Quick Broccoli Pasta
This Quick Broccoli Pasta is a delicious, nutritious, and easy-to-make meal that combines tender pasta with vibrant broccoli and a hint of garlic. Perfect for busy weeknights, it’s ready in under 30 minutes!
Equipment
- 1 large pot for boiling pasta
- 1 colander for draining
- 1 large skillet
- 1 wooden spoon or spatula
- 1 measuring cups and spoons
Ingredients
- 12 ounces pasta of choice penne, fusilli, or spaghetti
- 4 cups fresh broccoli florets
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes optional
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
- Juice of 1 lemon optional
- Fresh parsley, chopped for garnish optional
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, usually around 8-10 minutes.
- During the last 3 minutes of the pasta cooking time, add the broccoli florets to the boiling pasta water. This will blanch the broccoli and keep it vibrant green.
- Reserve 1 cup of pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta and broccoli in a colander.
- In the same pot (or in a large skillet), heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes (if using) and sauté for about 1 minute, until fragrant.
- Return the drained pasta and broccoli to the skillet. Toss everything together, adding reserved pasta water a little at a time until you reach your desired sauce consistency.
- Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese and season with salt and black pepper to taste. If desired, drizzle with lemon juice for an extra zing.
- Serve immediately, garnished with fresh parsley if desired.
Notes
Feel free to mix in other vegetables like cherry tomatoes or spinach for added nutrition.
For a vegan option, substitute Parmesan with nutritional yeast or a vegan cheese alternative.