Description
Easy Healthy Broccoli Pasta is a wholesome 30-minute dinner featuring tender broccoli, garlic, Parmesan cheese, olive oil, and fresh lemon for a light yet satisfying family meal.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz pasta
- 1 large broccoli head, cut into florets
- 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup reserved pasta water
- 1 tbsp butter (optional)
- 1/4 cup chopped parsley
- 1/4 cup sliced basil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1/4 cup toasted pine nuts (optional)
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes (optional)
- 2 cups baby spinach (optional)
Instructions
1. Bring salted water to a boil and cook pasta until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water.
2. Add broccoli during the final 3 minutes of cooking. Drain together.
3. Heat olive oil and sauté garlic for 1 minute.
4. Add butter, lemon juice, lemon zest and reserved pasta water.
5. Add pasta and broccoli. Toss well.
6. Mix in Parmesan cheese until melted.
7. Season with salt, pepper and red pepper flakes.
8. Stir in parsley and basil.
9. Top with pine nuts and additional Parmesan.
10. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Use whole wheat pasta for extra fiber.
- Add grilled chicken or shrimp for more protein.
- Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Reheat with a splash of water or broth.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 430mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 52g
- Fiber: 7g
- Protein: 16g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
Keywords: Easy Healthy Broccoli Pasta, healthy pasta, broccoli pasta recipe