Description
A simple and nutritious pasta dish featuring tender broccoli, garlic, and a savory olive oil and Parmesan sauce. This light recipe is the perfect weeknight dinner—packed with veggies and flavor, without heavy cream or cheese!
Ingredients
- For the Broccoli and Pasta:
- 1 large broccoli head, trimmed into small pieces
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 3 minced garlic cloves
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 12 ounces shell pasta (or pasta of your choice)
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Cook the Broccoli: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the broccoli and cook for about 5 minutes, until tender. Once cooked, transfer the broccoli to a bowl and reserve ½ cup of the broccoli cooking water.
- Prepare the Broccoli Mash: In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the garlic and a pinch of red pepper flakes, followed by the cooked broccoli and reserved broccoli water. Season with salt and pepper. Cook for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the broccoli becomes soft enough to mash easily with a spoon.
- Cook the Pasta: Using the same pot with the broccoli water, add your choice of pasta and cook until al dente according to package instructions. Drain the pasta thoroughly once cooked.
- Combine Pasta with Broccoli Mash: Transfer the drained pasta into the skillet with the broccoli mash. Add Parmesan cheese and stir everything together until well combined. Adjust the consistency of the sauce by adding a splash of reserved pasta water if it appears too thick.
Notes
- You can use whole wheat or gluten-free pasta for a healthier alternative.
- For added flavor, try adding a squeeze of lemon juice or zest before serving.
- To make this vegan, substitute Parmesan with a plant-based alternative.
- Prep Time: 10-15 minutes
- Cook Time: undefined
- Category: Dinner, Vegetarian
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 13g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 6g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 5mg
