Description
A light and healthy broccoli pasta recipe that combines tender broccoli with al dente pasta, garlic, red pepper flakes, and Parmesan cheese for a flavorful dish that’s both satisfying and nutritious.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Broccoli:
- 1 large broccoli head, trimmed into small pieces
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 3 minced garlic cloves
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
For the Pasta:
- 12 ounces shell pasta
- 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. 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 garlic, red pepper flakes, cooked broccoli, and reserved water. Season with salt and pepper. Cook for 10 minutes until soft enough to mash.
- Cook the Pasta: Cook pasta in the broccoli water until al dente. Drain thoroughly.
- Combine Pasta with Broccoli Mash: Mix drained pasta with broccoli mash. Add Parmesan cheese and stir until combined. Adjust sauce consistency with reserved pasta water.
- Season and Serve: Adjust salt and pepper to taste. Serve garnished with extra Parmesan cheese.
Notes
- You can add cherry tomatoes or grilled chicken for extra flavor and protein.
- Feel free to adjust the spice level by increasing or decreasing the amount of red pepper flakes.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 420 kcal
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 520mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 52g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
Keywords: broccoli pasta, healthy pasta recipe, vegetarian pasta, easy weeknight meal
