Broccoli Pasta
Broccoli Pasta is a quick and easy 30 minute dinner made with fresh broccoli, garlic, olive oil, Parmesan, and pasta water mashed into a creamy green sauce. Simple ingredients, big flavor, and endlessly customizable.
Servings: 4
Calories: 531kcal
Ingredients
- 1 head broccoli large, cut into small florets
- 2 tablespoons olive oil extra virgin
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- salt and pepper to taste
- 12 ounces pasta such as penne
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese freshly grated
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Add the broccoli and cook for 5 minutes. Transfer cooked broccoli to a bowl. Reserve ½ cup of broccoli water.
- Add the olive oil, garlic, red pepper flakes, salt, pepper, cooked broccoli and the reserved broccoli water to the skillet and cook for 10 minutes until you can easily mash the broccoli with a spoon.
- In the same pot with broccoli water add the pasta and cook until al dente.
- Drain the pasta and add to the skillet with the broccoli mash along with the parmesan cheese. Stir everything together and add more pasta water if the sauce is too thick.
- Taste for seasoning and adjust with salt and pepper as needed and serve garnished with additional parmesan cheese.
Video
Notes
- Broccoli: Fresh gives the best color and flavor. Frozen works too, just expect a softer sauce.
- Salt the water: Season the broccoli and pasta water generously to build flavor from the start.
- Save some water: Use the reserved broccoli and pasta water to thin the sauce or reheat leftovers.
- Pasta choice: Short pasta like orecchiette or penne holds the sauce well.
- Parmesan: Grate it fresh so it melts smoothly into the sauce. Pre grated cheese will not give the same result.
- Add protein: This pasta is vegetarian as is but works well with grilled chicken, shrimp, or even crispy bacon.
- Storage: Keeps in the fridge for up to 5 days. Reheat gently with a splash of water or broth.
Nutrition
Serving: 1serving | Calories: 531kcal | Carbohydrates: 75g | Protein: 24g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 17mg | Sodium: 458mg | Potassium: 705mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 1179IU | Vitamin C: 136mg | Calcium: 390mg | Iron: 3mg
