Description
This light and healthy broccoli pasta recipe combines whole wheat or gluten-free pasta with fresh broccoli florets, garlic, and a zesty lemon dressing. Enhanced with olive oil, red pepper flakes, and a sprinkle of Parmesan or nutritional yeast, it’s a quick, nutritious, and flavorful meal perfect for a wholesome weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Vegetables
- 12 oz whole wheat or gluten-free pasta
- 1 large head of broccoli, chopped into florets
Sauce and Seasoning
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Juice of 1 lemon
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Toppings
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan or nutritional yeast (optional for vegan version)
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Boil Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to the package instructions.
- Cook Broccoli: In the last 3 minutes of cooking the pasta, add the broccoli florets to the boiling water to cook them until tender-crisp.
- Sauté Garlic: While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes (if using) and sauté for 1–2 minutes until fragrant, ensuring not to burn the garlic.
- Drain Pasta and Broccoli: Drain the pasta and broccoli, reserving 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water to adjust sauce consistency later.
- Toss Ingredients: Add the drained pasta and broccoli to the skillet with the garlic oil. Toss them thoroughly so everything is evenly coated with the fragrant oil.
- Add Lemon and Season: Stir in the lemon juice, season with salt and pepper to taste, and add a splash of the reserved pasta water if needed to loosen the mixture and create a light sauce.
- Finish and Serve: Remove the skillet from heat and sprinkle the pasta with Parmesan cheese or nutritional yeast and chopped fresh parsley. Serve immediately.
Notes
- You can substitute the broccoli with other green vegetables like asparagus or green beans.
- For a vegan version, use nutritional yeast instead of Parmesan cheese.
- If you prefer a spicier dish, increase the amount of red pepper flakes.
- Reserve some pasta water to adjust the sauce’s consistency to your liking.
- This dish pairs well with a light green salad or crusty bread.
