Description
Discover a nutritious and delicious Healthy Easy Broccoli Pasta that’s quick to prepare and packed with flavor. This wholesome pasta dish combines fresh broccoli, perfectly cooked pasta, and a flavorful garlic olive oil sauce, making it an ideal healthy lunch or dinner option. Easy to customize, vegetarian, and loaded with greens, this broccoli pasta is a family favorite for a reason!
Ingredients
Scale
- 200g of your favorite pasta (penne, fusilli, or spaghetti)
- 2 cups fresh broccoli florets
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan or nutritional yeast for a vegan option
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Juice of half a lemon
- Fresh basil or parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook until al dente. Drain, reserving a cup of pasta water.
- Steam or blanch the broccoli florets in boiling water for 2-3 minutes until vibrant and tender, or sauté in a skillet for extra flavor.
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add minced garlic and red pepper flakes, sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant but not burnt.
- Add cooked pasta and broccoli to the skillet. Toss together, adding reserved pasta water as needed to loosen the mixture. Season with salt, pepper, and lemon juice.
- Sprinkle with grated Parmesan or nutritional yeast and garnish with fresh basil or parsley. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days.
- Reheat gently in a pan or microwave, adding a splash of water or olive oil to retain moisture.
- Enhance flavor by drizzling additional olive oil or sprinkling extra cheese before serving.
- You can easily add grilled chicken or shrimp for more protein.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate (about 1 cup)
- Calories: 330 Kcal
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 310mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 8g
- Protein: 13g
- Cholesterol: 10mg