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Light and Healthy Broccoli Pasta Recipe

Light and Healthy Broccoli Pasta Recipe
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★★★★★

5.2 from 9 reviews

This Light and Healthy Broccoli Pasta is a simple, nutritious meal featuring tender broccoli blended into a flavorful mash with garlic and red pepper flakes, combined with al dente shell pasta and freshly grated Parmesan. It’s a light yet satisfying dish perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a wholesome lunch that packs a healthy dose of veggies.

Ingredients

Scale

Vegetables

  • 1 large broccoli head, trimmed into small pieces
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced

Pantry Items

  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • 12 ounces shell pasta

Dairy

  • 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

  1. Cook the Broccoli: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the broccoli pieces and cook for about 5 minutes until tender but still bright green. Once cooked, transfer the broccoli to a bowl and reserve ½ cup of the cooking water for later use.
  2. Prepare the Broccoli Mash: In a skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and crushed red pepper flakes, sautéing until fragrant, about 1-2 minutes. Add the cooked broccoli along with the reserved broccoli water into the skillet. Season with salt and black pepper. Cook for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the broccoli softens enough to be mashed easily with the back of a spoon.
  3. Cook the Pasta: Using the same pot of water that was used to cook the broccoli, add the shell pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta thoroughly once cooked.
  4. Combine Pasta with Broccoli Mash: Transfer the drained pasta into the skillet containing the broccoli mash. Add the freshly grated Parmesan cheese and stir until the pasta is well coated and the cheese melts into a creamy sauce. If the sauce seems too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water to reach desired consistency.
  5. Season and Serve: Taste the pasta and adjust the seasoning with additional salt and black pepper if needed. Serve immediately for best flavor and texture.

Notes

  • You can substitute Parmesan with a vegetarian hard cheese if preferred to keep it fully vegetarian.
  • The dish is best served fresh but can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days.
  • To make it vegan, substitute parmesan with nutritional yeast and omit cheese.
  • Reserve pasta water is essential to adjust sauce consistency without diluting flavor.
  • Adding a squeeze of lemon juice at the end brightens the flavors nicely.

Nutrition

Keywords: broccoli pasta, healthy pasta recipe, vegetarian pasta, light pasta dish, garlic broccoli pasta, easy weeknight dinner

Find it online: https://bakedbylisa.com/light-and-healthy-broccoli-pasta-recipe/