Description
This Light and Healthy Broccoli Pasta recipe features whole wheat or gluten-free pasta combined with tender broccoli florets, sautéed garlic, and a hint of lemon juice for bright flavor. Finished with Parmesan or nutritional yeast and fresh parsley, it’s a quick, nutritious, and satisfying 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 Seasonings
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Juice of 1 lemon
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Finishing Ingredients
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese or nutritional yeast (optional for vegan version)
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to the package instructions for al dente texture.
- Add Broccoli: In the last 3 minutes of the pasta cooking time, add the chopped broccoli florets directly into the boiling water with the pasta to cook until tender but still crisp.
- Sauté Garlic: While pasta and broccoli cook, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and red pepper flakes if using, sautéing for 1–2 minutes until fragrant but not browned.
- Drain Pasta and Broccoli: Drain the pasta and broccoli together, reserving about 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water to use later for sauce consistency.
- Toss with Garlic Oil: Transfer the drained pasta and broccoli to the skillet with garlic oil. Toss well to evenly coat the mixture in the flavorful oil.
- Add Lemon and Season: Stir in fresh lemon juice, season the pasta with salt and pepper to taste, and add a splash of the reserved pasta water if needed to loosen the sauce.
- Finish and Serve: Remove the skillet from heat. Sprinkle the pasta with grated Parmesan cheese or nutritional yeast and chopped fresh parsley before serving to add richness and freshness.
Notes
- For a vegan version, substitute Parmesan cheese with nutritional yeast.
- Adjust the amount of red pepper flakes to control the level of heat.
- Using whole wheat or gluten-free pasta adds nutritional value and caters to dietary preferences.
- Reserve pasta water as it helps to bind the sauce and keep the pasta moist.
- You can swap fresh parsley for basil or oregano for a different herb flavor.
