Description
Craving a healthy, creamy pasta? This Light and Healthy Broccoli Pasta offers a rich, flavorful sauce without heavy cream. With tender broccoli, fragrant garlic, and freshly grated Parmesan, it’s a quick, nutritious weeknight meal that’s easy to prepare and delicious to enjoy. Perfect for busy nights, this dish is healthy, satisfying, and full of fresh flavors!
Ingredients
1 large broccoli head, trimmed into small pieces
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
3 minced garlic cloves
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper
Salt and black pepper, to taste
12 ounces shell pasta (or any medium pasta shape)
1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
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Cook the broccoli: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the broccoli and cook for about 5 minutes until tender. Transfer to a bowl, reserving ½ cup of the broccoli cooking water.
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Prepare the sauce: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and crushed red pepper flakes. Stir in the cooked broccoli and reserved water. Season with salt and pepper. Cook for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the broccoli is soft enough to mash with a spoon.
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Cook the pasta: In the same pot, cook the pasta until al dente according to package instructions. Drain well.
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Combine the pasta and sauce: Transfer the cooked pasta to the skillet with the broccoli mash. Add the Parmesan cheese and toss to coat. Adjust the sauce by adding a splash of pasta water if needed.
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Taste and serve: Taste the pasta and adjust seasoning with more salt and pepper if desired. Serve immediately, topped with extra Parmesan cheese.
Notes
Add protein: Toss in grilled chicken, shrimp, or chickpeas to make this dish more substantial.
Use different cheese: Try pecorino Romano or sharp cheddar for a different flavor profile.
Add more veggies: Spinach, peas, or sun-dried tomatoes are great additions.
Make it spicy: Increase the crushed red pepper or add chili flakes for extra heat.
- Prep Time: 10-15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15-25 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Vegetarian, Healthy
- Method: Boiling, Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian, Mediterranean
