Description
This light and healthy broccoli pasta recipe combines whole wheat or gluten-free pasta with fresh broccoli, garlic-infused olive oil, and a bright lemon finish. It’s a quick and nutritious meal perfect for those seeking a flavorful dish with minimal ingredients and effort, finished with optional Parmesan or nutritional yeast for a vegan twist.
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, then add the pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente for best texture.
- Add Broccoli: In the last 3 minutes of the pasta cooking time, add the broccoli florets directly to the boiling water to cook until tender.
- Sauté Garlic: While the pasta and broccoli cook, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and red pepper flakes if using, sautéing for 1 to 2 minutes until fragrant but not browned.
- Drain: Drain the pasta and broccoli together, reserving about 1/2 cup of the starchy pasta water to adjust sauce consistency later.
- Toss in Skillet: Add the drained pasta and broccoli to the skillet with the garlic olive oil. Toss well to coat everything evenly with the infused oil.
- Season and Finish: Stir in the fresh lemon juice, season with salt and pepper to taste, and add a splash of reserved pasta water if the pasta seems dry to loosen the mixture.
- Add Toppings: Remove the skillet from heat and sprinkle the dish with grated Parmesan or nutritional yeast and the chopped fresh parsley just before serving for added flavor and color.
Notes
- For a vegan version, omit Parmesan and use nutritional yeast instead.
- You can substitute broccoli with other green vegetables like asparagus or green beans if preferred.
- Reserve pasta water is key to creating a light sauce that clings to the pasta without added cream or butter.
- Adjust red pepper flakes based on your spice preference.
