Print

Light and Healthy Broccoli Pasta Recipe

Light and Healthy Broccoli Pasta Recipe
Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.7 from 20 reviews

This Light and Healthy Broccoli Pasta is a simple, wholesome dish that combines tender broccoli mashed with garlic and olive oil, tossed with al dente shell pasta and topped with freshly grated Parmesan cheese. It’s a nutritious, flavorful meal that is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a light lunch, emphasizing fresh, clean ingredients and minimal cooking time.

Ingredients

Scale

Vegetables

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

Pantry Staples

  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
  • Salt, to taste
  • 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. Carefully transfer the cooked broccoli to a bowl, reserving ½ cup of the broccoli cooking water for later use.
  2. Prepare the Broccoli Mash: Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and crushed red pepper flakes, sautéing briefly until fragrant. Add the cooked broccoli and reserved broccoli water, season with salt and black pepper, and cook for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the broccoli softens enough to be easily mashed with a spoon to form a mash-like consistency.
  3. Cook the Pasta: Using the same pot with the boiling water, add the shell pasta and cook according to the package directions 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 well to combine. If the mixture seems too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta cooking water to loosen the sauce to your preferred consistency.
  5. Season and Serve: Taste the combined pasta and broccoli mash, adjusting seasoning with additional salt and black pepper if necessary. Serve immediately, garnished with extra Parmesan cheese to enhance the flavor.

Notes

  • To make this dish vegan, substitute Parmesan cheese with a vegan cheese alternative or nutritional yeast.
  • Reserve pasta water carefully as it helps adjust the sauce consistency without diluting flavors.
  • You can use gluten-free pasta to tailor the dish to gluten-sensitive diets.
  • Adding crushed red pepper flakes adds a subtle heat; adjust quantity based on your spice preference.
  • Leftover broccoli pasta can be refrigerated for up to 2 days and reheated gently with a splash of water to maintain moisture.
  • Feel free to add toasted pine nuts or chopped fresh herbs like basil for extra texture and flavor.

Nutrition

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

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