Easy Healthy Broccoli Pasta (Printable)

Tender broccoli and whole wheat pasta tossed with garlic, lemon, and Parmesan in a light olive oil sauce. A quick, satisfying 30-minute meal.

# What You'll Need:

→ Pasta

01 - 12 oz whole wheat penne or fusilli

→ Vegetables

02 - 1 large head broccoli (about 1 lb), cut into small florets
03 - 2 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
04 - 1 small lemon (zest and juice)
05 - 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (optional)

→ Sauce & Seasonings

06 - 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
07 - 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
08 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

→ Cheese

09 - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (plus extra for serving; optional)

# Directions:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente.
02 - About 3 minutes before the pasta is done, add the broccoli florets to the pot. Cook until both pasta and broccoli are tender.
03 - Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta and broccoli.
04 - In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the garlic (and red pepper flakes, if using) and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
05 - Add the drained pasta and broccoli to the skillet. Toss to combine, adding reserved pasta water as needed to create a light sauce.
06 - Stir in lemon zest, lemon juice, and Parmesan cheese. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Remove from heat, sprinkle with parsley, and serve with extra Parmesan if desired.

# Helpful Tips:

01 -
  • It comes together in under 30 minutes but tastes like it took much longer
  • The broccoli cooks right in the pasta water for minimal cleanup
  • Lemon and garlic transform ordinary ingredients into something special
02 -
  • Do not skip reserving the pasta water, it is what makes this simple sauce work
  • Add broccoli at the right time so it does not turn into mush
  • Grate your own cheese, pre-grated Parmesan does not melt the same way
03 -
  • Use a microplane for the lemon zest to avoid the bitter white pith
  • If the sauce seems too tight, keep adding pasta water a tablespoon at a time
  • Leftovers reheat beautifully with a splash of water in the microwave

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