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A bowl of easy healthy broccoli pasta with fresh ingredients and herbs.

Broccoli Pasta

A quick and nutritious pasta dish tossed with broccoli, garlic, and a sprinkle of cheese, delivering flavor and comfort in under 20 minutes.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 300

Ingredients
  

Pasta and Broccoli
  • 8 oz pasta (spaghetti, penne, or fusilli)
  • 2 cups broccoli florets Trim and chop into similar size pieces
Flavorings and Toppings
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional) Add for some heat
  • 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese (optional)

Method
 

Cooking Pasta
  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
  2. Add the pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente.
  3. Before draining, scoop out and reserve about 1/4 cup of the cooking water.
  4. Drain the pasta and set it aside.
Sautéing Broccoli and Garlic
  1. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
  2. Add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes. Sauté for about 1 minute until the garlic is fragrant and just starting to color.
  3. Add the broccoli florets to the skillet. Season with salt and black pepper.
  4. Cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the broccoli is tender but still bright green.
Combining Pasta and Broccoli
  1. Add the drained pasta to the skillet with the broccoli. Toss or use tongs to combine.
  2. Add a splash of the reserved pasta water as needed to create a light sauce that coats the pasta.
  3. Taste and adjust seasoning. Serve hot with grated parmesan and torn basil leaves if desired.

Nutrition

Serving: 1Calories: 300kcalCarbohydrates: 45gProtein: 10gFat: 10gSaturated Fat: 1.5gSodium: 400mgFiber: 5gSugar: 2g

Notes

For a dairy free version, omit parmesan and stir in 1 to 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast for a cheesy note. Serve with a simple side salad or crusty bread for a complete meal.

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