This simple and delicious Pasta with Broccoli is the perfect weeknight meal. With just a handful of ingredients, this pasta recipe comes together quickly, while still being packed with flavor.
The finely chopped broccoli blends beautifully with the garlic-infused olive oil and Parmesan cheese, creating a rich and satisfying vegetarian pasta dish. It’s a great way to get more vegetables into your meals, while keeping things easy and comforting.
Why You Should Make This Pasta with Broccoli
- Quick and Easy: Ready in about 20 minutes, this easy pasta recipe is ideal for busy weeknights.
- Minimal Ingredients: Made with simple pantry staples, no fancy ingredients required.
- Packed with Flavor: The garlic, red pepper flakes, and Parmesan cheese create a savory, slightly spicy taste that complements the broccoli perfectly.
- Versatile: Enjoy it as a main dish or serve it as a side with grilled chicken or shrimp.
- Healthy and Satisfying: Loaded with fiber and nutrients from fresh broccoli, plus a good dose of protein from Parmesan cheese.
Ingredients
- Fresh Broccoli: Easily substitute with frozen broccoli; just thaw and drain before using.
- Linguine or Spaghetti: Use any pasta shape, such as penne, fettuccine, or whole wheat pasta for added fiber.
- Olive Oil: Swap with avocado oil or butter for a slightly different flavor.
- Garlic: Substitute with one teaspoon garlic powder, if fresh isn’t available.
- Crushed Red Pepper Flakes: Adjust to taste, or replace with a pinch of cayenne for a different spice level.
- Parmesan Cheese: Use Pecorino Romano or nutritional yeast for a dairy-free option.
How to Prepare Pasta with Broccoli
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
- Finely chop the broccoli into small pieces.
- Add the pasta to the boiling water and cook until al dente.
- While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large pan over medium heat.
- Add minced garlic and crushed red pepper flakes, sautéing for about one minute, until fragrant.
- Stir in the chopped broccoli and season with salt and black pepper.
- Sauté for a few minutes, then add two ladles of starchy pasta water.
- Continue cooking the broccoli, breaking it down slightly with a spoon.
- When the pasta is al dente, transfer it directly to the pan with the broccoli.
- Sprinkle in half of the Parmesan cheese and add another ladle of pasta water. Toss to coat.
- Stir in the remaining cheese and add more pasta water, if needed to create a light sauce.
- Transfer to a serving bowl, garnish with Parmesan cheese, lemon zest, cracked black pepper, and a drizzle of olive oil.
How to Serve and Store Leftovers
Serve this Pasta with Broccoli alone as a vegetarian meal, or with any of the following:
- Protein Pairings: Serve with grilled or air fryer chicken, shrimp, air fryer salmon, or Italian sausage for a heartier meal.
- Side Dishes: A crisp green salad and/or garlic bread pairs perfectly.
How to Store Leftovers
- Refrigerate: Store leftover Pasta with Broccoli in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Reheat: Warm in a pan over low heat with a splash of water or olive oil to loosen the sauce.
- Freeze: Not recommended, as the texture of the broccoli may become too soft.
More Easy Pasta Recipes to Love
- Easy Creamy Pasta Primavera
- Cayenne Cream Shrimp Pasta
- Canned Tuna Pasta with Lemon
- Quick Rigatoni Pasta Pomodoro
- Creamy Tomato Orzo Pasta
- Quick Pasta alla Vodka
- Pasta with Anchovies with Walnut Breadcrumbs
Pasta with Broccoli
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
Pasta with Broccoli is the perfect weeknight meal. This pasta dish comes together quickly, is simple to prepare, and is packed with flavor.
Ingredients
- 3 cups finely chopped broccoli (about one small head) or 12-ounce bag of frozen broccoli
- 12 ounces linguine or spaghetti
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated, plus more for garnish
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- Drizzle of olive oil, for garnish
- 1 teaspoon cracked black pepper, for garnish
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
- Finely chop the broccoli into small pieces.
- Add the pasta to the boiling water and cook until al dente.
- While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large pan over medium heat.
- Add minced garlic and crushed red pepper flakes, sautéing for about one minute, until fragrant.
- Stir in the chopped broccoli and season with salt and black pepper.
- Sauté for a few minutes, then add two ladles of starchy pasta water.
- Continue cooking the broccoli, breaking it down slightly with a spoon.
- When the pasta is al dente, transfer it directly to the pan with the broccoli.
- Sprinkle in half of the Parmesan cheese and add another ladle of pasta water. Toss to coat.
- Stir in the remaining cheese and add more pasta water, if needed to create a light sauce.
- Transfer to a serving bowl, garnish with lemon zest, Parmesan cheese, cracked black pepper, and a drizzle of olive oil.
- Serve immediately.
- ENJOY!
Notes
- Easily substitute fresh broccoli with frozen (12-ounce bag). Be sure to thaw and drain excess water (Personally, I prefer using frozen).
- Use your favorite pasta shape.
- Be sure to salt the water for the pasta.
- Start cooking the pasta first, as you will need the starchy pasta water to cook down the broccoli.
- Adjust the spice level to your liking.
- Slowly incorporate the Parmesan cheese to avoid clumping.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Easy
- Cuisine: American/Italian
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WELCOME! My name is Melissa Latin aka. Charlotte Fashion Plate. Happy to meet you! I am more than just recipes. I love fashion and style too! Most importantly, I love my Family (my Hubby and my Fur Babies). My Husband (aka my “Kitchen Bitch”) means the world to me. He’s pretty damn cool too. Not only is he one of the nicest guys you will ever meet, he also has had a lengthy career in professional hockey. Not only winning two Stanley Cups with the Pittsburgh Penguins in the early ’90’s, but most recently winning the Calder Cup with the Charlotte Checkers, amongst many other accolades. If you live in Charlotte and play hockey, or have a family member who plays, be sure to contact him!
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2 Comments
[…] Be sure to remove all toothpicks. Serve and ENJOY! I paired mine with this amazing Broccoli Pasta. […]
[…] Be sure to remove all toothpicks. Serve and ENJOY! I paired mine with this amazing Broccoli Pasta. […]