Description
A light and healthy broccoli pasta recipe that combines tender broccoli with flavorful parmesan cheese, garlic, and red pepper flakes, tossed with al dente shell pasta.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Broccoli:
- 1 large broccoli head, trimmed into small pieces
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 3 minced garlic cloves
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
For the Pasta:
- 12 ounces shell pasta
- 1 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Cook the Broccoli – Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the broccoli and cook for about 5 minutes until tender. Transfer the broccoli to a bowl and reserve ½ cup of the broccoli cooking water.
- Prepare the Broccoli Mash – Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add garlic, red pepper flakes, cooked broccoli, and reserved broccoli water. Season with salt and pepper. Cook for about 10 minutes until the broccoli is soft enough to mash.
- Cook the Pasta – Cook the pasta in the broccoli water until al dente. Drain the pasta.
- Combine Pasta with Broccoli Mash – Mix drained pasta with broccoli mash in the skillet. Add Parmesan cheese and combine. Adjust sauce consistency with reserved pasta water.
- Season and Serve – Adjust salt and pepper as needed. Serve garnished with extra Parmesan cheese.
Notes
- You can add grilled chicken or shrimp for a protein boost.
- Feel free to sprinkle some fresh herbs like parsley or basil on top for added freshness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 420 kcal
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
Keywords: broccoli pasta, healthy pasta recipe, vegetarian pasta, easy dinner idea
