Easy Healthy Broccoli Pasta
This Easy Healthy Broccoli Pasta is a quick weeknight dish featuring bright green broccoli florets and al dente pasta, enveloped in garlicky goodness, perfect for a wholesome meal any time of year.
Ingredients
Pasta and Broccoli
- 8 oz pasta (your choice — penne, fusilli, farfalle, or spaghetti) Any shape will do; shorter shapes hold the broccoli and sauce better.
- 2 cups broccoli florets (fresh or thawed from frozen) Fresh florets give the brightest texture; frozen is a perfectly fine substitute.
Cooking Base
- 2 tablespoons olive oil Use a good-quality extra virgin olive oil for flavor.
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
For Serving
- Grated Parmesan cheese Optional, adds savory richness.
Instructions
Cooking the Pasta
- Cook the pasta according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- Salt the pasta water generously to layer basic seasoning into the pasta.
Sautéing Ingredients
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat.
- Add garlic and red pepper flakes. Sauté for about 1 minute, stirring constantly.
- Add broccoli florets and sauté for 3–4 minutes until tender.
Combining Everything
- Combine the cooked pasta with the broccoli mixture and season with salt and pepper.
- Add a splash of reserved pasta cooking water to help the sauce cling to the noodles.
Serving
- Serve topped with grated Parmesan cheese if desired.
Notes
Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3–4 days. Refrigerate and reheat with water or broth to loosen the sauce.
Nutrition
Serving: 1gCalories: 350kcalCarbohydrates: 50gProtein: 12gFat: 10gSaturated Fat: 1.5gSodium: 200mgFiber: 4gSugar: 2g
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