Description
A simple and flavorful broccoli pasta recipe featuring tender broccoli mashed into a garlicky sauce and combined with Parmesan cheese for a creamy, satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 1 head broccoli (large, cut into small florets)
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
Pantry Items
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (extra virgin)
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- salt and pepper (to taste)
- 12 ounces pasta (such as penne)
Dairy
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese (freshly grated)
Instructions
- Boil Broccoli: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and add the broccoli florets. Cook for 5 minutes until tender, then transfer the broccoli to a bowl and reserve ½ cup of the broccoli cooking water.
- Sauté and Mash Broccoli: In a skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add minced garlic, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper, then add the cooked broccoli and reserved water. Cook and mash the broccoli with a spoon for about 10 minutes until smooth and aromatic.
- Cook Pasta: In the same pot used for broccoli, bring the reserved cooking water back to a boil and add the pasta. Cook until al dente according to package instructions.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Drain the pasta and add it to the skillet with the mashed broccoli mixture. Stir in the freshly grated Parmesan cheese and mix well. If the sauce is too thick, add some reserved pasta water to achieve the desired consistency.
- Season and Serve: Taste the pasta and adjust the seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed. Serve garnished with extra Parmesan cheese for a rich finish.
Notes
- Broccoli: Fresh broccoli provides the best color and flavor; frozen broccoli is a suitable substitute but results in a softer sauce.
- Salt the water generously when boiling broccoli and pasta to enhance overall flavor.
- Reserve some cooking water to thin the sauce or reheat leftovers smoothly.
- Use short pasta shapes like penne or orecchiette that hold the sauce well.
- Grate Parmesan fresh to ensure it melts smoothly—pre-grated cheese won’t give the same creamy texture.
- Add protein such as grilled chicken, shrimp, or crispy bacon for a non-vegetarian option.
- The pasta keeps well in the fridge for up to 5 days; reheat gently with a splash of water or broth to restore creaminess.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 400 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 350 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 50 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 16 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg
