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    Recipes » Main Course Recipes » Pasta

    Broccoli Pasta

    Published: May 23, 2022 by Marissa Stevens · 10 Comments

    VegetarianQuick Meals

    This post may contain affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe
    broccoli pasta served in a white bowl

    Broccoli Pasta is one of those weeknight dinner recipes that I've learned by heart. Made with just a few simple ingredients that I always have on hand, it's a 20 minute meal that I can always turn to.

    Broccoli Pasta served in a white bowl photographed from above.

    Tender broccoli and toasted garlic tossed with pasta and finished with a gentle kick of spice and a sprinkle of cheese: what's not to love? It's a pasta dish that strikes a great balance between decadent and wholesome, because broccoli is the star. What a versatile and delicious vegetable! You can steam it, sauté it, roast it, and even add it to soups. It's one of those powerhouse cruciferous vegetables that packs a fiber and nutrient dense punch, so I feel good about including this in our regular meal rotation.

    Jump to:
    • Ingredients You Need to Make Broccoli Pasta
    • Recipe Options
    • More Must Try Pasta Dishes
    • Serve as a Side to:
    • How to Make Broccoli Pasta
    • Broccoli Pasta
    • 💬 Comments

    Ingredients You Need to Make Broccoli Pasta

    Broccoli Pasta Ingredients on a white marble board.
    • Spaghetti: or other long, thin pasta
    • Olive Oil: ideally extra virgin olive oil
    • Garlic: fresh, large garlic cloves
    • Broccoli: cut into small florets
    • Red Pepper Flakes
    • Kosher Salt and Freshly Ground Black Pepper 
    • Parmesan Cheese: or Pecorino Romano

    Recipe Options

    • Add brightness with a splash of fresh lemon juice and/or a teaspoon or two of lemon zest.
    • Broccoli lover? Double the broccoli (as I often do).
    • Add leftover rotisserie chicken or pan fry diced chicken breast along with the garlic and broccoli in step 2 of the recipe.
    • Top with torn leaves of fresh basil to add an herbaceous element to the dish.
    • Stir in chopped sun-dried tomatoes for added depth of flavor.
    • Swap in crumbled feta cheese or goat cheese for the parmesan.

    More Must Try Pasta Dishes

    • Lemon Garlic Pasta
    • Pasta Aglio e Olio
    • Bucatini all'Amatriciana
    • Broccoli Rabe and Sausage Pasta  

    Serve as a Side to:

    • Chicken Kabobs in the Oven
    • Bacon Wrapped Pork Chops
    • Roasted Lamb Chops 

    How to Make Broccoli Pasta

    Cook pasta until al dente according to package directions; reserve 1 cup of cooking water.

    boiling dry spaghetti noodles in a stainless steel pot of boiling water

    Meanwhile, in a large, non-stick skillet over medium heat, cook and stir garlic, broccoli and kosher salt in 2 tablespoons of hot olive oil until broccoli is tender and garlic is lightly browned, about 5 minutes. Add cooked pasta, remaining olive oil, red pepper flakes and ¼ cup or more of the reserved pasta water; cook and stir until heated through. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Transfer to serving bowl and serve with parmesan cheese sprinkled evenly over the top.

    cooking broccoli and garlic in a skillet.
    cooked broccoli and garlic in skillet.
    broccoli pasta ready to serve.
    Broccoli Pasta served in a white bowl photographed from above.
    Broccoli Pasta served in a white bowl photographed from above.

    Broccoli Pasta

    Marissa Stevens
    A quick and easy, crowd pleasing pasta made with fresh broccoli and a handful of pantry staples that you probably have on hand!
    5 from 1 vote
    Save Recipe Saved! Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 10 mins
    Total Time 20 mins
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine Italian
    Servings 4
    Calories 513 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 12 ounces spaghetti or other long, thin pasta
    • ¼ cup olive oil divided
    • 2 large garlic cloves thinly sliced
    • ½ pound broccoli cut into small florets
    • ¼ teaspoon kosher salt plus more to taste
    • ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes or more
    • freshly ground black pepper to taste
    • 2 ounces finely grated Parmesan cheese

    Instructions
     

    • Cook spaghetti until al dente according to package instructions, reserving 1 cup of the cooking water.
    • When pasta has about 5 minutes left to cook, heat 2 tablespoons of the olive oil in a large, non-stick skillet over medium heat. Add garlic, broccoli and kosher salt; cook and stir until broccoli is tender and garlic is lightly browned, about 5 minutes (take care not to burn the garlic). Add cooked pasta, remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil, red pepper flakes and ¼ cup of the reserved pasta water (plus more as needed); cook and stir until heated through, 2 to 3 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Transfer to serving bowl and sprinkle parmesan cheese evenly over the top; serve.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 513kcalCarbohydrates: 68gProtein: 18gFat: 19gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 11gCholesterol: 10mgSodium: 401mgPotassium: 393mgFiber: 4gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 538IUVitamin C: 51mgCalcium: 216mgIron: 2mg
    Keyword comfort food
    Tried this recipe?I'd love to see it! Tag me on Instagram at @pinchandswirl or leave me a comment and rating below.

    More Pasta

    • Garlic Butter Noodles
    • Shrimp Fra Diavolo
    • Tuna Pasta
    • Spaghetti alla Puttanesca

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Lorraine says

      May 26, 2022 at 2:14 am

      I made this last night, and both me and my husband loved it! My husband told me afterwards that he really didn't expect to like it---but he loved it. I used a little more garlic, added fresh lemon juice, freshly shredded Parmesan and topped it with lime zest. I didn't have any parsley, but I bet that would be nice too. Thanks for this simple and delicious recipe! LA

      Reply
      • Marissa Stevens says

        May 26, 2022 at 11:07 am

        That's wonderful to hear, Lorraine! Thank you for coming back to let me know.

        Reply
    2. Valentina says

      May 25, 2022 at 12:11 pm

      I love delicious and healthy meals like this, that you can turn to in a pinch, or just when you want a delicious dinner. Lovely. 😊 ~Valentina

      Reply
      • Marissa Stevens says

        May 26, 2022 at 11:07 am

        Thank you, Valentina!

        Reply
    3. Ben | Havocinthekitchen says

      May 24, 2022 at 5:07 pm

      Beautiful spring / summer dish with a simple yet fresh and elegant flavour profile. I definitely love the idea to use to lemon, too.

      Reply
      • Marissa Stevens says

        May 30, 2022 at 9:35 am

        Thanks so much, Ben!

        Reply
    4. angiesrecipes says

      May 23, 2022 at 10:49 am

      So fresh and inviting!

      Reply
      • Marissa Stevens says

        May 23, 2022 at 11:59 am

        Thank you, Angie!

        Reply
    5. David @ Spiced says

      May 23, 2022 at 6:17 am

      5 stars
      We make something pretty similar on the regular here in our house - main difference is we use roasted garlic. It's quick, easy and the flavors are spot on. I love this recipe, Marissa!

      Reply
      • Marissa Stevens says

        May 23, 2022 at 12:00 pm

        I'll never say no to roasted garlic! Thanks, David.

        Reply

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