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    Recipes » Main Course Recipes » Pasta

    Broccoli Pasta

    Published: May 30, 2023 by Marissa Stevens · 18 Comments

    VegetarianQuick Meals

    This post may contain affiliate links.

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    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
    • Recipe Video
    • 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 generous splash of fresh lemon juice and/or a teaspoon or two of lemon zest.
    • Broccoli lover? Increase the amount of 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
    • Chicken Broccoli Pasta
    • Pasta Aglio e Olio
    • Broccoli Rabe and Sausage Pasta  

    Serve as a Side to:

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

    How to Make Broccoli Pasta

    Cook pasta until al dente according to package directions; reserve 1 ½ cups 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 (see recipe note for softer broccoli option). Add cooked pasta, remaining olive oil, red pepper flakes and ½ 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.

    Recipe Video

    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 3 votes
    Save Recipe Saved! Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Cook Time 10 minutes mins
    Total Time 20 minutes mins
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine Italian
    Servings 4
    Calories 508 kcal
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients
      

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

    Instructions
     

    • Cook spaghetti until al dente according to package instructions, reserving 1 ½ cups 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 (see recipe note #1 for softer broccoli). Add cooked pasta, remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil, red pepper flakes and ½ cup of the reserved pasta water (plus more as desired); 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.

    Notes

    1. At this point the broccoli will be crisp-tender. If you prefer a softer broccoli, add 2 tablespoons of the pasta cooking water and cover to steam to your desired tenderness (2 to 4 minutes or longer), adding more water if needed. Then add cooked pasta and proceed with recipe.
    2. If you have leftover pasta, save any remaining cooking water to add to the pan while reheating.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 508kcalCarbohydrates: 62gProtein: 20gFat: 21gSaturated Fat: 6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 12gCholesterol: 14mgSodium: 532mgPotassium: 550mgFiber: 5gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 947IUVitamin C: 102mgCalcium: 325mgIron: 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.

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      Pancetta Pasta
    • Sausage and Peppers Pasta served in a dark bowl in a moody scene and photographed from an angle.
      Sausage and Peppers Pasta
    • Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta served in a white ceramic bowl photographed at an angle.
      Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta
    • ragu sauce with pasta served in a white bowl
      Ragu Sauce

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Lorraine says

      October 17, 2023 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

        October 18, 2023 at 11:07 am

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

        Reply
    2. Samantha Lewis says

      October 15, 2023 at 6:23 pm

      5 stars
      It was great.

      Reply
      • Marissa Stevens says

        October 16, 2023 at 10:58 am

        So glad you enjoyed it, Samantha!

        Reply
    3. Joanna says

      October 11, 2023 at 7:40 pm

      Made this and it didn’t turn out good. Despite the much added pasta water and oil, it was very dry and not enjoyable. Only thing I changed was the type of pasta as I used grain free cassava spaghetti

      Reply
      • Marissa Stevens says

        October 12, 2023 at 3:50 pm

        Oh no, Joanna! I haven't tested this recipe with alternative pastas, so I'm not sure how that would effect the dish. I'm sorry this one wasn't what you were hoping for.

        Reply
    4. Tom says

      July 24, 2023 at 4:30 pm

      This was good. I think I used a little too much pasta so my pasta to Broccoli ratio was a little off. I took your advice and added lemon and lemon zest and sun dried tomatoes for nice pop of color. Also I deglazed the pan with a little white wine.

      Reply
      • Marissa Stevens says

        July 25, 2023 at 8:34 am

        I'm so glad you enjoyed it and made it your own, Tom!

        Reply
    5. David @ Spiced says

      June 13, 2023 at 4:02 am

      5 stars
      I love easy weeknight dinners like this one! We often just roast broccoli (sometimes with a bit of soy sauce), but I'm always looking for ways to mix it up. I love pasta, so this definitely needs to become a staple in our house, too!

      Reply
      • Marissa Stevens says

        June 13, 2023 at 2:52 pm

        That's great, David! I hope you and your family will love it!

        Reply
    6. 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
    7. 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
    8. 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
    9. 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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