Easy Healthy Broccoli Pasta (Printable Version)

Vibrant pasta with tender broccoli in garlic olive oil sauce—ready in 30 minutes.

# What You'll Need:

→ Pasta

01 - 12 oz whole wheat penne or fusilli

→ Vegetables

02 - 1 large head broccoli (about 1 lb), cut into small florets
03 - 2 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
04 - 1 small lemon, zest and juice extracted
05 - 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

→ Sauce & Seasonings

06 - 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
07 - 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
08 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

→ Cheese

09 - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus extra for serving

# Directions:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente.
02 - About 3 minutes before the pasta is done, add the broccoli florets to the pot. Cook until both pasta and broccoli are tender.
03 - Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta and broccoli thoroughly.
04 - In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the garlic and red pepper flakes, sautéing for 1 minute until fragrant.
05 - Add the drained pasta and broccoli to the skillet. Toss to combine, adding reserved pasta water as needed to create a light sauce consistency.
06 - Stir in lemon zest, lemon juice, and Parmesan cheese. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Remove from heat, sprinkle with parsley, and serve with extra Parmesan if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The broccoli steams right in the pasta water so you save time and dirty fewer dishes
  • A whole wheat pasta version still feels indulgent while keeping things light
  • Lemon and garlic transform humble ingredients into something restaurant worthy
02 -
  • Adding broccoli directly to the pasta water saves you from having to steam or roast separately
  • The reserved pasta water is what transforms this from dry pasta into a cohesive dish
  • Lemon juice should be added off the heat so the brightness does not cook away
03 -
  • Whole wheat pasta can take 1 to 2 minutes longer than white pasta so check the package
  • Slicing garlic instead of mincing prevents it from burning and becoming bitter
  • Warm your serving bowls in the oven for 5 minutes so the pasta stays hot longer

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