Description
This Healthy Broccoli Pasta recipe features tender broccoli florets blended into a flavorful, garlicky mash that coats al dente shell pasta, topped with freshly grated Parmesan cheese. It’s a wholesome, easy-to-make dish perfect for a nutritious weeknight meal that balances veggies and carbs with a light, savory sauce.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables
- 1 large broccoli head, trimmed into small pieces
- 3 minced garlic cloves
Pasta
- 12 ounces shell pasta
Other Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Cook the Broccoli: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the broccoli florets and cook for about 5 minutes, or until tender and bright green. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the broccoli to a bowl, reserving ½ cup of the cooking water for later.
- Prepare the Broccoli Mash: In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and crushed red pepper flakes, sautéing until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the cooked broccoli and reserved broccoli water; season with salt and black pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, for about 10 minutes until the broccoli softens enough to mash easily with a spoon.
- Cook the Pasta: Bring the reserved broccoli water back to a boil, then add the shell pasta. Cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain pasta thoroughly once cooked.
- Combine Pasta with Broccoli Mash: Add the drained pasta to the skillet containing the broccoli mash. Sprinkle in the Parmesan cheese and stir well until the cheese melts and the pasta is evenly coated. If the sauce seems too thick, add a splash of reserved pasta water to loosen it.
- Season and Serve: Taste the pasta and adjust salt and black pepper as needed. Serve immediately, garnished with additional Parmesan cheese for extra flavor.
Notes
- You can substitute the Parmesan cheese with a vegetarian hard cheese if desired.
- To make it spicier, increase the crushed red pepper flakes to taste.
- Reserve some pasta water carefully, as it helps adjust the sauce consistency.
- This dish pairs well with a simple green salad or crusty bread.
- Leftovers keep well refrigerated for up to 2 days and can be reheated gently on the stovetop or microwave.
