Description
This Healthy Broccoli Pasta Recipe combines tender broccoli and shell pasta in a flavorful garlic and red pepper-infused olive oil sauce, topped with freshly grated Parmesan cheese. It’s a nutritious and easy-to-make meal perfect for a quick weeknight dinner that is both satisfying and wholesome.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables
- 1 large broccoli head, trimmed into small pieces
Pasta
- 12 ounces shell pasta
Sauce and Seasoning
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 3 minced garlic cloves
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Cheese
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Cook the Broccoli: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the broccoli florets and cook for about 5 minutes until tender and bright green. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the broccoli to a bowl and reserve ½ cup of the broccoli cooking water for later.
- Sauté Aromatics and Cook Broccoli Mash: In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the cooked broccoli and reserved broccoli water, season with salt and pepper, and cook for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the broccoli is soft and can be mashed easily.
- Cook the Pasta: Bring the same pot of broccoli water back to a boil. Add the shell pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta thoroughly once cooked.
- Combine Pasta and Broccoli Mash: Add the drained pasta to the skillet with the broccoli mash. Sprinkle in the Parmesan cheese and stir until the cheese melts and the pasta is well coated. If the sauce feels too thick, loosen it by adding a splash of reserved pasta water.
- Season and Serve: Taste the pasta and adjust the seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed. Serve the pasta immediately, garnished with extra Parmesan cheese for added flavor.
Notes
- Reserve some pasta cooking water to help adjust the sauce consistency as needed.
- For a spicier dish, add more crushed red pepper flakes according to your preference.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese for the best flavor and texture.
- This dish can be made gluten free by substituting the shell pasta with gluten-free pasta.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stovetop.
