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Light and Healthy Broccoli Pasta Recipe

Light and Healthy Broccoli Pasta Recipe
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★★★★★

5.1 from 25 reviews

A light and healthy broccoli pasta recipe featuring a flavorful broccoli mash combined with al dente shell pasta and freshly grated Parmesan cheese, perfect for a nutritious weeknight meal.

Ingredients

Scale

Vegetables and Seasonings

  • 1 large broccoli head, trimmed into small pieces
  • 3 minced garlic cloves
  • 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
  • Salt, to taste
  • Black pepper, to taste

Oils and Dairy

  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Pasta

  • 12 ounces shell pasta

Instructions

  1. Cook the Broccoli: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the broccoli pieces and cook for about 5 minutes until tender. Once cooked, transfer the broccoli to a bowl and reserve ½ cup of the broccoli cooking water for later use.
  2. Prepare the Broccoli Mash: In a skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and crushed red pepper flakes, then the cooked broccoli along with the reserved broccoli water. Season with salt and pepper. Cook for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the broccoli softens enough to mash easily with a spoon.
  3. Cook the Pasta: Using the same pot with the salted water, add the shell pasta and cook until al dente according to the package instructions. Drain the pasta thoroughly once cooked.
  4. Combine Pasta with Broccoli Mash: Transfer the drained pasta into the skillet containing the broccoli mash. Add the freshly grated Parmesan cheese and stir gently until well combined. Adjust the sauce consistency by adding a splash of the reserved pasta water if it is too thick.
  5. Season and Serve: Taste the pasta and adjust seasoning with additional salt and black pepper as needed. Serve immediately for best flavor.

Notes

  • You can use gluten-free pasta if you prefer a gluten-free version.
  • For extra protein, consider adding grilled chicken or chickpeas.
  • Freshly grated Parmesan cheese provides better flavor than pre-grated varieties.
  • Reserve some pasta water before draining to help adjust the sauce consistency perfectly.
  • To make it vegan, substitute Parmesan with a plant-based cheese alternative or nutritional yeast.

Nutrition

Keywords: broccoli pasta, healthy pasta, light pasta dish, vegetarian pasta, easy broccoli recipe, weeknight dinner

Find it online: https://servedbynora.com/light-and-healthy-broccoli-pasta-recipe/