Light and Healthy Broccoli Pasta
A delicious and nutritious dish combining fresh broccoli and comforting pasta, perfect for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 large head broccoli, trimmed into small pieces
- 12 ounces penne pasta
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Flavoring Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 3 cloves minced garlic
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions
Cooking the Pasta and Broccoli
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
- Add the penne pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente.
- In the last 3 minutes of cooking, add the broccoli pieces to the pot.
- Once cooked, drain the pasta and broccoli, reserving a little pasta water.
Sautéing and Combining
- In the same pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat.
- Add minced garlic and crushed red pepper, sautéing for about 1 minute until fragrant.
- Return the drained pasta and broccoli to the pot, tossing with the garlic oil and adding salt and black pepper to taste.
- If the pasta seems dry, add a bit of the reserved pasta water.
- Stir in freshly grated Parmesan cheese until melted and well combined.
Serving
- Serve immediately while warm, topped with additional Parmesan cheese and fresh herbs if desired.
Notes
Use whole-grain pasta for added fiber, add other vegetables for variety, or experiment with different cheeses for new flavors.