Homemade Healthy Broccoli Pasta
There is something deeply comforting about a bowl of pasta that feels like a warm hug but is actually packed with fresh, vibrant greens. This Easy Healthy Broccoli Pasta is exactly that—a silky, emerald-green sauce made from tender broccoli florets that perfectly coats every ridge of the pasta.
Ingredients
- 12 oz Orecchiette or shell pasta
- 2 large heads Broccoli cut into small florets
- 3 tbsp Extra virgin olive oil
- 4 cloves Garlic minced
- ½ cup Freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ tsp Red pepper flakes optional
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 tbsp Lemon juice
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
- Add pasta and broccoli florets together. Cook until pasta is al dente and broccoli is very tender (about 10–12 minutes).
- Reserve 1 cup of pasta water, then drain the pasta and broccoli.
- In the same pot, heat olive oil over medium. Sauté garlic and red pepper flakes for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Return the pasta and broccoli to the pot with the garlic oil.
- Add the parmesan and ½ cup of the reserved pasta water. Stir vigorously, mashing some of the broccoli as you go to create a creamy sauce.
- Add more pasta water if needed to reach your desired consistency.
- Stir in the lemon juice and season with salt and pepper.
- Serve immediately with an extra sprinkle of parmesan.