Description
A wholesome and vibrant Healthy Broccoli Pasta recipe featuring tender broccoli florets mashed and sautéed with garlic and red pepper flakes, combined with perfectly cooked shell pasta and finished with freshly grated Parmesan cheese. This easy-to-make dish balances nutritious vegetables with comforting pasta for a flavorful and satisfying meal in just 35 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables
- 1 large broccoli head, trimmed into small pieces
Pasta and Cheese
- 12 ounces shell pasta
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Seasonings and Oils
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 3 minced garlic cloves
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 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 they become tender and bright green. Once cooked, transfer the broccoli to a bowl using a slotted spoon, reserving ½ cup of the broccoli cooking water for later use.
- 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 to the skillet, season with salt and black pepper, and cook for around 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the broccoli is soft and can be easily mashed with a spoon.
- Cook the Pasta: Return the large pot of broccoli water to a boil and add the shell pasta. Cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta thoroughly once done.
- Combine Pasta with Broccoli Mash: Add the drained pasta to the skillet containing the broccoli mash. Sprinkle in the Parmesan cheese and stir everything together until the cheese melts and the pasta is well coated. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of reserved pasta water to loosen it.
- Season and Serve: Taste the finished pasta and adjust the seasoning with additional salt and black pepper if needed. Serve immediately, garnished with extra Parmesan cheese for enhanced flavor.
Notes
- Reserve some pasta cooking water to adjust the sauce consistency as needed.
- For extra protein, consider adding grilled chicken or sautéed tofu.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese for optimal flavor and melting quality.
- If you prefer a creamier sauce, add a splash of cream or substitute part of the pasta water with low-fat milk.
- This recipe is easily adaptable to gluten-free pasta alternatives.
