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Broccoli Chickpea Pasta with Garlic Olive Oil Recipe

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★★★★★

4.7 from 143 reviews

This Broccoli Chickpea Pasta with Garlic Olive Oil is a quick, nutritious, and flavorful vegetarian dish featuring tender pasta tossed with sautéed broccoli, protein-rich chickpeas, and a fragrant garlic-infused olive oil sauce. Enhanced with a touch of red pepper flakes and a hint of lemon juice, this meal delivers a perfect balance of taste and health, suitable for a wholesome weeknight dinner.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta

  • 250g Pasta (penne, rotini, or fusilli)

Vegetables & Legumes

  • 300g Broccoli Florets (fresh or frozen)
  • 1 can (400g) Chickpeas, drained & rinsed

Flavorings & Liquids

  • 4–5 cloves Garlic, minced
  • 60ml Olive Oil
  • ¼ teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes
  • 60ml Vegetable Broth
  • 1 tablespoon Lemon Juice

Finishing & Seasoning

  • 30g Grated Parmesan Cheese (optional)
  • Salt & Black Pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta until al dente according to package instructions. Reserve ½ cup of the pasta cooking water before draining the pasta thoroughly.
  2. Sauté garlic and spices: In a large pan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes, sautéing for about 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
  3. Cook broccoli: Add the broccoli florets to the pan and cook for 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the broccoli is tender-crisp and bright green.
  4. Add chickpeas and liquids: Stir in the chickpeas, vegetable broth, and lemon juice. Let the mixture simmer gently for 2–3 minutes to blend the flavors and heat through.
  5. Combine pasta and sauce: Add the drained pasta to the pan with the broccoli and chickpeas. Toss well to combine everything evenly. If the sauce seems too thick, gradually add some reserved pasta water to loosen it up to preferred consistency.
  6. Season and serve: Season the dish with salt and black pepper to taste. Sprinkle the grated Parmesan cheese over the top if using, and serve the pasta warm immediately.

Notes

  • You can use any short pasta shapes like penne, rotini, or fusilli for best texture.
  • Fresh broccoli gives the best texture, but frozen broccoli works well if thawed and drained carefully.
  • Adjust the amount of red pepper flakes according to your heat preference.
  • Parmesan cheese is optional and can be omitted for a vegan version; nutritional yeast adds a similar umami flavor as a substitute.
  • Reserved pasta water helps create a silky sauce by mixing pasta starch into the olive oil and broth.
  • Ensure not to overcook broccoli to keep some bite and nutrients intact.

Keywords: Broccoli pasta, Chickpea pasta, Garlic olive oil pasta, Vegetarian pasta recipe, Healthy pasta dish

Find it online: https://www.sanacooks.com/broccoli-chickpea-pasta-with-garlic-olive-oil-recipe/