Light and Healthy Broccoli Pasta Recipe
A light and healthy broccoli pasta recipe featuring tender broccoli mashed with garlic and red pepper flakes, combined with al dente shell pasta and Parmesan cheese. This dish is flavorful, satisfying, and perfect for a quick weeknight dinner.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
For the Broccoli:
- 1 large broccoli head, trimmed into small pieces
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 3 minced garlic cloves
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
For the Pasta:
- 12 ounces shell pasta
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Cook the Broccoli: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the broccoli and cook for about 5 minutes until tender. Transfer the broccoli to a bowl and reserve ½ cup of the cooking water.
- Prepare the Broccoli Mash: In a skillet, heat olive oil. Add garlic, red pepper flakes, cooked broccoli, and reserved water. Season with salt and pepper. Cook for about 10 minutes until soft enough to mash.
- Cook the Pasta: Cook pasta in the reserved broccoli water until al dente. Drain.
- Combine Pasta with Broccoli Mash: Mix drained pasta with broccoli mash. Add Parmesan cheese and combine. Adjust consistency with reserved pasta water if needed.
- Season and Serve: Adjust seasoning, then serve, garnished with extra Parmesan.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 380 kcal
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 420mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
Keywords: broccoli pasta, healthy pasta recipe, vegetarian pasta, easy weeknight dinner
