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Light and Healthy Broccoli Pasta Recipe

Light and Healthy Broccoli Pasta Recipe
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★★★★★

5.1 from 28 reviews

This Light and Healthy Broccoli Pasta is a nutritious and flavorful dish featuring tender broccoli blended into a creamy mash that coats shell pasta, enhanced with garlic, red pepper flakes, and Parmesan cheese. It’s a perfect quick meal that balances vegetables and pasta for a satisfying yet light dinner option.

Ingredients

Scale

Vegetables and Seasonings

  • 1 large broccoli head, trimmed into small pieces
  • 3 minced garlic cloves
  • 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste

Oils and Cheese

  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Pasta

  • 12 ounces shell pasta

Instructions

  1. Cook the Broccoli: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the broccoli pieces and cook for about 5 minutes until tender. Once cooked, transfer the broccoli to a bowl and reserve ½ cup of the broccoli cooking water for later use.
  2. Prepare the Broccoli Mash: In a skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes. Then add the cooked broccoli along with the reserved broccoli water. Season with salt and pepper. Cook the mixture for approximately 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the broccoli softens enough to be easily mashed with a spoon.
  3. Cook the Pasta: Use the same pot that boiled the broccoli water to cook the shell pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta thoroughly once it is cooked.
  4. Combine Pasta with Broccoli Mash: Transfer the drained pasta into the skillet containing the broccoli mash. Add the freshly grated Parmesan cheese and stir well to combine all the ingredients evenly. If the sauce appears too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water to adjust the consistency.
  5. Season and Serve: Taste the pasta and adjust seasoning with additional salt and black pepper if desired. Serve immediately, garnished with extra Parmesan cheese for enhanced flavor.

Notes

  • Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese for the best flavor and melting quality.
  • Feel free to add a squeeze of lemon juice for a touch of brightness if desired.
  • To make this dish vegan, substitute Parmesan cheese with a plant-based cheese alternative or nutritional yeast.
  • Reserve pasta water is helpful to make the sauce creamier without adding extra fat.
  • This recipe is ideal for a light lunch or dinner and can be paired with a side salad or grilled chicken for added protein.

Nutrition

Keywords: broccoli pasta, healthy pasta recipe, light pasta dish, easy broccoli recipe, vegetarian pasta, low fat dinner, Italian pasta

Find it online: https://amayaharis.com/light-and-healthy-broccoli-pasta-recipe/