Description
This light and healthy broccoli pasta recipe features tender broccoli florets mashed with garlic, olive oil, and parmesan cheese, creating a flavorful sauce that coats perfectly cooked shell pasta. With simple ingredients and a quick 35-minute prep, it’s a nutritious and satisfying meal ideal for a weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables and Pasta
- 1 large broccoli head, trimmed into small florets
- 12 ounces shell pasta
Seasonings and Oil
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 3 minced garlic cloves
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Cheese and Water
- 1 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup reserved broccoli cooking water
Instructions
- Cook the Broccoli: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the broccoli florets and cook for about 5 minutes until they turn tender. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the broccoli to a bowl, reserving 1/2 cup of the cooking water for later use.
- Prepare the Broccoli Mash: Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and crushed red pepper flakes, sautéing for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Add the cooked broccoli and the reserved cooking water to the skillet. Season with salt and black pepper. Cook for approximately 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the broccoli softens enough to be mashed easily with a spoon.
- Cook the Pasta: Using the same pot from boiling the broccoli water, add the shell pasta. Cook the pasta until al dente according to the package instructions, usually about 9-11 minutes. Drain the pasta thoroughly and set aside.
- Combine Pasta with Broccoli Mash: Transfer the drained pasta to the skillet containing the broccoli mash. Add the freshly grated parmesan cheese and stir well until all ingredients are combined into a creamy sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of the reserved broccoli water to loosen it to your desired consistency.
- Season and Serve: Taste the dish and adjust seasoning with additional salt and black pepper as needed. Serve immediately, garnished with extra parmesan cheese if desired.
Notes
- Use freshly grated parmesan for best flavor and melt.
- Reserve some pasta water if you need to loosen the sauce instead of just broccoli water.
- You can substitute shell pasta with other short pasta shapes like penne or fusilli.
- Adjust crushed red pepper flakes according to your preferred spice level.
- This dish is best served immediately but can be gently reheated with a splash of water or broth.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
