4.9 from 42 votes
Broccoli Pesto Pasta
This simple recipe is made with pasta, pesto, and steamed broccoli. Healthy meal in under 20 minutes. Dairy, Vegan, Gluten Free options. Kosher.
Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Total Time
20 mins
Servings:
6
servings
Calories:
500 kcal
Course:
Main Course
Cuisine:
Italian
Ingredients
- 1 pound spaghetti or vermicelli, or capellini, or angel hair pasta; whole wheat or gluten free pasta works great
- 1 1/2 pounds broccoli about 1 lb florets, cut from stalks into small florets
- 3/4 cup pesto with cheese or dairy-free
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- Parmesan Cheese grated; or pecorino; or vegan parmesan cheese
- salt to taste
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta to the boiling water and cook to desired tenderness, stirring frequently. See pasta package for instructions – cooking time will depend on the type of pasta you choose.
- While pasta is cooking, bring 3/4 cup water to a boil in a medium saucepan. Add broccoli florets to the pan and cover tightly with a lid.
- Let the broccoli steam for 2-5 minutes, or until tender and bright green.
- Remove from heat and drain in a colander.
- When the pasta is cooked, reserve about 1 cup of the cooking water in a separate bowl, then drain the pasta in a colander.
- In a medium mixing bowl, combine pesto, olive oil, and 1/2 cup of the reserved pasta water. Add additional pasta water to make the sauce more liquid, if desired. Season with salt to taste (if using dairy-free pesto, you may need more salt for flavor).
- Add the steamed broccoli to the pasta along with the pesto sauce. Toss the pasta and vegetables gently with the sauce to coat. Salt again to taste, if desired.
- Serve pasta topped with grated parmesan, pecorino, or vegan parmesan cheese. If you're vegetarian, be sure to choose parmesan with a vegetarian rennet. You can also sprinkle on a few red pepper flakes for a touch of spice, if desired.
Cup of Yum
Nutrition Information
Calories
500kcal
(25%)
Carbohydrates
66g
(22%)
Protein
14g
(28%)
Fat
20g
(31%)
Saturated Fat
3g
(15%)
Cholesterol
2mg
(1%)
Sodium
331mg
(14%)
Potassium
526mg
(11%)
Fiber
5g
(20%)
Sugar
4g
(8%)
Vitamin A
1330IU
(27%)
Vitamin C
101.1mg
(112%)
Calcium
119mg
(12%)
Iron
2mg
(11%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 6 servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 500
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 500kcal | 25% |
| Carbohydrates | 66g | 22% |
| Protein | 14g | 28% |
| Fat | 20g | 31% |
| Saturated Fat | 3g | 15% |
| Cholesterol | 2mg | 1% |
| Sodium | 331mg | 14% |
| Potassium | 526mg | 11% |
| Fiber | 5g | 20% |
| Sugar | 4g | 8% |
| Vitamin A | 1330IU | 27% |
| Vitamin C | 101.1mg | 112% |
| Calcium | 119mg | 12% |
| Iron | 2mg | 11% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.