Really Quick Broccoli Pasta
User Reviews
5
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Prep Time
5 mins
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Cook Time
10 mins
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Total Time
15 mins
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Servings
4
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Calories
634 kcal
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Course
Side Dish, Main Course
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Cuisine
American
Really Quick Broccoli Pasta
Description
This pasta recipe starts with boiling salted water to cook the pasta while adding chopped broccoli florets towards the last 1-2 minutes of cooking so they stay tender yet crisp. A sauce jar contains the sauce ingredients—lemon zest and juice, extra virgin olive oil, finely grated parmesan, minced garlic, mixed dried herbs, red pepper flakes, sugar, salt, and black pepper—which are combined and shaken with reserved pasta water to create a smooth dressing.
After draining, the pasta and broccoli return to the pot off the heat. The sauce and shredded cheese are added, and the mixture is stirred vigorously to coat the pasta with the seasoned, slightly creamy sauce. Adjusting seasoning or adding more pasta water can perfect texture and flavor balance. The dish is served immediately, garnished with additional parmesan.
This flexible recipe allows substitution of pasta types or cheese varieties, and the lemon adds a fresh note without dominating. The preparation is suitable for a quick main or side dish, with a combination of mild spice, herbaceousness, and creaminess from the cheese.
The recipe is designed to serve 4 as a main or 6-8 as a side. Substitutions for lemon acidity, herbs, or cheese are provided, as well as notes on scaling the amount of broccoli to taste.
Ingredients
- 350g / 12 oz short pasta I used small shells, dried
- 2 broccoli BIG!, heads
- 1 cup cheese shredded or more
Pasta Sauce (Notes for subs):
- 2 tsp lemon zest
- 2 tbsp lemon juice (or more!)
- 5 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1/3 cup parmesan , finely grated
- 2 garlic minced, cloves
- 1 tsp mixed dried herbs (or fresh!)
- 1/2 tsp+ red pepper flakes (add more if you want spicy!)
- 1 tsp sugar
- 3/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Serving:
- Parmesan Cheese more
Instructions
- Cook pasta: Boil a large pot of water with 2 tsp salt, add pasta.
While pasta is cooking:
- Chop broccoli: Chop broccoli into small florets.
- Cook broccoli: Add broccoli into water 1 - 2 minutes before pasta is cooked.
- Sauce ingredients in jar: Place Sauce ingredients in a jar with lid.
- Reserve pasta water: SCOOP OUT 1 cup pasta cooking water just before draining. Then drain and return pasta back into same pot on turned off stove.
- Add pasta water into Sauce: Add 1/2 cup pasta water to Pasta Sauce jar, shake well.
- Add Sauce & Cheese to pasta: Pour Sauce and add cheese into pot with pasta.
- Stir then serve! Stir vigorously, adding more pasta water if required. Add more salt and pepper if required. Serve immediately, garnished with parmesan.
Notes
- This recipe serves 4 as a main course or 6 to 8 as a side dish; adjust serving size as needed.
- Any short pasta shape works well, including macaroni, penne, or orecchiette.
- The broccoli amount can be increased or reduced based on preference, retaining good flavor and texture.
- Cheese should be melting type and flavorful; options include cheddar, gruyere, or Swiss; mozzarella requires extra salt.
- Fresh parmesan is used for flavor; pre-grated store-bought parmesan works if fresh is unavailable.
- Lemon flavors are subtle but can be increased to brighten the dish further; substitutions include mild vinegars.
- Garlic can be replaced with green onions or powders; herbs can be fresh or dried and varied according to taste.
- Red pepper flakes add optional heat; adjust amount to preference.
- The recipe includes tips for storing, scaling portions, and ingredient substitutions.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 4Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 634 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 634cal | 32% |
| Carbohydrates | 71g | 24% |
| Protein | 23g | 46% |
| Fat | 29g | 45% |
| Saturated Fat | 9g | 45% |
| Cholesterol | 31mg | 10% |
| Sodium | 768mg | 32% |
| Potassium | 609mg | 13% |
| Fiber | 6g | 24% |
| Sugar | 5g | 10% |
| Vitamin A | 1270IU | 25% |
| Vitamin C | 116.2mg | 129% |
| Calcium | 347mg | 35% |
| Iron | 2.4mg | 13% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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