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Light and Healthy Broccoli Pasta Recipe

Light and Healthy Broccoli Pasta Recipe
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★★★★★

4.8 from 18 reviews

A light and healthy broccoli pasta recipe featuring tender broccoli mashed with garlic and olive oil, combined with perfectly cooked shell pasta and freshly grated Parmesan cheese for a flavorful, satisfying meal that’s both nutritious and easy to prepare.

Ingredients

Scale

Vegetables and Aromatics

  • 1 large broccoli head, trimmed into small pieces
  • 3 minced garlic cloves

Pantry Staples

  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste

Pasta and Cheese

  • 12 ounces shell pasta
  • 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

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 they become tender. Once done, transfer the broccoli to a bowl and carefully reserve ½ cup of the cooking water before draining off the rest.
  2. Prepare the Broccoli Mash: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and crushed red pepper flakes, sautéing briefly until fragrant. Add the cooked broccoli along with the reserved cooking water. Season with salt and black pepper. Cook for approximately 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the broccoli softens enough to mash easily with a spoon, creating a flavorful mash.
  3. Cook the Pasta: Using the same pot, bring fresh salted water to a boil and add the shell pasta. Cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta thoroughly once cooked, reserving a small amount of pasta cooking water if needed.
  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 everything together until well combined. Adjust the sauce consistency by adding a splash of the reserved pasta cooking water if it feels too thick, ensuring the sauce coats the pasta evenly.
  5. Season and Serve: Taste the pasta and adjust seasoning with additional salt and black pepper if necessary. Serve immediately, garnished with extra Parmesan cheese for an enhanced flavor and delightful presentation.

Notes

  • Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese for best flavor and melting consistency.
  • Reserve some pasta water to adjust the sauce’s consistency as needed.
  • You can substitute shell pasta with penne or fusilli for similar results.
  • For a spicier dish, increase the amount of crushed red pepper flakes to taste.
  • To keep it vegetarian, ensure the Parmesan cheese used is free of animal rennet.

Nutrition

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

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