Description
A light and healthy broccoli pasta recipe that combines tender broccoli with al dente penne pasta, flavored with garlic, red pepper flakes, and Parmesan cheese for a satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Broccoli:
- 1 large broccoli head, trimmed into small pieces
Broccoli Mash:
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 3 minced garlic cloves
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Pasta:
- 12 ounces penne pasta
Additional:
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Cook the Broccoli – Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the broccoli and cook for about 5 minutes until tender. Transfer the broccoli to a bowl and reserve ½ cup of the broccoli cooking water.
- Prepare the Broccoli Mash – In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add garlic, red pepper flakes, cooked broccoli, and reserved water. Season with salt and pepper. Cook for 10 minutes until the broccoli is soft enough to mash.
- Cook the Pasta – Cook pasta in the same pot with broccoli water until al dente. Drain thoroughly.
- Combine Pasta with Broccoli Mash – Mix drained pasta with broccoli mash. Add Parmesan cheese and adjust sauce consistency with reserved pasta water if needed.
- Season and Serve – Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Serve garnished with Parmesan cheese.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 420mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 55g
- Fiber: 6g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
Keywords: broccoli pasta, healthy pasta recipe, vegetarian pasta, broccoli mash
