Description
Smashed Broccoli Pasta is a quick and healthy pasta dinner made with garlic, lemon, parmesan, and olive oil. This one-pot meal is creamy, vibrant, and perfect for busy weeknights. A comforting vegetarian recipe packed with flavor.
Ingredients
2 heads broccoli
12 oz short pasta (orecchiette, shells, or rigatoni)
4 cloves garlic, sliced
3 tbsp olive oil
1 lemon, zest and juice
1 cup parmesan cheese, grated
1 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
Salt, to taste
Instructions
1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add broccoli florets and cook for 5-6 minutes until tender.
2. Remove broccoli with a slotted spoon and set aside. In the same water, cook pasta until just al dente. Reserve 1 cup pasta water.
3. In a large pan, heat olive oil and add sliced garlic. Cook on low until fragrant.
4. Add cooked broccoli to the pan. Use a wooden spoon or masher to smash it. Stir in lemon juice, zest, and a splash of pasta water.
5. Add drained pasta to the broccoli mix. Stir in parmesan and more pasta water until saucy.
6. Season with salt and red pepper flakes. Serve hot.
Notes
Add more lemon if you like a brighter flavor.
Use a potato masher for the best broccoli texture.
Save some extra parmesan to sprinkle before serving.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (1/4 of recipe)
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 480mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 65g
- Fiber: 6g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 15mg