Lemony Garlic Broccoli Pasta with Parmesan
This vibrant and flavorful pasta dish combines al dente pasta and tender-crisp broccoli with a zesty lemon-garlic sauce, finished with savory Parmesan cheese.
Equipment
- Large pot
- Large skillet or Dutch oven
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 12 ounces whole wheat or preferred pasta
- 1 large head of broccoli
- 2-3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1/2 cup vegetable broth or pasta water, reserved
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese plus more for serving
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes optional, for a kick
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Optional Garnishes
- toasted pine nuts
- fresh basil
- extra lemon zest
Instructions
Cooking Steps
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil, then add pasta and cook until al dente according to package directions.
- Four minutes before the pasta finishes cooking, add broccoli florets to the boiling pasta water until tender-crisp.
- While pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat, then sauté minced garlic and red pepper flakes for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
- Before draining, reserve 1 cup of pasta water, then drain pasta and broccoli and add to the skillet with garlic and oil.
- Pour in broth, lemon juice, and Parmesan, tossing vigorously to emulsify. Add reserved pasta water as needed to reach desired consistency.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper, then serve immediately with optional garnishes.
Notes
For extra flavor, toast the pine nuts lightly in a dry pan before adding them as a garnish. You can also vary the amount of red pepper flakes to suit your spice preference.