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Creamy broccoli pasta in a skillet, topped with parmesan cheese.

Light and Healthy Broccoli Pasta

A delicious and nutritious pasta dish featuring broccoli, garlic, and Parmesan cheese, perfect for a quick and healthy meal.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Course: main dish
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 450
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 large head broccoli trimmed into small pieces
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper
  • to taste salt and black pepper
  • 12 ounces penne pasta
  • 1 cup parmesan cheese freshly grated

Method
 

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the penne pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
  2. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
  3. Add the broccoli pieces to the skillet, season with salt, black pepper, and crushed red pepper. Cook for 5-7 minutes until tender but crisp.
  4. Combine the cooked pasta, broccoli mixture, and reserved pasta water in the skillet. Toss everything together for 2-3 minutes to combine.
  5. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese and serve immediately.

Notes

For the best flavor, use fresh broccoli and high-quality Parmesan cheese. Adjust the amount of red pepper according to your desired level of spiciness.