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Garlicky Lemon Broccoli Pasta Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 88 reviews

This Garlicky Lemon Broccoli Pasta is a bright and flavorful dish featuring tender broccoli florets sautéed with garlic and onions, tossed with pasta and a zesty lemon sauce. Enhanced with a touch of red pepper flakes for heat, fresh basil, and Parmesan cheese, it makes a quick and satisfying vegetarian meal perfect for any weeknight.

Ingredients

Scale

Base Ingredients

  • 1 pound pasta (penne, spaghetti, or your choice)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 small onion, chopped
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 pound broccoli, cut into florets
  • 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Zest and juice of 1 lemon
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Optional Garnish

  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
  • 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped (optional)

Instructions

  1. Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to the package directions until al dente. Before draining, reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta and set aside.
  2. Sauté the onion: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook for about 5 minutes until softened and translucent.
  3. Add garlic and red pepper flakes: Stir in the minced garlic and red pepper flakes if using, cooking for about 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
  4. Cook the broccoli: Add the broccoli florets and a pinch of salt to the skillet. Cover and cook for 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the broccoli is tender but still vibrant green.
  5. Combine pasta and broccoli: Add the cooked pasta back into the skillet with the broccoli. Pour in the reserved pasta water gradually to help loosen and create a light sauce that coats the pasta and vegetables.
  6. Add lemon and season: Stir in the lemon zest and lemon juice. Season generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste, mixing well to combine all flavors.
  7. Finish and serve: Toss everything together until evenly coated. Remove from heat and sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese and chopped fresh basil if desired. Serve the pasta hot for a refreshing, garlicky meal.

Notes

  • Reserve pasta water to help emulsify the sauce and bring the dish together.
  • For a spicier kick, increase or decrease red pepper flakes based on your preference.
  • Use gluten-free pasta to make this dish gluten-free.
  • Parmesan cheese and fresh basil add extra flavor but are optional to keep it lighter or vegan-friendly (omit cheese).
  • Cooking broccoli covered helps it steam and soften quickly while preserving color and nutrients.

Keywords: broccoli pasta, lemon pasta, garlic pasta, vegetarian pasta, easy weeknight dinner, Italian pasta recipes, healthy pasta dish

Find it online: https://leofoster.com/garlicky-lemon-broccoli-pasta-recipe/