Description
A quick and healthy meal idea featuring pasta and broccoli, perfect for a nutritious dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 ounces pasta (spaghetti or penne)
- 2 cups broccoli florets
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. In the last 3 minutes of cooking, add the broccoli florets to the pot. Drain the pasta and broccoli, reserving 1/2 cup of the pasta water.
- In the same pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes (if using) and sauté for about 1 minute, until fragrant.
- Return the drained pasta and broccoli to the pot. Add the reserved pasta water, salt, black pepper, Parmesan cheese, and lemon juice. Toss everything together until well combined and heated through.
- Serve immediately, garnished with fresh parsley and additional Parmesan cheese if desired.
Notes
- For added protein, consider adding cooked chicken or chickpeas to the pasta before serving.
- Experiment with different vegetables such as spinach, asparagus, or cherry tomatoes for a colorful twist.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Boiling and Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 5mg