Description
Indulge in a comforting bowl of Creamy Broccoli Pasta, a delightful dish where tender pasta meets vibrant broccoli in a luscious cream sauce. This vegetarian main course is easy to make and bursting with flavor.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta:
- 12 oz pasta (penne, fettuccine, or your choice)
Broccoli:
- 4 cups fresh broccoli florets
Sauce:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Zest of 1 lemon (optional)
Garnish:
- Additional Parmesan and chopped parsley
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: In salted boiling water, cook pasta according to package instructions. Add broccoli in the last 3 minutes. Drain and set aside.
- Prepare the sauce: Sauté garlic in olive oil. Add cream, Parmesan, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 3–4 minutes.
- Combine: Add pasta and broccoli to the skillet. Toss to coat. Add lemon zest if desired.
- Serve: Top with Parmesan and parsley.
Notes
- For a lighter version, use half-and-half or milk instead of cream.
- Blend cooked broccoli with cream for a greener sauce.
- Enhance with grilled chicken or sautéed mushrooms for extra protein.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 470
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 240 mg
- Fat: 23 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 52 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 15 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg
