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A vibrant bowl of easy healthy broccoli pasta topped with cheese and herbs.

Easy Healthy Broccoli Pasta

A quick and nutritious pasta dish featuring fresh broccoli, garlic, and lemon, perfect for the whole family.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 350
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 8 oz whole wheat spaghetti
  • 2 cups broccoli florets (fresh or frozen)
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil Use high-quality extra virgin for best flavor.
  • 3 cloves garlic (minced)
  • 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes Adjust to taste
  • 1 zest lemon
  • 1 tablespoon juice of lemon
  • to taste Salt and pepper
  • to serve Grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
  • to garnish Fresh parsley (chopped)

Method
 

Cooking the Pasta
  1. In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil. Add the spaghetti and cook according to package instructions until al dente, usually about 8-10 minutes.
Blanching the Broccoli
  1. When the pasta has about 3 minutes left to cook, add the broccoli florets to the pot.
Preparing the Oil Mixture
  1. In a large skillet over medium heat, warm the olive oil. Add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes. Sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant.
Combining Ingredients
  1. Once the pasta and broccoli are cooked, drain them, reserving a cup of pasta water. Add the drained pasta and broccoli to the skillet with the garlic oil.
Finishing Touches
  1. Toss everything together, adding reserved pasta water a little at a time to achieve desired consistency. Stir in the lemon zest and juice, then season with salt and pepper.
Serving
  1. Plate the Easy Healthy Broccoli Pasta, sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese if desired, and garnish with fresh parsley. Enjoy immediately!

Notes

Don’t overcook the broccoli; you want it tender but still vibrant. This meal stores well in the fridge for up to 3 days.