Easy Healthy Broccoli Pasta
This Easy Healthy Broccoli Pasta combines fresh broccoli with tender pasta, garlic, and a light sauce, making it a nutritious and delicious meal. It’s quick to prepare, budget-friendly, and easily customizable to fit various tastes and dietary needs.
- Prep Time: 10
- Cook Time: 15
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 1x
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz whole wheat pasta (or preferred type)
- 3 cups fresh broccoli florets
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 slices turkey bacon or chicken ham, chopped (optional)
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1/3 cup grated Parmesan or Pecorino cheese
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
- Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions.
- About 3 minutes before the pasta is done, add the broccoli florets to the boiling water with the pasta.
- Drain the pasta and broccoli together, reserving 1 cup of the pasta water.
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat.
- Add minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
- If using, add chopped turkey bacon or chicken ham to the skillet and cook until slightly crispy.
- Add the drained pasta and broccoli to the skillet and toss to combine.
- Gradually add reserved pasta water as needed to create a light sauce.
- Sprinkle in red pepper flakes (if using), and season with salt and black pepper.
- Stir in grated cheese until melted and evenly distributed.
- Serve immediately, garnished with additional cheese or fresh herbs if desired.
Notes
Adjust the amount of garlic and red pepper flakes based on your preference.
Substitute cheese with a vegan alternative for a dairy-free version.
Use gluten-free pasta to make the dish gluten-free.
Toasted nuts or fresh herbs can add texture and flavor variations.
Find it online: https://quickrecipetricks.com/easy-healthy-broccoli-pasta/