Healthy Broccoli Pasta: A Quick, Creamy Dinner Delight!
A quick and creamy pasta dish packed with nutritious broccoli, perfect for a weeknight dinner.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Pasta
- Method: Boiling and Blending
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz short pasta (like shells, rigatoni, or orecchiette)
- 2 cups broccoli florets (fresh or frozen)
- 1 garlic clove
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese (plus more for topping)
- ¼ cup Greek yogurt or ricotta (optional for creaminess)
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- Juice of ½ lemon
- ¼ cup reserved pasta water (for blending)
Instructions
- Boil Broccoli & Pasta Together: Cook broccoli and pasta in one pot for an easy dinner idea and less mess! Drain when pasta is al dente and broccoli is fork-tender.
- Blend the Green Sauce: In a blender, combine broccoli, garlic, Parmesan, olive oil, lemon juice, and seasoning. Blend with a splash of pasta water until creamy – this is the ultimate healthy pasta hack!
- Make it Creamy (Optional): For a smoother texture and extra richness, stir in a scoop of Greek yogurt or ricotta. It’s the best creamy pasta twist without heavy cream!
- Toss & Heat It Up: Combine sauce with pasta in the same pot and stir over low heat. Add more pasta water if needed for a silky finish. It’s a quick weeknight win every time.
- Top & Serve: Serve with extra Parmesan and cracked pepper on top. This one’s a veggie-packed crowd pleaser your whole crew will love.
Notes
- Feel free to use any short pasta you have on hand.
- Adjust the amount of garlic according to your taste.
- This dish can be made vegan by omitting the cheese and yogurt.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: ~360
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: ~14g
- Cholesterol: 10mg