Easy Pasta with Broccoli Recipe

If you are looking for something to make in less than fifteen minutes, then there is nothing better than our easy pasta with broccoli. You will love the broccoli pasta recipe because it will ensure that you get a delicious meal in no time. On the days you feel lazy and don’t need to add much effort, this will prove to be your saving grace.

The best part is that most of these ingredients will already be in your pantry. So you will not have to indulge in additional shopping for pasta. Instead, just take out the ingredients, follow the guidelines, and whip up pasta in no time.

Ingredients for Pasta with Broccoli Recipe

• 350 grams of dried short pasta
• One cup of shredded cheese
• Two big broccoli heads
• Two tablespoons of lemon juice
• Two teaspoons of lemon zest
• 1/3 cup of grated parmesan
• One teaspoon of dried and mixed herbs
• Two cloves of garlic
• Five tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil
• Half a teaspoon of red pepper flakes
• Half a teaspoon of pepper
• ¾ teaspoon of salt
• One teaspoon of sugar

Instructions for Broccoli Pasta Recipe

1. Take a large pot of water and bring it to a boil with two teaspoons of salt, and add the pasta.

2. As the pasta is cooking, you can chop the broccoli into small florets.

3. Then, add broccoli to water for one or two minutes before your pasta is completely cooked.

4. Place all ingredients except the pasta, shredded cheese, and broccoli inside a jar with a lid.

5. Turn off the heat on the pasta, and take out one cup of water to save it for later. Then, drain the remaining water and return the pasta to the same pot.

6. Add the cheese and the sauce ingredients in the jar into the pot.

7. Stir everything together, and you can also add the pasta water if the sauce is too thick. You can also add more salt and pepper if you want.

8. Finally, serve the pasta and garnish it with some grated parmesan.

Tips and Tricks for Cooking Broccoli Pasta

Here are some top tips to help you complement the taste of this pasta and make the most out of this dish:

1. Serve It With The Right Proteins

You don’t have to stick to the pasta with broccoli on its own. Instead, you can also serve it with some other mains and keep this pasta as a side dish. In addition, there are various types of protein dishes that will go incredibly well with our pasta.

We recommend that you serve it with marinated pork chops, pan-fried fish, chicken thighs, garlic butter mushrooms, and much more. Just pick the meat that you like the most and serve this pasta as a side with that dish. It will allow you to get the most out of this dish and use other dishes to complement the taste.

2. Use Lemon For A Tangy Flavor

If this pasta is too plain for you, then you can use other ingredients to give it the kick you desire. For example, the best way to give it a tangy flavor is to add some lemon to the dish. Of course, this is optional, but it will make the flavor fresher if that is what you want.

Keep in mind that the lemon will not add a strong flavor. Instead, it will mix well with the other flavors and ensure a nice background for your dish. So you will not have to add too much oil for the right flavor.

3. Experiment With Different Cheeses

There are various types of cheeses you can add to the broccoli pasta, depending on what you prefer. However, we recommend that you opt for any type of melting cheese. These include Swiss, Monterey Jack, Gruyere, and more.

On the other hand, if you are adding mozzarella cheese, you might need to add more salt to your dish. So, make sure that you select the right cheese that provides you with a perfect balance of taste.

4. Add A Protein To Make It More Filling

If you have more time on your hands and you want to make the pasta more filling, then you can add protein. Some of the top proteins that will go well with this pasta include chicken, salmon, ham, duck, turkey, and much more. The secret is to add some lean protein to the dish.

You can also add meatballs if you want to make this recipe unique. Keep in mind that it might take you a few tries to see what goes best with this dish. However, once you get the hang of it, you will create an incredible recipe in no time.

5. Add Vegetarian Protein

Of course, you don’t have to add protein if you don’t like eating meat. If you want to keep this dish vegetarian, then you can also find alternative sources of protein to this pasta. A great vegetarian protein that will pair well with our broccoli pasta is tofu.

The taste complements the broccoli and pasta incredibly well, and it will make the dish even more filling. So, make sure that you decide if you require protein and choose one that suits your preferences best.

6. Store It In The Fridge

If you want to consume this recipe later, you can always store it in the fridge for later consumption. You can store the leftovers inside an airtight container and keep them in the fridge. Keep in mind that it will last for three to four days in the fridge, so you can consume it before this time to ensure the best taste and freshness.

Whenever you want to reheat the pasta, you can just toss it inside the microwave for thirty seconds. It will make the pasta warm enough for you to consume it without worrying about freshness. We recommend that you don’t store this pasta in the freezer as the sauce might lose its integrity. 

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