Bang-Up Broccoli Pasta

Name: Bang-Up Broccoli Pasta
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 20 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 2 cloves Garlic, finely chopped; 2 tbsp Olive Oil; 40g Parmesan, finely grated; to taste Black pepper, freshly ground; 1 tsp salt, for the cooking water, plus extra to season; 1 Lemon, zested and juiced; 300g Broccoli, cut into small florets; 400g Pasta, dried pasta

A quick, fresh pasta supper with tender broccoli, garlic, lemon and Parmesan.

20 mins Serves 4On the Hob

Ingredients ↓Method ↓

Ingredients

2 cloves Garlic, finely chopped
2 tbsp Olive Oil
40g Parmesan, finely grated
to taste Black pepper, freshly ground
1 tsp salt, for the cooking water, plus extra to season
1 Lemon, zested and juiced
300g Broccoli, cut into small florets
400g Pasta, dried pasta

Method

5 mins prep15 mins cook20 mins total

Bring a large saucepan of salted water to the boil. Cook the pasta according to the packet instructions, adding the broccoli for the final 2 minutes.
Reserve about 150ml of the pasta water, then drain the pasta and broccoli well.
Return the saucepan to a medium heat and add the olive oil and garlic. Cook for 1 minute, just until the garlic smells fragrant.
Tip the pasta and broccoli back into the pan. Add the lemon zest, lemon juice and Parmesan, then toss with enough reserved pasta water to make a light sauce.
Season with the salt and freshly ground black pepper, then serve with a little extra Parmesan.

Notes

This recipe is incredibly versatile and welcomes additions such as chilli flakes for heat or anchovies for a deeper umami flavor. For a complete meal, consider adding grilled chicken or shrimp. The beauty of this dish lies in its simplicity and the freshness of its ingredients, so aim for the best quality produce to truly make it shine.

About this recipe

This simple broccoli pasta makes a fresh, satisfying meal from a short list of everyday ingredients. The broccoli cooks alongside the pasta, then everything is tossed with garlic, lemon, olive oil and Parmesan.

Reserve some pasta water before draining so the cheese and lemon become a light, glossy sauce. Finish with black pepper and serve straight away.