Easy Broccoli Pasta with Garlic and Parmesan
Easy Broccoli Pasta with Garlic and Parmesan is a quick, comforting dinner ready in 20 minutes. After making this many times, I’ve perfected the trick to keep it from turning mushy. The result is a cozy, better-than-takeout meal my family begs for. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Fresh Apple Tortellini Salad with Strawberries and Greens and Moist Banana Bread Brownies with Chocolate Chips.
Why This Easy Broccoli Pasta with Garlic and Parmesan Is Pure Comfort
- Quick and easy to make
- Better than takeout taste
- Creamy garlic parmesan sauce
- Customizable with your favorite add-ins
What You'll Need for Easy Broccoli Pasta with Garlic and Parmesan
Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.
- Broccoli florets
- Pasta
- Garlic
- Parmesan cheese
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Red pepper flakes (optional)
- Olive oil
- Optional: Reserved pasta water
- Optional: Pine nuts
- Optional: Sun-dried tomatoes
- Optional: Chicken or shrimp
đź“ť Ingredient Notes
- Broccoli: Use fresh broccoli for best results. Frozen can make the pasta soggy.
đź›’ Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Stainless Steel Pasta Pot — Even heating for perfect pasta every time. → See on Amazon
- Microplane Zester — Effortlessly grates garlic and parmesan for smooth, flavorful sauce. → See on Amazon
How to Make Easy Broccoli Pasta with Garlic and Parmesan
- Cook pasta: Boil salted water and cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
- Sauté garlic: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute.
- Add broccoli: Add broccoli florets to the skillet, season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using). Cook until broccoli is tender-crisp, about 3-4 minutes.
- Toss with pasta: Add drained pasta to the skillet, tossing to combine with broccoli and garlic. Add reserved pasta water as needed to create a creamy sauce.
- Finish with cheese: Stir in grated parmesan cheese until melted and creamy. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve immediately with your choice of toppings.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Easy Broccoli Pasta with Garlic and Parmesan
- : For extra flavor, use homemade vegetable or chicken broth instead of water for cooking the pasta.
- Common mistake and fix: Avoid overcooking the broccoli to prevent it from turning mushy. Keep an eye on it and remove from heat as soon as it's tender-crisp.
- : To make this dish vegetarian or vegan, omit the parmesan cheese or use a plant-based alternative.
- : For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free pasta or replace pasta with cooked quinoa or rice.
Storing & Reheating Easy Broccoli Pasta with Garlic and Parmesan
Short-Term Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Make-ahead tip: The broccoli and garlic can be cooked ahead of time and reheated before adding the pasta and cheese.
Freezing Easy Broccoli Pasta with Garlic and Parmesan
Freezing is not recommended as it can make the pasta soggy.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for 10-15 minutes, stirring halfway through. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a one-pot meal, cook the pasta directly in the skillet with the broccoli and garlic, adding more water as needed.
- Best substitution: Substitute broccoli with cauliflower or green beans for a similar texture and flavor.
- Make-ahead: Prepare the ingredients ahead of time, but wait to cook until ready to serve for the best texture and flavor.
- Scaling: This recipe can easily be doubled or tripled to serve a larger crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If the sauce is too thick, add more reserved pasta water or a little milk to reach your desired consistency.
Want to level up this recipe?
Stainless Steel Skillet — Even heat distribution for perfect sautéing and cooking of garlic and broccoli. → Check price on Amazon
Easy Broccoli Pasta with Garlic and Parmesan
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- Broccoli florets
- Pasta
- Garlic
- Parmesan cheese
Seasonings
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Red pepper flakes (optional)
- Olive oil
Optional Toppings
- Reserved pasta water
- Pine nuts
- Sun-dried tomatoes
- Chicken or shrimp
Instructions
- Cook pasta: Boil salted water and cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
- Sauté garlic: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute.
- Add broccoli: Add broccoli florets to the skillet, season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using). Cook until broccoli is tender-crisp, about 3-4 minutes.
- Toss with pasta: Add drained pasta to the skillet, tossing to combine with broccoli and garlic. Add reserved pasta water as needed to create a creamy sauce.
- Finish with cheese: Stir in grated parmesan cheese until melted and creamy. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve immediately with your choice of toppings.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a one-pot meal, cook the pasta directly in the skillet with the broccoli and garlic, adding more water as needed.
- Best substitution: Substitute broccoli with cauliflower or green beans for a similar texture and flavor.
- Make-ahead: Prepare the ingredients ahead of time, but wait to cook until ready to serve for the best texture and flavor.
- Scaling: This recipe can easily be doubled or tripled to serve a larger crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If the sauce is too thick, add more reserved pasta water or a little milk to reach your desired consistency.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Freezing is not recommended as it can make the pasta soggy.
- Oven reheat: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for 10-15 minutes, stirring halfway through.
- Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through.
- Make ahead: The broccoli and garlic can be cooked ahead of time and reheated before adding the pasta and cheese.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 420
- Protein: 18g
- Fat: 12g
- Carbs: 60g
- Fiber: 6g
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Cholesterol: 20mg
- Sat. Fat: 4g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Easy Broccoli Pasta with Garlic and Parmesan FAQs
While you can prepare the ingredients ahead of time, it's best to cook the pasta and broccoli just before serving for the best texture and flavor.
Overcooking the broccoli can cause it to become mushy. Keep an eye on it and remove from heat as soon as it's tender-crisp.
Freezing is not recommended as it can make the pasta soggy. It's best to enjoy this dish fresh.
While you can cook the broccoli in the air fryer, the pasta is best cooked in boiling water. Combine them in a skillet on the stove for the best results.
For a vegetarian or vegan version, use nutritional yeast or a plant-based parmesan alternative. For a dairy-free version, omit the cheese or use a dairy-free alternative.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Easy Broccoli Pasta with Garlic and Parmesan and see how effortlessly it comes together. When you make it, pop back here and leave a rating or share how it turned out — I love hearing from you!
