Easy Broccoli Pasta Recipe with Garlic and Parmesan
Easy Broccoli Pasta with Garlic and Parmesan is a 20-minute, better-than-takeout dinner. After making this many times, I discovered the trick to perfectly crispy broccoli. The fresh, garlicky aroma will make your kitchen cozy. Keep reading for my best tips, or jump to the recipe card. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Easy Hot and Sour Noodle Soup and Refreshing Spring Celery Apple Juice.
Why This Easy Broccoli Pasta Recipe with Garlic and Parmesan Is Pure Comfort
- Better than takeout taste at home
- Ready in just 20 minutes
- Crispy broccoli and rich garlic butter
- Perfect for busy weeknights
What You'll Need for Easy Broccoli Pasta Recipe with Garlic and Parmesan
Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.
- 12 oz (340g) pasta
- 4 cups (280g) broccoli florets
- 4 cloves garlic
- 1/2 cup (55g) grated Parmesan
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Red pepper flakes (optional)
- Olive oil
- Optional: Fresh basil
- Optional: Red pepper flakes
đź“ť Ingredient Notes
- pasta: Any shape works, I prefer penne or fusilli
- broccoli: Cut into bite-sized florets
đź›’ Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Stainless Steel Pasta Pot — Even heat distribution for perfect pasta → See on Amazon
- Garlic Press — Effortless garlic mincing → See on Amazon
How to Make Easy Broccoli Pasta Recipe with Garlic and Parmesan
- Boil Pasta: 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 cook 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 crisp-tender, about 5 minutes.
- Toss with Pasta: Add cooked pasta and reserved pasta water to the skillet. Toss to combine, adding more pasta water if needed to reach your desired consistency.
- Stir in Cheese: Remove from heat and stir in grated Parmesan until melted and creamy. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
- Serve: Divide pasta among plates, garnish with fresh basil (if using), and serve immediately.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Easy Broccoli Pasta Recipe with Garlic and Parmesan
- Common mistake and fix: Don't overcook the broccoli. It should still have a bite to it. If it's too soft, it will become mushy when tossed with the pasta.
- Pro tip: Use reserved pasta water to adjust the sauce consistency. It adds starch and helps the cheese melt better.
- Pro tip: For a spicy kick, add red pepper flakes to the garlic oil before adding the broccoli.
- Pro tip: For a vegetarian version, omit the Parmesan or use nutritional yeast for a cheesy flavor.
Storing & Reheating Easy Broccoli Pasta Recipe with Garlic and Parmesan
Short-Term Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Make-ahead tip: You can prep the broccoli and garlic ahead of time, but cook the pasta just before serving.
Freezing Easy Broccoli Pasta Recipe with Garlic and Parmesan
Freeze individual portions for up to 1 month.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for 10-15 minutes. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a creamy version, stir in 1/2 cup of heavy cream with the Parmesan.
- Best substitution: Use cauliflower florets as a substitute for broccoli.
- Make-ahead: Cook the pasta and broccoli separately, then combine and reheat when ready to serve.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or halved.
- Troubleshooting: If the sauce is too thick, add more pasta water. If it's too thin, cook it on the stove for a few more minutes to reduce.
Want to level up this recipe?
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Easy Broccoli Pasta Recipe with Garlic and Parmesan
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 12 oz (340g) pasta
- 4 cups (280g) broccoli florets
- 4 cloves garlic
- 1/2 cup (55g) grated Parmesan
Seasonings
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Red pepper flakes (optional)
- Olive oil
Optional Toppings
- Fresh basil
- Red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Boil Pasta: 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 cook 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 crisp-tender, about 5 minutes.
- Toss with Pasta: Add cooked pasta and reserved pasta water to the skillet. Toss to combine, adding more pasta water if needed to reach your desired consistency.
- Stir in Cheese: Remove from heat and stir in grated Parmesan until melted and creamy. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
- Serve: Divide pasta among plates, garnish with fresh basil (if using), and serve immediately.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a creamy version, stir in 1/2 cup of heavy cream with the Parmesan.
- Best substitution: Use cauliflower florets as a substitute for broccoli.
- Make-ahead: Cook the pasta and broccoli separately, then combine and reheat when ready to serve.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or halved.
- Troubleshooting: If the sauce is too thick, add more pasta water. If it's too thin, cook it on the stove for a few more minutes to reduce.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Freeze individual portions for up to 1 month.
- Oven reheat: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for 10-15 minutes.
- Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through.
- Make ahead: You can prep the broccoli and garlic ahead of time, but cook the pasta just before serving.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 450
- Protein: 18g
- Fat: 12g
- Carbs: 65g
- Fiber: 5g
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Cholesterol: 15mg
- Sat. Fat: 3g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Easy Broccoli Pasta Recipe with Garlic and Parmesan FAQs
Yes, you can prep the ingredients ahead of time, but cook the pasta just before serving to prevent it from becoming soggy.
You may have cooked the pasta too long or not used enough pasta water to create a creamy sauce. Next time, reserve more pasta water and toss the pasta with the sauce off the heat.
Yes, you can cook the broccoli florets in the air fryer at 400°F (200°C) for 5-7 minutes, then toss with the cooked pasta and garlic butter.
Nutritional yeast or vegan Parmesan can be used as a substitute for a dairy-free version.
Yes, you can freeze individual portions for up to 1 month. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Easy Broccoli Pasta Recipe 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!
