Easy Broccoli Pasta Recipe with Garlic and Parmesan
Easy Broccoli Pasta with Garlic and Parmesan is a quick, comforting dinner idea. Crisp-tender broccoli, savory garlic, and rich Parmesan create a delicious, better-than-takeout meal in just 20 minutes. After making this many times, I’ve discovered the trick to perfectly cooked broccoli every time. Keep reading for my best tips. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Easy Persian Noodle Soup with Lentils and Fresh Herbs and Easy Oven Baked Snow Crab Legs Recipe.
Why This Easy Broccoli Pasta Recipe with Garlic and Parmesan Is Pure Comfort
- Better than takeout flavor in 20 minutes
- Crisp-tender broccoli with a garlicky kick
- Rich, creamy Parmesan sauce without heavy cream
- Easy cleanup with just one pan
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.
- 1 lb (450g) pasta (like penne or fusilli)
- 4 cups (280g) broccoli florets
- 4 cloves garlic
- 1 cup (115g) grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Red pepper flakes (optional)
- Olive oil
- Optional: Fresh basil leaves
- Optional: Red pepper flakes
- Optional: Additional grated Parmesan cheese
đź“ť Ingredient Notes
- pasta: Any shape will work, but penne or fusilli catch more sauce.
- broccoli: Use fresh broccoli for the best texture and flavor.
đź›’ Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Stainless Steel Pasta Pot — Evenly cooks pasta and broccoli perfectly. → See on Amazon
- Microplane Zester/Graters — Effortlessly grates Parmesan for a smooth, creamy sauce. → See on Amazon
How to Make Easy Broccoli Pasta Recipe with Garlic and Parmesan
- Cook pasta: Boil salted water and cook pasta according to package instructions. Add broccoli florets to the pot for the last 2-3 minutes of cooking. Drain, reserving 1 cup of pasta water.
- Sauté garlic: In a large skillet, sauté minced garlic in olive oil over medium heat until fragrant (about 1 minute).
- Toss with Parmesan: Add drained pasta and broccoli to the skillet. Toss with grated Parmesan, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using). If needed, add some reserved pasta water to create a creamy sauce.
- Serve: Plate and serve immediately, garnished with fresh basil leaves and additional grated Parmesan if desired.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Easy Broccoli Pasta Recipe with Garlic and Parmesan
- Cooking tip: Add broccoli to the pasta pot for the last few minutes of cooking to save time and energy.
- Common mistake and fix: Don't overcook the broccoli. It should be crisp-tender, not mushy. If it's overcooked, add a splash of cold water to the skillet to stop the cooking process.
- Seasoning tip: Taste and adjust seasoning before serving. The sauce should be rich and flavorful.
- Storage tip: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave or oven.
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: Pasta can be cooked and broccoli can be chopped up to 1 day ahead. Store separately in the fridge.
Freezing Easy Broccoli Pasta Recipe with Garlic and Parmesan
Not recommended for freezing.
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.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a spicy kick, add red pepper flakes to the sauce.
- Best substitution: Use frozen broccoli florets if fresh is not available. Cook according to package instructions before adding to the skillet.
- Make-ahead: Pasta and broccoli can be cooked ahead of time. Toss with sauce just before serving.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled for larger crowds.
- Troubleshooting: If the sauce is too thick, add more reserved pasta water. If it's too thin, cook it down for a few more minutes.
Want to level up this recipe?
Stainless Steel Skillet — Evenly cooks pasta and broccoli, and creates a perfect creamy sauce. → Check price on Amazon
Easy Broccoli Pasta Recipe with Garlic and Parmesan
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb (450g) pasta (like penne or fusilli)
- 4 cups (280g) broccoli florets
- 4 cloves garlic
- 1 cup (115g) grated Parmesan cheese
Seasonings
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Red pepper flakes (optional)
- Olive oil
Optional Toppings
- Fresh basil leaves
- Red pepper flakes
- Additional grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Cook pasta: Boil salted water and cook pasta according to package instructions. Add broccoli florets to the pot for the last 2-3 minutes of cooking. Drain, reserving 1 cup of pasta water.
- Sauté garlic: In a large skillet, sauté minced garlic in olive oil over medium heat until fragrant (about 1 minute).
- Toss with Parmesan: Add drained pasta and broccoli to the skillet. Toss with grated Parmesan, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using). If needed, add some reserved pasta water to create a creamy sauce.
- Serve: Plate and serve immediately, garnished with fresh basil leaves and additional grated Parmesan if desired.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a spicy kick, add red pepper flakes to the sauce.
- Best substitution: Use frozen broccoli florets if fresh is not available. Cook according to package instructions before adding to the skillet.
- Make-ahead: Pasta and broccoli can be cooked ahead of time. Toss with sauce just before serving.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled for larger crowds.
- Troubleshooting: If the sauce is too thick, add more reserved pasta water. If it's too thin, cook it down for a few more minutes.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Not recommended for freezing.
- 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.
- Make ahead: Pasta can be cooked and broccoli can be chopped up to 1 day ahead. Store separately in the fridge.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 450
- Protein: 18g
- Fat: 12g
- Carbs: 65g
- Fiber: 5g
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Cholesterol: 25mg
- Sat. Fat: 5g
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 cook the pasta and broccoli ahead of time. Store separately in the fridge and toss with sauce just before serving.
Overcooking the broccoli can make it mushy. Add it to the pasta pot for the last 2-3 minutes of cooking to prevent this.
No, this recipe is best made on the stovetop. The air fryer may not cook the pasta and broccoli evenly.
Pecorino Romano or nutritional yeast can be used as a substitute for Parmesan cheese.
Yes, use gluten-free pasta to make this recipe gluten-free.
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!
