Imagine a dish that transforms simple ingredients into a culinary masterpiece that will have your taste buds dancing with joy! This Garlic Lemon Broccoli Pasta is not just another weeknight meal – it's a vibrant, zesty adventure that brings together the bold punch of garlic, the bright freshness of lemon, and the hearty goodness of broccoli in one irresistible pasta dish. Perfect for busy home cooks who refuse to compromise on flavor, this recipe proves that gourmet-style meals can be whipped up in less time than it takes to order takeout!
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 15 mins
Total Time: 25 mins
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 8 oz pasta of choice
- 2 cups broccoli florets
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- Juice of 1 lemon
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Grated Parmesan cheese for serving
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, typically 8-10 minutes.
- While the pasta is cooking, prepare the broccoli. Wash the broccoli florets thoroughly and cut them into bite-sized pieces if needed.
- During the last 3 minutes of pasta cooking, add the broccoli florets directly to the same pot. This allows the broccoli to blanch and become tender-crisp.
- In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant, being careful not to brown the garlic.
- Drain the pasta and broccoli, reserving about 1/4 cup of the pasta cooking water.
- Transfer the pasta and broccoli to the skillet with the garlic and olive oil. Toss to combine, ensuring everything is well coated.
- Squeeze the fresh lemon juice over the pasta, and add salt and pepper to taste. If the mixture seems dry, add a small amount of the reserved pasta water to create a light sauce.
- Remove from heat and transfer to serving plates. Sprinkle generously with grated Parmesan cheese.
- Serve immediately while hot, garnishing with additional lemon zest or fresh herbs if desired.
Tips
- Salt Your Water Generously: The key to flavorful pasta starts with well-salted boiling water. It should taste like the sea!
- Timing is Everything: Adding broccoli to the pasta water in the last 3 minutes ensures it stays crisp-tender and vibrant green.
- Garlic Warning: Watch your garlic like a hawk! It should be fragrant and golden, never burnt, which can make it bitter.
- Pasta Water is Liquid Gold: Always reserve some pasta water. Its starchy magic helps create a silky sauce that clings perfectly to your pasta.
- Fresh is Best: Use fresh lemon juice and consider adding some lemon zest for an extra flavor punch.
- Cheese Matters: Freshly grated Parmesan will elevate this dish from good to absolutely incredible.Pro tip: For a protein boost, add grilled chicken or shrimp, or toss in some white beans for a vegetarian protein option!
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 353kcal
Carbohydrates: 47g
Protein: g
Fat: g
Saturated Fat: g
Cholesterol: 0mg
