This is one of my best emergency quick dinner ideas and 2-in-1 veg plus carb side dish. Broccoli, pasta and not much else, it’s a little bit lemony, a little bit cheesy and a whole lot of yum. The broccoli is cooked with the pasta then stirred vigorously with sauce to make it juicy and saucy
Add this to your arsenal of broccoli recipes – this one is a keeper!
Super QUICK broccoli pasta!
If you dream of 12 minute dinner magic, you’re going to love this broccoli recipe as much as I do. It’s for all those days when:
you’re staring at broccoli with not much else in the pantry, wondering how on earth you’re going to transform that into a totally delicious meal;
it’s a mad house and you just need to get dinner on the table, stat!
you want to hide a LOT of broccoli in something that everyone will love. There’s 2 whole heads in this – but it definitely doesn’t seem like it!
you’re after a quick side dish to serve with that charcoal chook you picked up enroute home, the sticky chicken thighs or crispy pan fried fish you’re making, those marinated pork chops or the garlic butter mushrooms you’re roasting in the oven.
It’s also what you make when you’re a food blogger who can’t resist a bargain and “accidentally” brought home SIX heads of broccoli…..😂
What goes in broccoli pasta
Here’s what all you need to make this:
Broccoli – TWO BIG HEADS!
Some kind of pasta – preferably short, but even long will work
Some kind of cheese – either parmesan or something that can melt into the sauce (both is the best case scenario)
Some kind of fat – preferably extra virgin olive oil, otherwise normal olive oil or butter
So even if you have just the above 4 ingredients, your broccoli pasta is still going to be very tasty – everything else I use is a flavour bonus!
I love using lemon in this recipe – but it’s optional. It’s not a strong tangy lemon flavour, it’s in the background and helps create more sauce to toss through the pasta without adding tons of oil.
12 minute broccoli recipe!
This is not a Jamie Oliver 15 Minute Meals type recipe where you use every appliance, pot and pan in your kitchen and it’s a whirlwind of frantic chaos for 15 30 minutes then you spend a good 40 minutes cleaning up afterwards.
No no no! This is a totally effortless 12 minute recipe with a great flow to it. Here’s how it goes down:
Cook pasta per the packet directions.
Chop & cook broccoli – While the pasta is cooking, chop the broccoli then add it into the water when the pasta is 2 minutes from being done.
Make sauce – Make the simple lemony pasta sauce
Scoop out 1 cup pasta cooking water <– KEY STEP! This is how we make plenty of sauce without using tons of oil! Add 1/2 cup of this into the sauce and shake (reserve the rest of the water for later in case you need it).
Put everything in pot – Drain the pasta and return to the same pot. Add the Sauce and cheese,
Toss the pasta, sauce, water and cheese until it’s nice and juicy. Then DEVOUR!!
I always struggle to capture how juicy pastas like this are – when the sauce is clear rather than bright red and meaty like Bolognese. If you’re not convinced with the photos, watch the quick recipe video below!
I haven’t loaded this Broccoli Pasta with tons of cheese. I use it more to create the sauce, rather than making this a really cheesy pasta. Also an attempt to keep the calorie count to a respectable level for a big bowl.
However, this Cheese-Loving Carb Monster will certainly not judge if you choose to be (way) more generous with the cheese.
Go on, do it, do it, do it! *she whispers cheekily in your ear* 😂 ~ Nagi x
Watch how to make it
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Really Quick Broccoli Pasta
Ingredients
- 350g / 12 oz dried short pasta (I used small shells)
- 2 broccoli heads (BIG!)
- 1 cup shredded cheese (or more!)
Pasta Sauce (Notes for subs):
- 2 tsp lemon zest
- 2 tbsp lemon juice (or more!)
- 5 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1/3 cup parmesan , finely grated
- 2 garlic cloves , minced
- 1 tsp mixed dried herbs (or fresh!)
- 1/2 tsp+ red pepper flakes (add more if you want spicy!)
- 1 tsp sugar
- 3/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
Serving:
- More parmesan
Instructions
- Cook pasta: Boil a large pot of water with 2 tsp salt, add pasta.
While pasta is cooking:
- Chop broccoli: Chop broccoli into small florets.
- Cook broccoli: Add broccoli into water 1 – 2 minutes before pasta is cooked.
- Sauce ingredients in jar: Place Sauce ingredients in a jar with lid.
- Reserve pasta water: SCOOP OUT 1 cup pasta cooking water just before draining. Then drain and return pasta back into same pot on turned off stove.
- Add pasta water into Sauce: Add 1/2 cup pasta water to Pasta Sauce jar, shake well.
- Add Sauce & Cheese to pasta: Pour Sauce and add cheese into pot with pasta.
- Stir then serve! Stir vigorously, adding more pasta water if required. Add more salt and pepper if required. Serve immediately, garnished with parmesan.
Recipe Notes:
- Pasta – any short pasta is fine here, macaroni/elbow, twirls, penne, ziti, orecchiette etc.
- Broccoli – this dish can take loads of broccoli, and still worth making even if you’re a bit short (or scale recipe down – click on servings and slide).
- Cheese – any melting cheese fine here, preferably flavoured like cheddar, Monterey Jack, tasty, gruyere, Swiss. Mozzarella also fine but you’ll probably need more salt.
- Parmesan – store bought pre grated fine in this recipe. OK if you don’t have (as long as you have shredded cheese!)
- Lemon – not intended to be a full on lemon pasta, but the subtle tang and hint of lemon is terrific. Feel free to jack up the lemon flavour. Subs: 1.5 tbsp more oil or a mild vinegar like white wine vinegar, champagne vinegar, even rice wine.
- Garlic – could stir through green onions instead, or add 1/2 tsp garlic or onion powder into Sauce. OR finely grate any onion and add 2 tbsp it into dressing (juices and all).
- Herbs – mixed herbs includes a bit of rosemary, thyme, parsley, oregano, dried basil. Feel free to use any you want, skip it, OR use fresh herbs
- 1/2 cup sliced fresh basil right at the end would be amazing
- 1/4 – 1/2 cup chives, parsley
- 2 tbsp oregano
- Red pepper flakes – for touch of heat, totally optional
- Sugar – totally optional (takes edge off the sour)
Nutrition Information:
Originally published April 2019. Post refreshed in October 2021 along with new video edits. No change to recipe – I wouldn’t dare touch it!
More broccoli recipes
I’m a big fan of broccoli so I’ve shared quite a few recipes. Love the flavour, how versatile it is and it’s good for you!
Chicken broccoli rice casserole – tastes like a cheesy risotto, but so much easier to make!
Broccoli gratin – creamy yet no cream with a golden crunchy top
Browse all Broccoli recipes
Life of Dozer
Dozer on the RIGHT side of the counter at Pet-O! I swear that place is Disney Land for dogs. He gets lavished with attention by everyone who works there, sooo many treats, then he runs around like a loon in the warehouse, grabbing toys and treats off the shelves, leaving me with no option other than to buy them.
I grumble and complain every time I spend way more than intended, and yet the thought of leaving him at home to go to the pet store without him never crosses my mind (and the one time I had to, the staff were very concerned about his well being!).
This was delicious and it made heaps. I added a bunch of spinach at the end. This is another one I’ll make again.
Perfect Annette!
Absolutely brilliant. Mind you I did end up adding bacon (I swear I’m not an addict! 🤣) but honestly dare I say it actually didn’t need it! So good 🤤
Hey, I don’t judge! (Everything’s better with BACON) – N x
I’ll be honest – I was pretty sceptical: how can broccoli pasta be tasty? But it was truely one of the best pasta dishes I’ve ever made! Thank you so much!
Yesssss! You’re converted Yuls!
Got back from a weekend away and didn’t have much in the fridge so made this tonight. It is a true 5 stars! So much flavour for such a simple dish. So easy and a big hit with the family. Only had one head of broccoli so I grated 2x zucchini and added it for 20 seconds before draining the pasta and broccoli. Leftovers are in kids lunches for tomorrow. If I commented on all the dishes we love from your site, you’d get sick of hearing from us 🤣 thank you!!
Made this using spaghetti and minus the lemon and it was delicious. Quick and easy, cheap and minimal clean up. Will definitely make it again.
Perfect Rebecca!!!
Made this today and it was yum even my meat & 3veg husband liked it .
Wahoo, that’s great to hear Margie ❤️
I tried it! And voila! My family loved it! Thanks for sharing this. God bless!
Wahoo you nailed it Joahnne!
This is definitely 5 stars, but my computer’s not letting me rate for some reason. I subbed some frozen spinach for the broccoli and there was plenty of sauce even though I doubled the pasta.
My daughter loved that she didn’t have to “pick out any vegetables.” Spinach is her favourite. Definitely will make again.
Wahoo! Winner winner BeckBeck!
I had some broccoli in the refrigerator and made this recipe tonight. Exceeded my expectations as well as my son’s, who told me he wasn’t thrilled when he saw his plate but actually really liked it! As for me, I ate way too much of it!
Wahoo, that’s great Deborah!
Tried! Ahhhh-mazinggg!
Thanks so much!!
This is a 10 out of 10 although only asked 5 stars. This will be in our every 2 week rotation!
Great stuff!!
Does this freeze well?
Oh nagi I laughed when I read your Jamie’s 15 minute meals description! Someone gifted me that book and the one time I made a meal from it, that’s rd actually what happened!
Making this tonight with your roast chicken.
Thank you
Do you think you it would work with a combo of broccoli and cauliflower?
Thanks this is delicious, simple and satisfying, did some Parmesan crusted chicken to go with it, but it really didn’t need it!
Perfect Fiona!!
IT WAS WONDERFUL WE LOVED IT
I’m so glad you loved it Kathy!
Hi Nagi. What cheese do you think is best to use for this recipe? Thanks!
Hi Joey – any melting cheese fine here, preferably flavoured like cheddar, Monterey Jack, tasty, gruyere, Swiss. Mozzarella also fine but you’ll probably need more salt – N x
Hi Nagi, yeah I saw that part, I meant do you have a preference which to use out of those options? Which tastes the best? Thanks 🙂
Saw this on Facebook and looked so quick and easy and I couldn’t believe it, it was.
My two daughters aged 6 and 4 also loved it which is a great bonus.
That’s SO great to hear Lisa!!
Saw this on Facebook and needed to cook this. Made it for lunch for my two daughters (aged 6 & 4) and they both loved it.
It was so quick and easy to make.
Thank you
Saw this on Facebook and have to say it’s the perfect summer pasta! I love pasta but this time of year I don’t want a heavy dinner, and this was perfect! The lemon was refreshing and the red pepper gave it a little kick. Definitely adding this to my rotation!
Sounds yummy! I need to makeup this.
I hope you try it!