Easy Broccoli Pasta Recipe with Garlic and Parmesan
Easy Broccoli Pasta with Garlic and Parmesan is a 20-minute restaurant-quality dinner you can make at home. After making this many times, I discovered the trick to perfectly crispy broccoli and a creamy, garlicky sauce that’s better than takeout. Jump to the recipe or keep reading for my best tips. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Easy Bang Bang Chicken Skewers and Easy Grilled Cheese Sandwich.
Why This Easy Broccoli Pasta Recipe with Garlic and Parmesan Is Pure Comfort
- Golden, crispy broccoli florets
- Creamy, garlicky Parmesan sauce
- Ready in just 20 minutes
- Better than takeout taste
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 cup (115g) grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Red pepper flakes (optional)
- Olive oil
- Optional: Reserved pasta water
- Optional: Parmesan cheese, for serving
đź“ť Ingredient Notes
- Pasta: Any shape will work.
- Broccoli: Frozen broccoli florets can be used.
đź›’ Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Stainless Steel Pasta Pot — Evenly cooks pasta and broccoli perfectly. → See on Amazon
- Microplane Zester Grater — Quickly grates garlic and Parmesan for a smooth sauce. → See on Amazon
How to Make Easy Broccoli Pasta Recipe with Garlic and Parmesan
- Cook Pasta: Boil salted water, add pasta, cook until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water.
- Cook Broccoli: Add broccoli to pasta pot, cook for 2 minutes. Drain.
- Sauté Garlic: In a large skillet, sauté minced garlic in olive oil until golden.
- Make Sauce: Add cooked pasta and broccoli to skillet. Toss with Parmesan, salt, pepper, and reserved pasta water. Add red pepper flakes if desired.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Easy Broccoli Pasta Recipe with Garlic and Parmesan
- Common mistake and fix: Don't overcook broccoli. It should still have a slight crunch. If it's too soft, your sauce may be watery.
- : For a creamier sauce, use a little less pasta water.
- : Add a squeeze of lemon for a fresh, bright 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: Pasta and broccoli can be cooked ahead of time and reheated with the sauce.
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.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: Use a microplane to grate garlic for a smooth sauce.
- Best substitution: Spinach can be used instead of broccoli.
- Make-ahead: Cook pasta and broccoli ahead of time, reheat with sauce.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled.
- Troubleshooting: If your sauce is too watery, cook it down or add a little cream.
Want to level up this recipe?
Stainless Steel Skillet — Evenly cooks garlic and creates a creamy sauce. → Check price on Amazon
Easy Broccoli Pasta Recipe with Garlic and Parmesan
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 12 oz (340g) pasta
- 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
- Reserved pasta water
- Parmesan cheese, for serving
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Boil salted water, add pasta, cook until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water.
- Cook Broccoli: Add broccoli to pasta pot, cook for 2 minutes. Drain.
- Sauté Garlic: In a large skillet, sauté minced garlic in olive oil until golden.
- Make Sauce: Add cooked pasta and broccoli to skillet. Toss with Parmesan, salt, pepper, and reserved pasta water. Add red pepper flakes if desired.
Notes
- Chef tip: Use a microplane to grate garlic for a smooth sauce.
- Best substitution: Spinach can be used instead of broccoli.
- Make-ahead: Cook pasta and broccoli ahead of time, reheat with sauce.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled.
- Troubleshooting: If your sauce is too watery, cook it down or add a little cream.
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.
- Make ahead: Pasta and broccoli can be cooked ahead of time and reheated with the sauce.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 450
- Protein: 18g
- Fat: 14g
- Carbs: 60g
- Fiber: 5g
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 900mg
- Cholesterol: 35mg
- Sat. Fat: 7g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Easy Broccoli Pasta Recipe with Garlic and Parmesan FAQs
Yes, cook pasta and broccoli ahead of time and reheat with the sauce.
Your broccoli may have been overcooked or you may have added too much pasta water. Cook it down or add a little cream.
Yes, frozen broccoli can be used. It may need to cook a little longer.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Yes, cook diced chicken separately and add it to the skillet with the garlic before adding the pasta and broccoli.
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!
