Easy Broccoli Pasta Recipe with Garlic and Parmesan
Easy Broccoli Pasta with Garlic and Parmesan is a 20-minute restaurant-quality dinner. After making this many times, I’ve perfected the crispy broccoli and creamy sauce. Jump to the recipe or keep reading for my best tips. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Easy Cheesy Baked Halibut Recipe for Dinner and Roasted Beet Salad with Feta and Fresh Dill.
Why This Easy Broccoli Pasta Recipe with Garlic and Parmesan Is Pure Comfort
- Crispy broccoli florets in every bite
- Creamy garlic Parmesan sauce
- Better than takeout in 20 minutes
- Easy, customizable, and family-friendly
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 (300g) broccoli florets
- 4 cloves garlic
- 1 cup (115g) grated Parmesan
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1/2 cup (120ml) heavy cream
- Optional: Reserved pasta water
- Optional: Fresh basil or parsley
- Optional: Red pepper flakes
📝 Ingredient Notes
- Pasta: Any shape works. I prefer penne or fusilli.
- Broccoli: Fresh or frozen. Cut into bite-sized florets.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Stainless Steel Pasta Pot — Even cooking, no sticking → See on Amazon
- Microplane Zester/Graters — Easy garlic mincing and Parmesan grating → See on Amazon
How to Make Easy Broccoli Pasta Recipe with Garlic and Parmesan
- Cook pasta: Boil salted water, cook pasta until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water.
- Cook broccoli: In the same pot, add broccoli. Cook 2-3 minutes until crisp-tender. Drain.
- Make garlic sauce: In the pot, sauté minced garlic. Add cream, simmer 2 minutes. Stir in Parmesan.
- Combine: Toss pasta and broccoli in the pot. Add reserved water if needed. Season and serve.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Easy Broccoli Pasta Recipe with Garlic and Parmesan
- : Undercook broccoli slightly. It will finish cooking in the pot with the pasta.
- Common mistake and fix: Don't overcook the broccoli. It will become mushy and lose its crispness.
- : Add reserved pasta water to adjust sauce consistency.
- : For a spicy kick, add red pepper flakes.
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 up to 3 days. Make-ahead tip: Cook pasta and broccoli ahead. Combine and reheat when ready to serve.
Freezing Easy Broccoli Pasta Recipe with Garlic and Parmesan
Freeze individual portions 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 mince garlic and grate Parmesan for smooth sauce.
- Best substitution: Substitute broccoli with cauliflower or asparagus.
- Make-ahead: Cook pasta and broccoli ahead. Combine and reheat when ready to serve.
- Scaling: Easily double or triple the recipe for a crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If sauce is too thick, add more reserved pasta water.
Want to level up this recipe?
High-quality non-stick skillet — Even heat distribution, no sticking → Check price on Amazon
Easy Broccoli Pasta Recipe with Garlic and Parmesan
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 12 oz (340g) pasta
- 4 cups (300g) broccoli florets
- 4 cloves garlic
- 1 cup (115g) grated Parmesan
Seasonings
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1/2 cup (120ml) heavy cream
Optional Toppings
- Reserved pasta water
- Fresh basil or parsley
- Red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Cook pasta: Boil salted water, cook pasta until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water.
- Cook broccoli: In the same pot, add broccoli. Cook 2-3 minutes until crisp-tender. Drain.
- Make garlic sauce: In the pot, sauté minced garlic. Add cream, simmer 2 minutes. Stir in Parmesan.
- Combine: Toss pasta and broccoli in the pot. Add reserved water if needed. Season and serve.
Notes
- Chef tip: Use a microplane to mince garlic and grate Parmesan for smooth sauce.
- Best substitution: Substitute broccoli with cauliflower or asparagus.
- Make-ahead: Cook pasta and broccoli ahead. Combine and reheat when ready to serve.
- Scaling: Easily double or triple the recipe for a crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If sauce is too thick, add more reserved pasta water.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Freeze individual portions 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: Cook pasta and broccoli ahead. Combine and reheat when ready to serve.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 520
- Protein: 22g
- Fat: 20g
- Carbs: 65g
- Fiber: 5g
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 850mg
- Cholesterol: 60mg
- Sat. Fat: 12g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Easy Broccoli Pasta Recipe with Garlic and Parmesan FAQs
Cook pasta and broccoli ahead. Combine and reheat when ready to serve.
Overcooking is the most common mistake. Cook broccoli just until crisp-tender.
Freeze individual portions up to 1 month. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
Add red pepper flakes to taste.
Add cooked chicken, shrimp, or your favorite vegetables.
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!
