Easy Garlic Broccoli Stir-Fry with Pasta for Quick Dinner
Easy Garlic Broccoli Stir-Fry with Pasta is a quick dinner solution that’s better than takeout. After making this many times, I’ve perfected the crispy broccoli and savory garlic flavor. Jump to the recipe card or keep reading for my best tips. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Easy Spiced Cranberry Soup for Cozy Dinners and Creamy Pumpkin and Potato Gratin for Cozy Dinners.
Why This Easy Garlic Broccoli Stir-Fry with Pasta for Quick Dinner Is Pure Comfort
- Crispy broccoli in every bite
- Savory garlic flavor that's not overpowering
- Ready in just 20 minutes
- Better than takeout taste at home
What You'll Need for Easy Garlic Broccoli Stir-Fry with Pasta for Quick Dinner
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
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Red pepper flakes (optional)
- Parmesan cheese (optional)
- Optional: Breadcrumbs
- Optional: Chopped parsley
- Optional: Crushed red pepper
📝 Ingredient Notes
- pasta: Any shape will work. I prefer penne or fusilli.
- broccoli: Cut into small florets for even cooking.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Stainless Steel Skillet — Even heat distribution for perfect stir-frying. → See on Amazon
- Garlic Press — Effortless garlic mincing for quick prep. → See on Amazon
How to Make Easy Garlic Broccoli Stir-Fry with Pasta for Quick Dinner
- Cook pasta: Boil salted water and cook pasta according to package instructions. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
- Stir-fry broccoli: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add broccoli, salt, and pepper. Cook until crispy, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook for another minute.
- Toss with pasta: Add drained pasta and reserved pasta water to the skillet. Toss to combine. Add red pepper flakes and more salt if needed. Serve with Parmesan cheese and desired toppings.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Easy Garlic Broccoli Stir-Fry with Pasta for Quick Dinner
- Common mistake and fix: Overcooking the broccoli can make it mushy. To prevent this, cook it until it's just tender and still has a bite to it.
- Pro tip: Using a bit of the starchy pasta water helps create a creamy sauce without adding extra fat.
- Pro tip: For a spicy kick, add red pepper flakes or a pinch of cayenne pepper.
Storing & Reheating Easy Garlic Broccoli Stir-Fry with Pasta for Quick Dinner
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: You can cook the pasta and broccoli separately ahead of time and combine when ready to serve.
Freezing Easy Garlic Broccoli Stir-Fry with Pasta for Quick Dinner
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: To make this dish gluten-free, use gluten-free pasta and ensure all other ingredients are certified gluten-free.
- Best substitution: If you don't have broccoli, you can substitute it with cauliflower or green beans.
- Make-ahead: You can cook the pasta and broccoli separately ahead of time and combine when ready to serve.
- Scaling: This recipe can easily be doubled or halved to serve more or fewer people.
- Troubleshooting: If your pasta is sticking to the skillet, add a bit more pasta water to loosen it up.
Want to level up this recipe?
Pasta Pot with Strainer — Makes draining pasta a breeze and saves time. → Check price on Amazon
Easy Garlic Broccoli Stir-Fry with Pasta for Quick Dinner
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 12 oz (340g) pasta
- 4 cups (280g) broccoli florets
- 4 cloves garlic
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Seasonings
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Red pepper flakes (optional)
- Parmesan cheese (optional)
Optional Toppings
- Breadcrumbs
- Chopped parsley
- Crushed red pepper
Instructions
- Cook pasta: Boil salted water and cook pasta according to package instructions. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
- Stir-fry broccoli: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add broccoli, salt, and pepper. Cook until crispy, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook for another minute.
- Toss with pasta: Add drained pasta and reserved pasta water to the skillet. Toss to combine. Add red pepper flakes and more salt if needed. Serve with Parmesan cheese and desired toppings.
Notes
- Chef tip: To make this dish gluten-free, use gluten-free pasta and ensure all other ingredients are certified gluten-free.
- Best substitution: If you don't have broccoli, you can substitute it with cauliflower or green beans.
- Make-ahead: You can cook the pasta and broccoli separately ahead of time and combine when ready to serve.
- Scaling: This recipe can easily be doubled or halved to serve more or fewer people.
- Troubleshooting: If your pasta is sticking to the skillet, add a bit more pasta water to loosen it up.
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: You can cook the pasta and broccoli separately ahead of time and combine when ready to serve.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 450
- Protein: 15g
- Fat: 12g
- Carbs: 65g
- Fiber: 5g
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Cholesterol: 5mg
- Sat. Fat: 2g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Easy Garlic Broccoli Stir-Fry with Pasta for Quick Dinner FAQs
Yes, you can cook the pasta and broccoli separately ahead of time and combine when ready to serve. However, the pasta may absorb some water and become slightly drier when reheated.
Overcooking the broccoli can make it mushy. To prevent this, cook it until it's just tender and still has a bite to it.
Yes, you can use frozen broccoli. Thaw it first and increase the cooking time by a couple of minutes.
You can add cooked chicken, shrimp, or tofu to this dish for more protein. Add it to the skillet with the garlic.
This dish is gluten-free if you use gluten-free pasta and ensure all other ingredients are certified gluten-free.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Easy Garlic Broccoli Stir-Fry with Pasta for Quick Dinner 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!
