Name: One-Pot Pasta With Broccoli and Lemon
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 25 min
Ingredients: Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper; 1 pound penne; 1 pound broccoli, head cut into florets (3 ½ cups), stems peeled and thinly sliced (1 cup); 1 clove garlic, finely grated; 0.333 cup extra-virgin olive oil; 2 teaspoons finely grated lemon zest, plus 3 tablespoons fresh juice (from 1 lemon); 0.5 cup finely grated Parmesan (1 ounce), plus more for serving

Prep Time:

10 mins

Total Time:

25 mins

Yield:

4 to 6 Serves

Less is more in this quick and easy weeknight dinner. Our favorite lemon broccoli pasta recipe calls for just five main ingredients (penne, broccoli, garlic, lemon, and Parmesan) and comes together in less than 25 minutes. Sometimes quick recipes get dinner on the table fast, but leave the sink full of pots and pans—with this one, there's minimal cleanup because everything cooks in one pan.

This recipe has lots of bright, fresh flavor for your family to enjoy. Everyone's favorite green vegetable brings crunch and vitamins, Parmesan adds welcome saltiness and a touch of umami, and the lemon brings it all together. It's a pasta meal you'll make on the regular.

One Pan Pasta with Broccoli and Lemon — Bryan Gardner

The Best Pasta to Use

We call for penne for this one-pot lemon-broccoli pasta but really any short pasta will work. Try it with farfalle, orechiette, macaroni, or whatever you have in your pantry. This recipe also works with long noodles, we just prefer it with chunkier pasta.

What to Serve With Lemon Broccoli Pasta

This hearty vegetarian pasta is not only quick to make, it’s also filling. If it’s not hearty enough for your crew, try adding:

Shredded rotisserie chicken stirred in
Chicken cutlets or breast meat diced on top
Canned tuna in olive oil gently mixed in
Diced cooked bacon
Unsalted roasted slivered or sliced almonds

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Ingredients

Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
1 pound penne
1 pound broccoli, head cut into florets (3 ½ cups), stems peeled and thinly sliced (1 cup)
1 clove garlic, finely grated
⅓ cup extra-virgin olive oil
2 teaspoons finely grated lemon zest, plus 3 tablespoons fresh juice (from 1 lemon)
½ cup finely grated Parmesan (1 ounce), plus more for serving

Directions

Cook pasta:

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add penne and cook 5 minutes.
Add broccoli and cook till crisp tender:

Add broccoli and cook until pasta is just under al dente and broccoli is crisp-tender and bright green, 3 to 4 minutes more.
Drain and toss with remaining ingredients:

Drain, then add pasta and broccoli back to pot. Toss with garlic, oil, lemon zest and juice, and cheese. Serve, topped with more cheese.

Bryan Gardner

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the best way to cook broccoli?

Broccoli is a versatile vegetable that can be cooked many different ways. Try it steamed, boiled, sauteed, stir fried, roasted, made into soup, and more to enjoy its flavor and health benefits. You can also enjoy it raw in salads

Can I use frozen broccoli in this pasta recipe?

Yes, use frozen broccoli in place of fresh in our lemon broccoli recipe. Don't defrost the broccoli before adding it to the pot and it will cook in about the same time as fresh. Check it after two minutes of cooking to make sure it needs more time.

What can I add to plain pasta for flavor?

First, be sure to salt the cooking water for pasta properly to enhance the flavor of the pasta. Parmesan cheese is our favorite flavor enhancer. Other options include sautéed garlic, bacon, pesto, lemon zest and juice, a little heavy cream mixed with some pasta cooking water and freshly grated nutmeg, sautéed mushrooms.