One-Pot Lemon Broccoli Pasta (Printable)

Tender broccoli, zesty lemon, and silky garlic sauce tossed with pasta in a single pot. Ready in just 30 minutes.

# What You'll Need:

→ Pasta & Vegetables

01 - 12 oz dried spaghetti or linguine
02 - 4 cups broccoli florets, cut into bite-sized pieces
03 - 4 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
04 - 1 small onion, finely chopped

→ Liquids

05 - 4 cups vegetable broth or water
06 - 1/2 cup whole milk or plant-based milk

→ Flavorings

07 - Zest and juice of 1 large lemon
08 - 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
09 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
10 - 1/2 teaspoon sea salt, or to taste
11 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
12 - 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

→ Garnish

13 - Fresh basil or parsley, chopped

# Directions:

01 - In a large, wide pot or deep sauté pan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add garlic and onion, sauté for 1–2 minutes until fragrant and translucent, but not browned.
02 - Add dried pasta, broccoli florets, vegetable broth, and milk to the pot. Stir to combine and bring to a boil.
03 - Reduce heat to a simmer. Cook uncovered, stirring often to prevent sticking, for 10–12 minutes, or until pasta is al dente and most of the liquid has reduced to a silky sauce.
04 - Stir in lemon zest and juice, Parmesan cheese, salt, black pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes. Adjust seasoning to taste.
05 - Remove from heat. Let stand 2–3 minutes for the sauce to thicken slightly.
06 - Serve hot, garnished with extra Parmesan and fresh herbs if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The starch from the pasta creates the most luxurious silky sauce without any heavy cream
  • Cleanup consists of literally one pot and maybe a cutting board if youre feeling fancy
  • The bright lemon flavor cuts through richness making each bite feel light and fresh
02 -
  • The sauce continues thickening off the heat, so resist the urge to overcook the pasta while trying to reduce the liquid
  • Thinly sliced garlic burns faster than you expect, so keep the heat at medium and watch it closely
  • Adding lemon juice after removing from heat preserves its bright, fresh flavor that cooking would diminish
03 -
  • Use a wide, shallow pot rather than a tall narrow one so the pasta cooks more evenly in the liquid
  • Break spaghetti in half if your pot is small, which makes stirring much easier throughout cooking
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