One-Pot Lemon Broccoli Pasta (Printable version)

Silky garlic-lemon pasta with tender broccoli florets, cooked in one pot for easy cleanup.

# Ingredients list:

→ 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 tbsp olive oil
10 - 1/2 tsp sea salt, or to taste
11 - 1/4 tsp black pepper
12 - 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes

→ Garnish

13 - Fresh basil or parsley, chopped

# Steps:

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. Serve hot, garnished with extra Parmesan and fresh herbs if desired.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The pasta cooks directly in the broth, creating its own silky sauce that clings to every strand
  • Everything happens in one pan, so you get maximum flavor with minimum dishes
02 -
  • Stir frequently during the simmer or the milk can separate and stick to the bottom of your pot
  • The sauce continues to thicken as it stands, so dont worry if it looks slightly loose when you first finish cooking
03 -
  • Cut your broccoli into uniform pieces so everything finishes cooking at the same time
  • Room temperature liquids prevent the milk from separating when it hits the hot pot
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