One Pot Broccoli Pasta

Introduction

One Pot Broccoli Pasta is the answer for anyone craving a speedy, flavor-packed meal with minimal cleanup. With tender pasta, crisp broccoli, and a velvety sauce all cooked together in one pan, this dish saves you time without sacrificing comfort or taste. It’s guaranteed to become a go-to for busy weeknights or when you want something hearty yet wholesome on the table in under 30 minutes.

Why One Pot Broccoli Pasta is a Must-Try

This dish shines because of its sheer simplicity. Cooking the pasta and broccoli together infuses both ingredients with flavor while releasing just enough starch to create a naturally creamy sauce—no heavy cream required. Bold garlic, a hint of lemon, and a sprinkle of cheese round out the flavors, making every bite fresh and satisfying. It’s both family-friendly and adaptable to a variety of tastes and dietary needs.

How to Prep Your Broccoli for Pasta Perfection

For the brightest color and best texture, use fresh broccoli florets, cut into bite-sized pieces. Add them to the pasta during the last few minutes of cooking, so they’re tender yet vivid green. If you’re in a rush, pre-cut broccoli or even frozen works well—just adjust cooking times as needed.

Assembling Your One Pot Broccoli Pasta

The beauty of this recipe is in its all-in-one technique. Start by sautéing garlic until fragrant, then add uncooked pasta, water or broth, and your broccoli. As the pasta cooks, soaks up liquid, and softens, it pulls together all the flavors. Finish with a squeeze of lemon, a shower of grated Parmesan, and a drizzle of olive oil for a gorgeous, restaurant-worthy finish right from your kitchen.

Serving Suggestions

For extra zest, top your pasta with crushed red pepper, chopped fresh basil, or toasted pine nuts. Pair it with a crisp green salad or serve as a side to grilled chicken or shrimp. This recipe makes an excellent lunchbox option, reheating beautifully for flavorful leftovers.

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

This recipe yields 4 generous servings, each clocking in around 350 calories (without additional protein). It’s a balanced meal with fiber, protein (from pasta and cheese), and veggies, making it a nourishing choice for all ages.

One Pot Broccoli Pasta (Recap)

One Pot Broccoli Pasta hits all the high notes: quick, crowd-pleasing, and minimal mess. Its creamy texture and bright flavors make it a dependable favorite, bringing smiles and full bellies with every serving.

💡Meal Planning Tip: Save this recipe to automatically generate an organized shopping list with all ingredients sorted by store section—perfect for efficient grocery trips and meal planning.

Instructions

1. In a large deep skillet or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to brown.
2. Add the uncooked pasta, water (or broth), broccoli, salt, and black pepper. Give it a stir to combine.
3. Bring everything to a boil, then reduce the heat to maintain a gentle simmer. Cover and cook for 10–12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is al dente and the broccoli is tender but bright green. Add extra water if needed.
4. Remove from heat and immediately stir in the lemon zest, lemon juice, and Parmesan cheese, mixing vigorously to create a creamy sauce.
5. Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt, pepper, or lemon juice as desired. If using red pepper flakes or fresh herbs, add them now. Top with extra cheese or toasted pine nuts, if you like.
6. Serve hot and enjoy!

Weekly Meal Planning

This recipe is a meal planner’s dream thanks to its versatility and short ingredient list. Save and schedule this recipe to effortlessly plan your week and generate shopping lists that group ingredients from all your scheduled meals.

Planning Benefits:

• Automatically calculates total ingredient quantities for multiple meals
• Organizes your shopping by grocery store sections
• Prevents duplicate purchases and ensures you never forget an ingredient
• Simplifies weekly meal prep for maximum efficiency

Pro tip: When planning multiple recipes, schedule this dish alongside other pasta or veggie recipes for overlapping ingredients—streamlining your list and minimizing waste.

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes