One-Pot Lemon Broccoli Pasta (Printable Version)

Vibrant spring pasta with tender broccoli, zesty lemon, and creamy garlic sauce cooked in a single pot for minimal cleanup.

# 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 - Heat olive oil in a large deep skillet or pot over medium heat. Add sliced garlic and finely chopped onion, sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant and translucent, taking care not to brown.
02 - Add dried pasta, broccoli florets, vegetable broth, and milk to the pot. Stir thoroughly to combine and bring to a rolling boil.
03 - Reduce heat to a simmer. Cook uncovered, stirring frequently to prevent sticking, for 10-12 minutes until pasta reaches al dente texture and liquid reduces to a silky sauce.
04 - Stir in lemon zest, lemon juice, grated Parmesan cheese, sea salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes. Adjust seasoning to preference.
05 - Remove from heat and let stand 2-3 minutes to allow the sauce to thicken slightly.
06 - Transfer to serving bowls and garnish with additional Parmesan cheese and fresh herbs as desired. Serve immediately while hot.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • The sauce essentially makes itself while the pasta cooks, thickening naturally with starch from the pasta
  • Cleanup takes exactly two minutes because everything happens in one vessel
  • Bright lemon cuts through rich broth for the kind of sauce you'll want to slurp directly from the bowl
02 -
  • The pasta continues cooking even after you remove it from heat, so pull it a minute before you think it's perfectly done
  • If the sauce looks too thick before the pasta is ready, add hot water in quarter-cup increments
  • Plant-based milk can sometimes separate when boiled, so stir gently and don't worry if it looks slightly different than dairy milk
03 -
  • Break spaghetti in half if you're cooking for anyone who finds twirling long noodles challenging at the table
  • Room temperature liquids help prevent curdling if you're using plant-based milk options
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