One-Pot Lemon Broccoli Pasta (Print Version)

Tender broccoli and zesty lemon come together in a silky garlic-infused pasta, all prepared in a single pot for effortless cooking and 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

# How To Make It:

01 - In a large deep skillet or pot, 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 Tips:

01 -
  • The sauce creates itself while the pasta cooks, thickening into something impossibly creamy without any heavy cream
  • Cleanup is literally one pot and maybe a cutting board if you are feeling fancy with your veggie prep
02 -
  • The sauce will look thin at first but thickens beautifully as it stands and as the starch releases from pasta
  • Plant-based milks work but unsweetened varieties are essential, anything vanilla flavored will taste bizarre
03 -
  • Use the widest pot you own so the liquid evaporates efficiently and reduces properly
  • Add any delicate herbs like basil after removing from heat so they stay bright and fresh
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