One-Pot Lemon Broccoli Pasta (Print page)

Tender pasta and broccoli in a creamy lemon-garlic sauce, all cooked in one pot for effortless cleanup.

# What You 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
09 - 2 tbsp olive oil
10 - 1/2 tsp sea salt
11 - 1/4 tsp black pepper
12 - 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes

→ Garnish

13 - Fresh basil or parsley, chopped

# Directions:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large, wide pot or deep sauté pan over medium heat. Add garlic and onion, sauté for 1–2 minutes until fragrant and translucent, taking care not to brown the garlic.
02 - Add dried pasta, broccoli florets, vegetable broth, and milk to the pot. Stir thoroughly to combine and bring mixture to a boil.
03 - Reduce heat to maintain a gentle simmer. Cook uncovered for 10–12 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent sticking, until pasta is al dente and most liquid has reduced to a silky sauce consistency.
04 - Stir in lemon zest, lemon juice, Parmesan cheese, salt, black pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
05 - Remove from heat and let stand for 2–3 minutes to allow sauce to thicken slightly. Serve hot, garnished with additional Parmesan and fresh herbs if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Everything cooks in one pot, meaning fewer dishes and more time to actually enjoy your evening
  • The starch from the pasta creates this naturally silky sauce without any heavy cream
  • Lemon and broccoli together taste like sunshine on a plate, even on gray days
02 -
  • The sauce will look worryingly thin right up until the last two minutes of cooking, then suddenly it comes together—trust the process and do not add more liquid
  • If your pasta is not done but the liquid has mostly reduced, add just a splash more broth and keep cooking
03 -
  • Use a pot that is wide rather than tall—more surface area means the liquid reduces faster and more evenly
  • Grate your lemon zest before juicing the lemon, it is much harder to do afterward
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