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    Home » Recipes » Dinner

    Published: Apr 19, 2022 by Misty · This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, see our privacy policy.

    Easy Lemon Broccoli Pasta

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    Pasta with broccoli in an electric skillet with text overlay.
    Overhead of lemon broccoli pasta in a white bowl with text overlay.

    This Lemon Broccoli Pasta is a fast and easy weeknight dinner that will be done in just 25 minutes! It's packed with bright, fresh lemon and creamy parmesan cheese for flavors that the whole family will love. Plus this pasta with broccoli is a low-heat meal for summer and great for entertaining.

    Pasta with broccoli, grated parmesan, and lemon sauce in a white bowl with a gray towel and forks on the side.
    This Lemon Broccoli Pasta is a 25 minute weeknight dinner that's fast, affordable, and delicious.
    Skip to:
    • 🏅 Why this recipe is great
    • 🍋 Ingredients
    • 🔪 How to make lemon broccoli pasta
    • 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦  For a crowd
    • 🙋 Questions & Answers
    • 📖 More easy dinners
    • 👨🏼‍🍳 Tips & Tricks
    • 👋🏻 Connect with us!
    • 📋 Recipe
    • 💬 Comments

    Is it just me, or are all recipes that sneak in extra vegetables automatic winners? Besides the fact that this Lemon Broccoli Pasta recipe is simple and fast to make, it easily convinces me that broccoli is delicious (not always an easy feat). The recipe inspiration came from Ina Garten's Lemon Pasta with Broccoli, but we adjusted the ingredient ratios for the best broccoli pasta!

    If you're looking for other simple dinner recipes, I recommend these delicious Chicken Tinga Tacos with Rotisserie Chicken or this 4 Ingredient Potato Soup.

    🏅 Why this recipe is great

    • Done in 25 minutes
    • Uses affordable ingredients
    • Sneaks in extra vegetables
    • Lots of fresh flavor
    • Equally great for a busy weeknight or for entertaining
    • Low heat meal for hot summers

    🍋 Ingredients

    Pasta, broccoli, lemons, garlic, and parmesan cheese on a white marble countertop.
    The key to amazing flavor is to use fresh lemons and real parmesan cheese. You won't regret it!

    A full list of the ingredients is in the recipe card below, but here are a few noteworthy tips:

    • Broccoli: You can cut heads of broccoli into small florets yourself, or buy broccoli florets pre-cut to make it easier. Use fresh broccoli, not frozen.
    • Pasta: We use penne pasta, but you can substitute with rigatoni, bow-tie pasta, rotini pasta, or something similar. You can also use gluten-free pasta if you prefer.
    • Fresh garlic: It's easiest to buy minced garlic, but you can also mince your own.
    • Lemon zest and juice: Fresh lemons are a powerhouse of flavor, so don't skip this. Use a microplane (affiliate) to zest them easily.
    • Parmesan cheese: A fresh block of parmesan that you shred yourself is the best. Pre-shredded, real parmesan is also fine.
    • Pine nuts (optional): Toasted pine nuts complement the flavors of this pasta very well. Pine nuts can be pricey, so I usually leave them out.

    🔪 How to make lemon broccoli pasta

    1. Cut the broccoli, zest and juice the lemons, and grate the parmesan. You can grate the cheese and zest the lemons with a microplane (affiliate).
    2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, then cook the broccoli. Remove and cook the pasta in the same water according to package directions until al dente. Reserve some pasta water for later.
    3. Whisk up the pan sauce in a skillet over medium heat while the pasta is boiling. I love using this electric skillet (affiliate), but a large skillet on the stove is good too.
    4. Toss the tender broccoli and pasta with the sauce and add parmesan. Add reserved water if needed to adjust consistency.
    5. Sprinkle with extra parmesan and serve!
    Cooked pasta ingredients in a skillet before mixing (picture 1) and after mixing (picture 2).
    I love to make this pasta in an electric skillet for a low-heat summer meal that doesn't make my house hot.

    👨‍👩‍👧‍👦  For a crowd

    Lemon Broccoli Pasta is the perfect recipe for entertaining, yet very simple to throw together, even with company around. When doubling the recipe, I recommend boiling the broccoli in two rounds (so as to not overcrowd the pot). I also suggest using two large skillets instead of one (make one recipe of sauce in each skillet).

    🙋 Questions & Answers

    Can I make this pasta ahead?

    This recipe is best served fresh, but you can prep it ahead. Cut the broccoli, shred the parmesan, and mince the garlic. Store each ingredient in a separate air-tight container, then cook the next day.

    How do I keep pasta warm before serving?

    If you need to hold the pasta for awhile before serving, you can keep it warm in a slow cooker. Before you start the pasta, fill your slow cooker with an inch of water and turn the heat on high (the water prevents the crock from ruining). When your pasta is ready, dump the water out and turn the heat to “keep warm.” Add the pasta and cover with the lid until serving time.

    How do I reheat lemon broccoli pasta?

    Leftovers store well in an air-tight container for up to 1 week. Reheat gently in the microwave. If the pasta is a bit dry, add a splash of water, chicken broth, or a bit of oil. You can also add fresh parmesan or a splash of lemon juice to revive the flavor.

    Overhead bowl of pasta with broccoli with forks on the side and a gray towel underneath.
    This pasta is simple enough for a weeknight meal but impressive enough to entertain with great reviews.

    📖 More easy dinners

    • 5 Ingredient Honey Butter Pork Tenderloin - One of those recipes that never receives a complaint in our house! 
    • Slow Cooker Fall Apart Roast - A super easy slow cooker meal for the next time you have a comfort-food craving. 
    • Grilled Honey Chicken (un)Kabobs - The first time you make these will win you over.... these are a repeat menu item for us.

    👨🏼‍🍳 Tips & Tricks

    • Make sure the broccoli florets are similar in size so that they cook evenly. I aim for bite size pieces.
    • Use fresh, real lemon. The bottled lemon juice is just not the same.
    • Use real parmesan cheese. The powdery cheese from the green can doesn't have the same creamy texture or quality of flavor.

    👋🏻 Connect with us!

    If you try this recipe, please leave a comment and star rating to let us know how it is! We’d also love to connect with you on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest. Tag @borrowedbites or hashtag #borrowedbites to show us your food!

    📋 Recipe

    Lemon broccoli pasta in a white bowl with a gray towel underneath.

    Easy Lemon Broccoli Pasta

    This Lemon Broccoli Pasta is a fast and easy weeknight dinner that will be done in just 25 minutes! It's packed with bright, fresh lemon and creamy parmesan cheese for flavors that the whole family will love. Plus this pasta with broccoli is a low-heat meal for summer and great for entertaining.
    4.93 from 13 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Cook Time: 20 minutes
    Total Time: 25 minutes
    Servings: 8
    Calories: 382kcal
    Author: Borrowed Bites

    Ingredients

    • 8 cups broccoli florets about 1 ½ lbs or 4 heads cut into bite-sized florets
    • 1 lb penne pasta or substitute bow tie pasta
    • 4 tablespoon butter
    • 4 tablespoon olive oil
    • 1 tablespoon garlic minced
    • Zest of 2 lemons
    • 1 teaspoon pepper
    • 2 teaspoon kosher salt
    • 4 tablespoon lemon juice freshly squeezed
    • ½ cup parmesan cheese plus more for serving if desired
    • ¼ cup toasted pine nuts (optional)
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions

    • Bring a large pot of water to a boil over high heat and add 1 tablespoon kosher salt. Cook the broccoli for 3 minutes, then remove with a slotted spoon or sieve and set aside.
      8 cups broccoli florets
    • Return the water to a boil and cook the pasta according to the package directions (about 10-12 minutes). Before draining, reserve 1-2 tablespoon of the pasta water in a small cup. Then drain pasta and set aside with broccoli.
      1 lb penne pasta
    • In a large skillet on the stove or electric skillet, melt butter and oil over medium-low heat. Add garlic and lemon zest and cook for 1 minute. Turn off the heat and add pepper, salt, and lemon juice. Stir well.
      4 tablespoon butter, 4 tablespoon olive oil, 1 tablespoon garlic, Zest of 2 lemons, 1 teaspoon pepper, 2 teaspoon kosher salt, 4 tablespoon lemon juice
    • Add the cooked broccoli, pasta, parmesan cheese, and 1 tablespoon of reserved pasta water to the skillet. Stir well, adding additional pasta water if needed to reach desired consistency. Top with extra parmesan or toasted pine nuts if desired.
      ½ cup parmesan cheese, ¼ cup toasted pine nuts
    • We love comments! Please come back and leave us one after you’ve tried this recipe.

    Notes

    Tips & Tricks
    • Make sure the broccoli florets are similar in size so that they cook evenly. I aim for bite size pieces.
    • Use fresh lemons. The bottled lemon juice is just not the same.
    • Use real parmesan cheese. The powdery cheese from the green can doesn't have the same creamy texture or quality of flavor.
     
    Serving to a Crowd
    If you are doubling the recipe, boil the broccoli in two rounds (so as to not overcrowd the pot). Additionally, use two large skillets instead of one (make one recipe of sauce in each skillet).
     
    Keeping Pasta Warm Before Serving
    Before starting the pasta, fill slow cooker with 1 inch of water and turn on high. When pasta is ready, dump the water out and turn the heat to “keep warm.” Add the pasta and cover with the lid until serving time.
     
    Storing and Reheating Leftovers
    Leftovers store well in an air-tight container for up to 1 week. Reheat gently in the microwave. If the pasta is a bit dry, add a splash of water, chicken broth, or a bit of oil. You can also add fresh parmesan or a splash of lemon juice to revive the flavor.

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    Nutrition

    Calories: 382kcal | Carbohydrates: 50g | Protein: 12g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 19mg | Sodium: 765mg | Potassium: 427mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 791IU | Vitamin C: 84mg | Calcium: 132mg | Iron: 2mg

    All nutrition information is provided by a third party and is an estimate only. Use your own nutritional calculator for more specific measurements.

    Tried this recipe?Leave a rating or pin it for later!

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Toni says

      December 21, 2022 at 6:44 pm

      I always add chicken to mine and the family loves it.

      Reply
      • Misty says

        December 22, 2022 at 12:25 pm

        That's a great way to make it even more filling. Glad you enjoy it!

        Reply
    2. Rachel says

      June 16, 2021 at 6:30 pm

      5 stars
      Fast, easy, simple ingredients, and best of all, DELICIOUS. I made sure to use actual lemon juice and real Parmesan cheese. Make sure your skillet is truly large as I underestimated how fast this recipe grows once you combine all ingredients into the skillet. I will absolutely be making again!

      Reply
      • Danielle says

        June 17, 2021 at 10:37 am

        Yes, it does require a large skillet! So happy to hear you loved it as much as we do. Thanks for taking the time to leave feedback! We love that!

        Reply
    3. Janessa says

      July 14, 2020 at 12:52 pm

      5 stars
      I am such a fan! That was fast and really flavorful. I’ll make this again for sure.

      Reply
      • Misty says

        July 14, 2020 at 1:00 pm

        Happy you liked it. It's on my meal plan on repeat too!

        Reply
    4. Theresa D. says

      July 11, 2020 at 6:49 pm

      5 stars
      This was so fabulous, the whole pan was licked clean. Even my picky eater loved this!!! Thank you so much for sharing your food with us!

      Reply
      • Danielle says

        July 12, 2020 at 10:26 am

        Yay!So happy you loved it. It certainly is a favorite around here.

        Reply
    5. Patricia M. says

      June 01, 2020 at 10:55 am

      5 stars
      This recipe is SO easy and delicious!

      Reply
      • Misty says

        June 01, 2020 at 12:56 pm

        Glad you loved it!

        Reply

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