One-Pot Lemon Broccoli Pasta (Print Version)

Tender broccoli and zesty lemon come together in this creamy one-pot pasta with garlic-infused sauce.

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

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The sauce creates itself while the pasta cooks, thickening into this impossibly silky emulsion that coats every bite
  • Cleanup takes literally two minutes because everything happens in a single vessel
  • Lemon and broccoli make this feel light and fresh even on heavy comfort-food nights
02 -
  • The sauce might look thin when you first remove the pot from heat but it thickens dramatically in those final resting minutes
  • Resist adding extra salt until the very end because the Parmesan and reduction concentrate saltiness
  • If the pasta absorbs all liquid before it is cooked through, add small splashes of water and continue cooking
03 -
  • Break spaghetti in half if your pot is not large enough for full noodles
  • The broccoli should still have a slight bite when you finish cooking
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