One-Pot Lemon Broccoli Pasta (Printable)

Tender broccoli and zesty lemon combine in a silky garlic sauce for an easy, spring-inspired pasta dinner.

# 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 Steps:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large, wide pot or deep sauté pan over medium heat. Add garlic and onion, sautéing for 1-2 minutes until fragrant and translucent, being careful not to brown.
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 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 and juice, Parmesan cheese, salt, black pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes. Adjust seasoning to taste.
05 - Remove from heat and let stand for 2-3 minutes to allow the sauce to thicken slightly.
06 - Serve hot, garnished with extra Parmesan and fresh herbs as desired.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • Everything cooks in one pot, meaning you spend less time cleaning and more time eating
  • The sauce creates itself from the starch released by the pasta, no separate roux or reduction needed
02 -
  • The sauce will look thin at first but thickens dramatically as it cools slightly, so do not panic
  • Stir more often than you think you need to, especially near the end when the liquid is mostly reduced
03 -
  • Break spaghetti in half if your pot is not wide enough to accommodate full strands
  • Use a microplane for the lemon zest to avoid any bitter white pith
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