Lemony Broccoli Pasta with Garlic Butter
Bright and simple pasta tossed with tender broccoli florets, garlic butter, and a fresh squeeze of lemon for a lively kid-pleasing meal. This italian-inspired pasta (vegetarian) ready in about 20 minutes pairs pasta (penne or fusilli), cut small broccoli florets, unsalted butter for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 8 oz pasta (penne or fusilli)
- 2 cups, cut small broccoli florets
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- 3, minced garlic cloves
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 oz pasta and 2 cups broccoli florets. Cook together for 8-10 minutes until pasta is al dente and broccoli is tender. Drain and reserve 1/4 cup pasta water.
- Step 2: While pasta cooks, melt 3 tbsp unsalted butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 3 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant but not browned.
- Step 3: Add drained pasta and broccoli to the skillet. Stir in 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice, 1 tsp lemon zest, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Toss well to combine.
- Step 4: Add 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese and 2-3 tbsp reserved pasta water to loosen the sauce. Toss until the cheese melts and coats the pasta evenly.
- Step 5: Serve immediately with extra Parmesan on top if desired.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Lemony Broccoli Pasta with Garlic Butter take to make?
Total time is about 20 minutes (5 min prep + 15 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Lemony Broccoli Pasta with Garlic Butter?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep pasta (penne or fusilli) from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Lemony Broccoli Pasta with Garlic Butter?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Lemony Broccoli Pasta with Garlic Butter for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
Is Lemony Broccoli Pasta with Garlic Butter vegetarian?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
