Really Quick Broccoli Pasta

Ingredients

• 350g / 12 oz dried short pasta (I used small shells)
• 2 broccoli heads (BIG!)
• 1 cup (100g) shredded cheese (or more!)

PASTA SAUCE (NOTES FOR SUBS):

• 2 tsp lemon zest
• 2 tbsp lemon juice (or more!)
• 5 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 1/3 cup (30g) parmesan, finely grated
• 2 garlic cloves , minced
• 1 tsp mixed dried herbs (or fresh!)
• 1/2 tsp+ red pepper flakes
• 1 tsp sugar
• 3/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp pepper

SERVING:

• More parmesan

Instructions

• Boil a large pot of water with 2 tsp salt, add pasta.

WHILE PASTA IS COOKING:

• Chop broccoli into small florets.
• Place Sauce ingredients in a jar with lid.
• Add broccoli into water 1 - 2 minutes before pasta is cooked.
• SCOOP OUT 1 cup pasta cooking water.
• Add 1/2 cup pasta water to Pasta Sauce jar, shake.
• Drain pasta and broccoli, put back into same pot on turned off stove.
• Pour over Sauce, add cheese.
• Stir vigorously, adding more pasta water if required. Add more salt and pepper if required. Serve immediately, garnished with parmesan.

 Recipe Notes:

This recipe will serve 4 as a main or 6 to 8 as a side. To scale recipe, click Servings and slide.

Recipe substitutions:

• Pasta - any short pasta is fine here, macaroni/elbow, twirls, penne, ziti, orecchiette etc.
• Broccoli - this dish can take loads of broccoli, and still worth making even if you're a bit short (or scale recipe down - click on servings and slide).
• Cheese - any melting cheese fine here, preferably flavoured like cheddar, Monterey Jack, tasty, gruyere, Swiss. Mozzarella also fine but you'll probably need more salt.
• Parmesan - store bought pre grated fine in this recipe. OK if you don't have (as long as you have shredded cheese!)
• Lemon - not intended to be a full on lemon pasta, but the subtle tang and hint of lemon is terrific. Feel free to jack up the lemon flavour. Subs: 1.5 tbsp more oil or a mild vinegar like white wine vinegar, champagne vinegar, even rice wine.
• Garlic - could stir through green onions instead, or add 1/2 tsp garlic or onion powder into Sauce. OR finely grate any onion and add 2 tbsp it into dressing (juices and all).
• Herbs - mixed herbs includes a bit of rosemary, thyme, parsley, oregano, dried basil. Feel free to use any you want, skip it, OR use fresh herbs
  • 1/2 cup sliced fresh basil right at the end would be amazing
  • 1/4 - 1/2 cup chives, parsley
  • 2 tbsp oregano
• Red pepper flakes - for touch of heat, totally optional
• Sugar - totally optional (takes edge off the sour)

Nutrition per serving as a main (4 servings).

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