By Elise BauerView →
KID APPROVED
This Easy 20-Minute Pasta Gets My Son to Eat Broccoli
★★★★★
5.0 (165)|(2 Reviews)Tender pasta and bright green broccoli florets tossed in garlic parmesan olive oil with a squeeze of lemon.
J
By Jeanine Donofrio (Recipe Developer)•Published April 25, 2026
⏱ 20 mins
Simply Recipes / Jeanine Donofrio🔥 380 kcal
WHY MAKE THIS
- One pot to boil both pasta and broccoli together.
- Ready in 20 minutes with healthy greens.
KID APPROVED
This Easy 20-Minute Pasta Gets My Son to Eat Broccoli
Broccoli florets are cooked directly in the same boiling pasta water for the last 3 minutes of cooking. Tossed with warm garlic oil, crushed red pepper, and heaps of parmesan, even picky eaters love it.
Prep Time5 mins
Cook Time15 mins
Total Time20 mins
Servings4 servings
Scale Recipe:
📱Keep Screen Awake While Cooking
Ingredients
- 12 oz orecchiette or penne pasta
- 1 large head broccoli, cut into bite-size florets
- 1/4 cup olive oil & 3 cloves garlic, sliced
- 3/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- Zest and juice of 1/2 lemon & pinch of red pepper flakes
Directions
1
Boil pasta and broccoli
Boil pasta in salted water. Add broccoli for the last 3 minutes of cooking; drain together, reserving 1/2 cup pasta water.
2
Toss with garlic oil and parmesan
Sizzle garlic in olive oil 1 min. Toss with pasta, broccoli, parmesan, lemon, and pasta water until glossy.
💡 CHEF'S PRO TIPS
- Cooking broccoli in the salted pasta water seasons it from the inside out.
Nutrition Facts
Per ServingCalories380 kcal
Protein14g
Carbs52g
Total Fat14g
Sodium: 320mg
Fiber: 5g
Sugar: 2g
Community Reviews & Ratings
2 cooks have shared their thoughts on this recipe
S
Sarah M.★★★★★
This has completely replaced my normal avocado toast! The beans blend so well you cannot even tell, and I stay full until lunchtime!
D
David K.★★★★★
Great trick for adding protein without cooking eggs on busy mornings. Added a pinch of red pepper flakes and lemon zest—delicious.
