Garlic Parmesan Broccoli Pasta Recipe

Pasta: The base of the dish, any type of pasta will work, but choose your favorite.

Broccoli florets: Adds a healthy, green element to the dish.

Garlic: Provides a strong, aromatic flavor that enhances the dish.

Olive oil: Used for sautéing and adds a rich, smooth texture.

Nutritional yeast: A dairy-free alternative to parmesan cheese, giving a cheesy flavor.

Salt and pepper: Essential for seasoning and bringing out the flavors.

When sautéing the garlic in olive oil, be sure to keep the heat at medium to avoid burning it. Burnt garlic can impart a bitter taste to the dish. Instead, aim for a light golden brown color, which will enhance the flavor of the broccoli and pasta.

• pasta - Substitute with gluten-free pasta: Suitable for those with gluten intolerance or celiac disease.

• broccoli florets - Substitute with cauliflower florets: Provides a similar texture and can be roasted or steamed just like broccoli.

• minced garlic - Substitute with garlic powder: Offers a similar garlic flavor, though it is less pungent.

• olive oil - Substitute with avocado oil: Has a higher smoke point and a neutral flavor, making it a good alternative for cooking.

• nutritional yeast - Substitute with vegan parmesan: Provides a similar cheesy flavor and can be found in most health food stores.

• salt - Substitute with sea salt: Contains more minerals and is less processed than table salt.

• pepper - Substitute with white pepper: Offers a milder flavor and is less visually noticeable in light-colored dishes.

• Allow the pasta to cool completely before storing. This helps prevent condensation, which can make the dish soggy.
• Transfer the Garlic Parmesan Broccoli Pasta to an airtight container. Make sure the container is sealed tightly to maintain freshness.
• Store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop, adding a splash of olive oil or water to keep it from drying out.
• For freezing, portion the pasta into individual servings. This makes it easier to reheat only what you need.
• Place the portions in freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Squeeze out as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn.
• Label the containers or bags with the date to keep track of how long they’ve been stored.
• Freeze for up to 2 months. When ready to eat, thaw in the refrigerator overnight.
• Reheat the thawed pasta in a skillet over medium heat, adding a bit of olive oil or water to help revive the texture.
• For best results, avoid freezing the pasta with the nutritional yeast already mixed in. Instead, add it fresh after reheating to maintain its parmesan flavor and texture.

• Stovetop Method:

  1. Drizzle a bit of olive oil in a large skillet and heat over medium.
  2. Add the leftover Garlic Parmesan Broccoli Pasta and stir occasionally.
  3. Cook for about 5-7 minutes until heated through, ensuring the broccoli florets remain tender.

• Microwave Method:

  1. Place the pasta in a microwave-safe dish.
  2. Add a splash of water or vegetable broth to keep it moist.
  3. Cover with a microwave-safe lid or plastic wrap.
  4. Heat on high for 1-2 minutes, stir, then heat for another 1-2 minutes until hot.

• Oven Method:

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Transfer the pasta to an oven-safe dish.
  3. Cover with aluminum foil to prevent drying out.
  4. Bake for about 15-20 minutes, or until heated through.

• Steaming Method:

  1. Place the pasta in a steamer basket over boiling water.
  2. Cover and steam for about 5-7 minutes.
  3. This method helps retain the texture of the broccoli florets and keeps the pasta moist.

• Air Fryer Method:

  1. Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Place the pasta in an air fryer-safe dish.
  3. Heat for about 5-7 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through to ensure even heating.

• Large pot: used to cook the pasta according to package instructions.

• Colander: used to drain the cooked pasta.

• Large skillet: used to sauté the garlic and cook the broccoli florets.

• Wooden spoon: used to stir the garlic, broccoli, and pasta in the skillet.

• Measuring cups: used to measure the olive oil and nutritional yeast.

• Garlic press: used to mince the garlic cloves.

• Chef's knife: used to cut the broccoli into florets.

• Cutting board: used as a surface to cut the broccoli and mince the garlic.

• Serving bowl: used to serve the finished garlic parmesan broccoli pasta.

• Tongs: used to toss the pasta and broccoli mixture in the skillet.

Pre-cut broccoli: Buy pre-cut broccoli florets to save time on chopping.

Use jarred garlic: Opt for jarred minced garlic instead of fresh to reduce prep time.

Cook pasta ahead: Cook the pasta in advance and store it in the fridge. Reheat it when ready to use.

One-pot method: Cook the broccoli in the same pot as the pasta during the last few minutes of boiling to save on cleanup.

Pre-measure ingredients: Measure out the olive oil, nutritional yeast, salt, and pepper before starting to streamline the cooking process.