One-Pot Lemon Broccoli Pasta (Printable)

Bright, spring-inspired pasta featuring tender broccoli, zesty lemon, and silky garlic sauce cooked in a single pot.

# 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 Make It:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large deep skillet or pot over medium heat. Add sliced garlic and finely chopped onion, sautéing for 1 to 2 minutes until fragrant and translucent, but not browned.
02 - Add dried pasta, broccoli florets, vegetable broth, and milk to the pot. Stir to combine and bring to a rolling boil.
03 - Reduce heat to a simmer. Cook uncovered, stirring frequently to prevent sticking, for 10 to 12 minutes until pasta reaches al dente texture and most liquid has reduced to a silky sauce.
04 - Stir in lemon zest, lemon juice, grated Parmesan cheese, sea salt, black pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes. Adjust seasoning to taste.
05 - Remove from heat and allow to stand for 2 to 3 minutes, permitting the sauce to thicken slightly.
06 - Transfer to serving bowls and garnish with additional Parmesan cheese and fresh herbs as desired. Serve immediately while hot.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The sauce creates itself while the pasta cooks, no separate roux or reduction needed
  • Bright lemon cuts through richness without making it feel heavy or weighed down
  • Everything happens in one vessel, meaning you spend more time eating and less time scrubbing
02 -
  • The liquid will look too soupy at first, but trust the process—it reduces into sauce as the pasta releases starch
  • Stir often during simmering or the milk might scorch on the bottom of the pot
  • Lemon flavor fades as it sits, so add the juice right before serving and taste again before plating
03 -
  • Use a wide pot rather than a tall one—more surface area means faster reduction and better sauce development
  • Grate your Parmesan from a wedge if possible, the flavor difference is remarkable compared to pre-grated
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