Description
A vibrant and flavorful broccoli pasta shells recipe that combines roasted broccoli and garlic with fresh herbs, lemon, and parmesan to create a creamy pesto sauce. This dish is quick to prepare, perfect for a nutritious weeknight dinner, and offers a delightful balance of textures and flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables and Herbs
- 1 head of broccoli, chopped into florets
- 1 garlic clove, unpeeled
- ½ small pack parsley
- ½ small pack basil
- ½ lemon, zested and juiced
Pasta and Nuts
- 250g pasta shells
- 30g toasted pine nuts
Oils and Dairy
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 30g parmesan (or vegetarian alternative), plus extra to serve
Instructions
- Roast the broccoli and garlic: Preheat the oven to 200°C (180°C fan/gas mark 6). Toss the chopped broccoli florets and the unpeeled garlic clove with 1 tablespoon of olive oil on a roasting tray. Roast for 10-12 minutes until the broccoli is softened and slightly caramelized.
- Cook the pasta: Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta shells and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta and set aside.
- Prepare the pesto blend: Place the parsley, basil, toasted pine nuts, lemon juice, and parmesan into a blender. Once the broccoli and garlic are roasted, squeeze the softened garlic from its skin and add it to the blender along with the rest of the roasted broccoli (reserving a few smaller florets for garnish). Pulse the mixture until smooth to create a rich pesto sauce. Season well with salt and pepper.
- Combine pasta and pesto: Toss the drained pasta shells with the broccoli pesto until evenly coated. Stir in the reserved broccoli florets gently.
- Serve and garnish: Divide the pasta between two bowls. Top with extra parmesan, lemon zest, and a good grinding of black pepper if desired. Serve immediately for the best flavor.
Notes
- You can substitute pine nuts with walnuts or almonds if preferred.
- For a vegan option, use a plant-based parmesan alternative or nutritional yeast.
- Roasting the garlic unpeeled softens the flavor; ensure you squeeze it out after roasting for a milder garlic taste.
- Adjust the lemon juice and zest to your taste for brightness.
- Reserve some broccoli florets before blending to add texture and visual appeal to the dish.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: Italian
Keywords: broccoli pasta, broccoli pesto, vegetarian pasta, roasted broccoli recipe, easy pasta dinner, Italian pasta dish, pine nuts pasta
