Need a quick family dinner made with a handful of everyday ingredients? This broccoli and garlic penne combines tender pasta, fresh broccoli, gently cooked garlic and a squeeze of lemon in a light, flavourful sauce.
Instead of using cream or a ready-made pasta sauce, the recipe makes use of a little starchy pasta cooking water. It helps the garlic-infused oil coat the penne, bringing everything together with minimal fuss.
Ready in approximately 25 minutes, this budget-friendly pasta recipe is particularly useful for busy UK households looking for simple meat-free midweek meals.
Why This Broccoli Pasta Is Worth Making
- Ready in approximately 25 minutes.
- Uses affordable supermarket ingredients.
- Cooks the broccoli and pasta in the same saucepan.
- Doesn’t require cream or a jar of pasta sauce.
- Easy to adapt with beans, chickpeas or frozen vegetables.
Recipe at a Glance
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Servings | 4 |
| Preparation time | 10 minutes |
| Cooking time | Approximately 15 minutes |
| Total time | Approximately 25 minutes |
| Course | Main meal |
| Cooking method | Hob |
| Dietary information | Vegetarian when using suitable optional cheese |
Ingredients
- 300g dried penne pasta
- 400g broccoli florets
- 3 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
- 1 tbsp olive oil or vegetable oil
- ¼ tsp chilli flakes, optional
- Juice of ½ lemon
- 2 tbsp grated vegetarian hard cheese, optional
- Freshly ground black pepper
Ingredient Notes
Penne: The hollow pasta shapes catch small pieces of broccoli and the light garlic sauce. Wholewheat penne also works, although its cooking time may differ.
Broccoli: Cut larger florets into smaller pieces so they cook evenly. Frozen broccoli can be used if fresh isn’t available.
Garlic: Thin slices release flavour into the warm oil. Keep the heat gentle because browned garlic can taste bitter.
Lemon: A little juice brightens the finished dish. Add it towards the end rather than cooking it for a long time.
Cheese: Choose a hard cheese labelled vegetarian if required. The recipe also works without cheese.
How to Make Broccoli and Garlic Penne
Step 1: Prepare the Ingredients
Wash the broccoli and cut it into evenly sized florets.
Thinly slice the garlic and squeeze half a lemon, removing any seeds.
Having everything ready makes the final cooking stages easier because the garlic needs only a short time in the pan.
Step 2: Cook the Penne
Bring a large saucepan of water to the boil and add a little salt if desired.
Cook the penne according to the packet instructions.
During the final 3–4 minutes of cooking, add the broccoli florets to the same saucepan.
The broccoli should become tender while retaining some texture.
Step 3: Reserve the Pasta Water
Before draining, carefully scoop out a mug of the starchy cooking water.
Drain the pasta and broccoli together.
Do not rinse them, as the remaining starch helps the sauce cling to the penne.
Step 4: Gently Cook the Garlic
Heat the oil in a large frying pan over a low to medium heat.
Add the sliced garlic and optional chilli flakes.
Cook gently for approximately one minute, stirring frequently. The garlic should become fragrant without turning dark brown.
Step 5: Bring Everything Together
Add the drained penne and broccoli to the frying pan.
Pour in a small splash of reserved pasta water and toss gently.
Add a little more water as needed until the pasta is lightly coated rather than dry or watery.
Step 6: Finish with Lemon
Remove the pan from the heat.
Stir through the lemon juice and season with freshly ground black pepper.
Scatter over the optional vegetarian hard cheese and serve immediately.
The Secret to a Light Garlic Pasta Sauce
You don’t need cream to make pasta feel satisfying.
As penne cooks, it releases starch into the water. Adding a small amount of that water to the garlic-infused oil helps create a light coating that clings to the pasta and broccoli.
For the best result, reserve the water before draining and add it gradually. Too much at once can leave liquid at the bottom of the pan.
Keep the garlic pale and fragrant. If it burns, its bitter flavour can overpower the dish.
How to Make This Pasta More Filling on a Budget
This recipe is easy to stretch using inexpensive cupboard and freezer ingredients.
Stir through a drained tin of cannellini beans or chickpeas for extra substance. Frozen peas can also be added to the pasta water towards the end of cooking.
If broccoli is expensive that week, compare the price of frozen florets. They can be just as convenient for this type of dish.
You can also use wholewheat penne if your family enjoys it, following the packet’s cooking instructions.
What to Serve with Broccoli and Garlic Penne
The pasta works well as a simple main meal. For a larger family dinner, serve it with a tomato salad, cucumber sticks or another vegetable already available at home.
A little extra lemon at the table gives everyone the option to adjust the flavour.
Storage and Reheating
This dish is best eaten freshly made because the pasta can absorb the light sauce as it cools.
Allow leftovers to cool promptly, refrigerate within two hours and eat within 48 hours.
Reheat until steaming hot throughout, adding a small splash of water if needed to loosen the pasta. Reheat leftovers only once.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use frozen broccoli?
Yes. Add frozen broccoli directly to the boiling pasta water and adjust the cooking time until tender. Drain well before adding it to the frying pan.
Can I make broccoli and garlic penne without cheese?
Absolutely. The garlic, lemon and pasta water provide flavour and help coat the pasta even without cheese.
Is Parmesan suitable for vegetarians?
Traditional Parmesan uses animal rennet. Choose a hard cheese specifically labelled vegetarian if required.
Can I add chickpeas or white beans?
Yes. Drain and rinse them, then stir them through the pasta until thoroughly heated.
Why does my garlic taste bitter?
Garlic can become bitter when cooked over excessive heat or browned too deeply. Use gentle heat and remove the pan from the hob if it begins to colour too quickly.
Can I use a different pasta shape?
Yes. Fusilli, rigatoni or another short pasta can work. Follow the cooking instructions on the packet and adjust when you add the broccoli.
Discover More Affordable Family Dinners
If you enjoy simple meals made with familiar ingredients, explore our Budget Family Meals UK guide for more affordable dinner ideas.
You can also organise your weekly menu and shopping list with our Free UK Family Meal Planner.