Garlic Oil Sauteed Pasta with Broccoli - Penne pasta tossed in garlicky broccoli and olive oil with a hint of heat from red pepper flakes topped with plenty of Parmesan cheese for serving. Simple, easy and completely delicious.
Broccoli florets are cooked in a skillet with lots of olive oil and whole garlic cloves to infuse them with flavor. Once the broccoli is tender the whole cloves are taken out and minced garlic is added in along with red pepper flakes.
It’s tossed together with the pasta and finished with lots of Parmesan cheese.
This is the perfect meatless meal and even works as a side dish to chicken or steak. It’s also versatile meaning you can add to it – cooked chicken, shrimp or steak, more veggies and you can spice it up even more if you like with red pepper flakes.
You can find this in almost every Italian restaurant. It’s a classic.
Now you can make it at home.
Serving Ideas :
- Pair with a simple side salad and crusty bread for a full meal.
- Add grilled chicken or shrimp on top for extra protein.
- Squeeze a little lemon juice over it if you like a bright finish.
- Double up on the veggies—zucchini or cherry tomatoes work great too.
FAQ :
Can I use frozen broccoli?
Yes! Just thaw it first and pat it dry so it doesn’t water down the oil. It’ll still turn out tender and delicious.
Is this pasta very spicy?
Not at all—unless you want it to be. Add as much or as little red pepper flakes as you like.
What other pasta shapes work well?
Short pasta like rigatoni or fusilli is great, but spaghetti or linguine also work for a more traditional feel.
Can I make this vegan?
Easily! Just skip the Parmesan or use a dairy-free alternative.
Why You’ll Love This Pasta :
- Ready in 30 minutes with basic ingredients.
- Light and fresh but still super satisfying.
- Great way to sneak in extra veggies without it feeling like a “health food” meal.
- No cream, no butter—just good olive oil and garlic magic.
- Perfect for weeknights, or whenever you just want something easy and good.
★ If you make this recipe, please leave a comment and give it a star rating. I would love to know how you liked it!
📖 Recipe
Garlic, Broccoli & Olive Oil Pasta
Ingredients
- ½ cup extra-virgin olive oil plus more if needed.
- 4 peeled whole cloves garlic smashed plus 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 6 cups broccoli florets fresh or frozen (thawed)
- sea salt and fresh black pepper
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 8 ounces penne pasta
- grated Parmesan cheese for serving
Instructions
- Heat the oil over medium-low heat in a large frying pan fitted with a splatter screen and add the whole garlic cloves and the broccoli with a few dashes each of salt and pepper. Cook until the broccoli is fork tender, stirring often.
- Meanwhile cook the pasta to al dente in plenty of salted water.
- When the broccoli is tender remove the whole garlic cloves and discard them. Move the broccoli to the sides of the pan making a well in the middle.
- Add the garlic and red pepper flakes to the well and stir until the garlic is fragrant about 2 minutes.
- Add the drained pasta and toss well. Season to taste with salt and pepper and more red pepper flakes, if desired.
- Serve with lots of grated Parm and another drizzle of olive oil, if needed.
Nutrition
This Garlic Oil Sautéed Pasta with Broccoli is proof that you don’t need a lot of ingredients to make something that’s cozy, flavorful, and really satisfying. It’s perfect for those nights when you just want to cook something simple, without sacrificing taste.
If you make it, I’d love to know—do you go extra garlicky or heavy on the Parm? Let me know in the comments!
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