---
comments: true
tags:
  - pasta
  - italian
  - vegetarian
---
# :broccoli: Healthy Pasta with Pesto & Broccoli

![Healthy Pasta with Pesto and Broccoli](../assets/images/healthy-pasta-with-pesto-and-broccoli.jpg){ loading=lazy }

| :fork_and_knife_with_plate: Serves | :timer_clock: Total Time |
|:----------------------------------:|:-----------------------: |
| 6 | 8 minutes |

## :salt: Ingredients

- :spaghetti: 1 pkg fusilli pasta
- :broccoli: 4 cups broccoli florets
- :tomato: 2 cups grape tomatoes
- :cheese_wedge: 0.5 cup Parmesan cheese
- :droplet: 1 cup pasta water
- :olive: 1 Tbsp olive oil
- :garlic: 2 cloves garlic
- :herb: 1 Tbsp [pesto][1]
- :herb: 1 Tbsp [pesto][1]
- :herb: 0.25 cup [pesto][1]
- :tomato: 0.33 cup sun-dried tomatoes
- :salt: 1 salt
- :salt: some black pepper
- :hot_pepper: 0.13 tsp red pepper flakes

## :cooking: Cookware

- 1 dutch oven

## :pencil: Instructions

### Step 1

Cook fusilli pasta as per package instructions.

### Step 2

While pasta is cooking, get all ingredients ready – chop broccoli florets, half grape tomatoes, and grate Parmesan
cheese.

### Step 3

Reserve 1 cup of pasta water, draining the rest. Set aside.

### Step 4

Preheat large deep skillet or a dutch oven on medium heat, add olive oil and garlic. Sauté for 30 seconds, stirring
frequently.

### Step 5

Add 1 tbsp [pesto][1], tomatoes and stir. Cook for 1 – 2 minutes, stir and cook another 1 – 2 minutes.

### Step 6

Move to one side of the skillet and make sure the empty side of is positioned directly over heat. Add 1 tbsp [pesto][1]
and broccoli, stir and cook for 4 minutes, stirring once.

### Step 7

Remove skillet from heat and add remaining 1/4 cup [pesto][1], sun-dried tomatoes, half Parmesan cheese, salt, black
pepper, red pepper flakes, pasta and pasta water. Stir gently and let flavors marinate for a few minutes. Do not cover
because broccoli will become a mushy mess.

### Step 8

Sprinkle with remaining half Parmesan cheese. Serve hot.

## :link: Source

- <https://ifoodreal.com/healthy-pasta/>

[1]: <../sauces-and-dressings/pesto/joy-of-cooking-pesto.md>