Broccoli Chickpea Pasta with Garlic Olive Oil Recipe
A flavorful and nutritious Broccoli Chickpea Pasta with Garlic Olive Oil, combining tender broccoli florets, protein-rich chickpeas, and al dente pasta, all tossed in a fragrant garlic and olive oil sauce with a hint of red pepper flakes and lemon. Perfect for a quick, healthy weeknight meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 250g Pasta (penne, rotini, or fusilli)
Vegetables and Legumes
- 300g Broccoli Florets (fresh or frozen)
- 1 can (400g) Chickpeas, drained & rinsed
Sauce and Seasonings
- 4–5 cloves Garlic, minced
- 60ml Olive Oil
- ¼ teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes
- 60ml Vegetable Broth
- 1 tablespoon Lemon Juice
- 30g Grated Parmesan Cheese (optional)
- Salt & Black Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Cook the pasta al dente in a pot of boiling salted water, reserving ½ cup of the pasta cooking water before draining to help adjust the sauce consistency later.
- Sauté Garlic and Red Pepper Flakes: Heat olive oil in a large pan over medium heat, then add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes. Sauté for about one minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
- Cook Broccoli: Add broccoli florets to the pan and cook for 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally until they are tender-crisp and vibrant green.
- Add Chickpeas and Broth: Stir in the drained chickpeas, vegetable broth, and lemon juice. Allow the mixture to simmer gently for 2–3 minutes to warm through and meld the flavors.
- Toss Pasta with Sauce: Add the drained pasta to the pan and toss thoroughly to combine. If the sauce seems too thick, add reserved pasta water a little at a time until desired consistency is reached.
- Season and Serve: Season with salt and black pepper to taste. If desired, sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese on top before serving warm.
Notes
- You can use fresh or frozen broccoli florets depending on availability.
- For a vegan version, omit the Parmesan cheese or substitute with a vegan cheese alternative.
- Adjust the amount of red pepper flakes based on your preferred spice level.
- Reserved pasta water adds starch that helps the sauce cling better to the pasta.
Keywords: Broccoli chickpea pasta, garlic olive oil pasta, vegetarian pasta recipe, healthy pasta with chickpeas, quick weeknight dinner
