Pasta with Garlic and Broccoli
This post was originally published on May 24, 2021.
Pasta with Garlic and Broccoli can be served vegetarian style or with a side of chicken or meat. with or without a side of meat. For a quick 15-minute meal, enjoy with a side of fruit and your favorite milk option!
Sometimes you just need a reliable meal that will get on the table in 20 minutes or less.
Pasta with Garlic and Broccoli is one of my go-to quick-and-easy meals. I always have some form of pasta in the pantry and frozen broccoli in the freezer.
Occasionally I include it in our weekly meal plan, but mostly I save it for those nights when it’s getting close to dinner time and I have no clue what to make.
This recipe gets the job done.
It also is allergy-friendly, with options to become a meal free-from the top nine allergens.
So, ready to get started?
Let me know your favorite 20-minute, allergy-friendly meals in the comments below!
Do I have to use a frozen steamer bag of broccoli?
The short answer is no. You can always steam fresh broccoli to use in this recipe. You can also make your own pasta noodles. But only if you have the extra time.
There is nothing wrong with using shortcuts, like frozen steamer bags of veggies. But if you have fresh broccoli that needs to get used or it will become waste, then please, steam the fresh broccoli!
Can I make Pasta with Garlic and Broccoli into a Deconstructed Meal?
Yes! A deconstructed meal is one that has been modified to serve some of the parts separately. The idea is that once a child (or adult) feels comfortable eating the separated foods, he or she will be ready to start trying the whole dish.
Deconstructed meals can help with:
Picky eaters through increased neutral food exposures
Young eats that require developmentally appropriate food options
Individuals with food allergies, intolerances, or sensory processing disorders.
To make a quick Deconstructed Meal, serve Pasta with Garlic and Broccoli along with sides of plain noodles, broccoli florets, fruit, shredded Parmesan cheese (contains milk), and your favorite milk or milk-free alternative.
What are allergy-friendly substitutions for Pasta with Garlic and Broccoli?
As written, this recipe contains wheat. If you use Parmesan cheese, then it will also contain milk. As always, check every label, every time for individual ingredients. Some noodles may contain or have isk for cross contact with eggs, soy or other allergens.
To make wheat-free Pasta with Garlic and Broccoli: use wheat-free/gluten-free noodles.
To make milk-free Pasta with Garlic and Broccoli: use Nutritional yeast or milk-free Parmesan cheese alternative.
How to make Pasta with Garlic and Broccoli:
Step 1: Wash your hands with soap and warm water. Gather your ingredients.
Step 2a: Fill a large pot halfway with water and bring to a boil.
Step 2b: Add the pasta and cook according to directions on package. (Yikes! Looks like my stove top needs cleaning.)
Step 3: Five minutes before pasta is done, place steamer bag of broccoli in microwave and cook according to directions on package.
Step 4: Drain the pasta and place in large mixing bowl. Toss with Extra Virgin olive oil, Nutritional yeast, and seasoning. Gently stir in broccoli. Enjoy!
Pasta with Garlic and Broccoli
Lisa Woodruff | September 19, 2022
- Prep time: 5 minutes
- Cook time: 10-15 minutes
- Total time: 15-20 minutes
No nuts | No eggs | No milk | No soy | No fish | No sesame
Contains wheat (noodles). May contain milk if using Parmesan cheese.
Ingredients:
- 8 ounces egg-free noodles, such as penne
- 1 steamer bag frozen broccoli
- 1 Tablespoon Extra Virgin olive oil
- 1-2 Tablespoons Nutritional yeast (or shredded Parmesan cheese)
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions:
- Wash hands with soap and warm water. Gather ingredients and supplies.
- Fill a large pot halfway with water and bring to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to directions on the package.
- Five minutes before pasta is done, place steamer bag of broccoli in microwave and cook according to directions on the package.
- Drain the pasta and place in a large mixing bowl. Toss with Extra Virgin olive oil, Nutritional yeast (or Parmesan cheese), and seasonings. Gently stir in broccoli.
Allergy-friendly Substitutions:
- No wheat: use wheat-free noodles
- No milk: use Nutritional yeast or milk-free Parmesan cheese
