Bow Tie Pasta with Broccoli and Broccoli Sauce

Elevate your weeknight dinner routine with this creamy, flavor-packed Bow Tie Pasta with Broccoli and Broccoli Sauce. Featuring tender farfalle pasta tossed in a velvety broccoli-based sauce, this recipe is a perfect way to enjoy a comforting yet nutrient-rich dish. Steamed broccoli is blended with heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, and a hint of lemon zest for a sauce that's both luscious and bright, while red pepper flakes add a subtle kick. This 30-minute recipe is not only quick and easy but also highlights the star ingredient in two forms: as the main sauce and as delightful florets for added texture. Perfect as a vegetarian main course, this dish is ideal for a cozy family meal or entertaining guests. Serve hot, garnished with extra Parmesan and a sprinkle of spices for a restaurant-quality finish.

Nutriscore Rating: 63/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:20 mins

Total Time:30 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 12 oz bow tie pasta (farfalle)
• 4 cups broccoli florets
• 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 3 oz grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 tsp lemon zest
• 1 tsp salt
• 0.5 tsp black pepper, freshly ground
• 0.25 tsp red pepper flakes
• 1 cup water (reserved from pasta cooking)

Directions

Step 1

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the bow tie pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta and set aside.

Step 2

While the pasta is cooking, steam the broccoli florets until tender, about 5-7 minutes. Set aside 1 cup of the steamed broccoli for sauce preparation.

Step 3

In a blender or food processor, combine the reserved 1 cup of steamed broccoli, 1 tablespoon of olive oil, heavy cream, grated Parmesan cheese, lemon zest, salt, and black pepper. Blend until smooth. If the sauce is too thick, add a few tablespoons of the reserved pasta cooking water until it reaches your desired consistency.

Step 4

In a large skillet, heat the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute, until fragrant.

Step 5

Add the broccoli sauce to the skillet and stir to warm it through, about 2-3 minutes. Stir in a pinch of red pepper flakes for a slight kick, if desired.

Step 6

Add the cooked pasta and the remaining steamed broccoli florets to the skillet. Toss everything together until the pasta is evenly coated with the sauce. If needed, add a bit more reserved pasta cooking water to loosen the sauce.

Step 7

Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and black pepper, if necessary.

Step 8

Serve immediately, garnished with extra grated Parmesan cheese and a sprinkle of red pepper flakes, if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(883.1g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1153.8

Total Fat 107.0g	0%
Saturated Fat 51.7g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat g
Cholesterol 240mg	0%
Sodium 191.1mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 23.5g	0%
Dietary Fiber 9.6g	0%
Total Sugars 4.4g
Protein 14.1g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 200.0mg	0%
Iron 3.6mg	0%
Potassium 66.1mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 86.5%

Protein: 5.1%

Carbs: 8.4%