Name: Broccoli Pasta Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 25 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: italian
Ingredients: 500g broccoli; 500g casarecce pasta; 40.00 ml olive oil; 1 leek, white part only, thinly sliced; 4 cloves garlic, crushed; 125.00 ml grated parmesan; Zest and juice of 1/2 a lemon; 62.50 ml chopped mint; Grated parmesan, extra, to serve

by Greer Worsley Last updated on 08/14/2025

Mint, garlic, oil, pasta, broccoli… honestly, this combination makes my heart sing. When you think of happy food, a broccoli pasta may not be the first thing that comes to your mind. But believe me when I say: a bowl of this goodness will leave you feeling nourished to your very soul. It’s just delicious!

How to make broccoli pasta: key tips

This one is fairly straightforward. Just don’t spend too much time cooking the broccoli or the pasta - leave them al dente - and don’t overheat your frying pan to avoid burning your oil and garlic.

Broccoli pasta

What goes into our broccoli pasta recipe?

Many of the ingredients in this recipe are pantry staples. I like to use just your regular everyday broccoli, but broccolini works well too. If you’re after something a little bit special, you might also consider swapping out the parmesan for Parmigiano Reggiano - it will really elevate the dish.

Do you love broccoli as much as I do? Why not try our Broccolini with Crispy Chickpeas and Charred Lemon Salad, Minted Pea and Broccoli Fettuccine, or even Best Broccoli Salad?

Recipe and photo by Greer Worsley with additional notes by the Australia’s Best Recipes team.

- Greer Worsley

Ingredients

500g broccoli
500g casarecce pasta
2 tbsp olive oil
1 leek, white part only, thinly sliced
4 cloves garlic, crushed
1/2 cup grated parmesan
Zest and juice of 1/2 a lemon
1/4 cup chopped mint
Grated parmesan, extra, to serve

Method

Step 1

Bring a large saucepan of salted water to the boil. Roughly chop broccoli into florets and to the pan. Boil for 5 minutes, then remove with a slotted spoon and set aside.
Step 2

Return water to the boil then add pasta and cook until al dente. Drain, reserving 1 1/2 cups cooking water.
Step 3

Meanwhile, heat olive oil in a large frying pan over medium heat. Cook leek and garlic, stirring, until soft and fragrant. Add broccoli and cook, stirring, for a further 4 minutes or until broccoli starts to soften and break down. Add reserved pasta water along with parmesan, lemon zest and juice, mint and cooked pasta. Season well with salt and pepper. Toss to coat the pasta in the sauce. Serve with extra parmesan.