Description
A simple and comforting one-pot dish combining tender bowtie pasta and vibrant broccoli, tossed in a buttery Parmesan sauce with a bright touch of fresh lemon juice. Perfect for a quick family meal or an easy weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Vegetables
- 16 ounces bowtie (farfalle) pasta
- 2 heads broccoli, cut into florets
Sauce and Seasoning
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
Instructions
- Boil water: Add about 8 cups of water to a large pot and bring it to a boil over medium-high heat.
- Add pasta: Once the water is boiling, add a pinch of salt and the bowtie pasta to the pot.
- Start cooking pasta and add broccoli: Cook the pasta for 3 to 4 minutes, then add the broccoli florets on top of the pasta in the boiling water.
- Finish cooking: Continue cooking the pasta and broccoli together for about 10 more minutes until the pasta is tender and the broccoli is cooked through. Reserve about 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
- Drain pasta and broccoli: Pour the pasta and broccoli into a colander to drain. Return the empty pot to the stove and heat to medium.
- Melt butter: Add the unsalted butter to the pot and let it melt completely.
- Toss pasta and broccoli: Return the pasta and broccoli to the pot with the melted butter. Add the grated Parmesan cheese and a splash of reserved pasta water. Toss everything together until it is evenly coated and the mixture begins to form a light sauce, adding more pasta water as needed.
- Finish with lemon juice: Remove the pot from heat. Add the fresh lemon juice and give everything a final toss. Serve immediately while warm.
Notes
- Reserving pasta water is key to creating a silky sauce that clings to the pasta and broccoli.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan for best flavor and texture.
- Adjust lemon juice to taste for a brighter or more subtle citrus note.
- For a richer dish, add a splash of heavy cream or a dollop of ricotta cheese.
- This recipe is naturally vegetarian and can be made gluten-free by substituting gluten-free pasta.
