Healthy Vegetarian Broccoli Chickpea Pasta Recipe
A quick and wholesome vegetarian pasta dish featuring whole wheat pasta, tender broccoli florets, and protein-rich chickpeas, all brought together with garlic, Parmesan cheese, and a hint of red pepper flakes for a flavorful, healthy meal ready in just 25 minutes.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Vegetables
- 8 ounces whole wheat pasta
- 2 cups broccoli florets
- 15 ounces canned chickpeas, drained and rinsed
Seasonings and Extras
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook the pasta and broccoli: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the whole wheat pasta according to the package instructions. When there are 3 minutes remaining on the pasta’s cooking time, add the broccoli florets to the boiling water so they cook alongside the pasta.
- Drain and reserve pasta water: Once the pasta and broccoli are cooked and tender, drain them, reserving about 1/4 cup of the cooking water for later use. Set both aside.
- Sauté the garlic and spices: Return the pot to the stove over medium heat and add the olive oil. Sauté the minced garlic and red pepper flakes for about 1 minute, or until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
- Combine chickpeas and pasta: Add the drained chickpeas, cooked whole wheat pasta, and broccoli back into the pot. Toss everything together to combine well with the garlic and oil.
- Add cheese and create sauce: Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese and add the reserved pasta water gradually, mixing until the cheese melts and creates a light coating over the pasta and vegetables.
- Season and serve: Season the pasta with salt and black pepper to taste. Mix well and serve immediately for a warm, nutritious meal.
Notes
- Using whole wheat pasta boosts the fiber content of the dish, making it more filling and nutritious.
- To keep this meal vegan, substitute Parmesan cheese with a vegan cheese alternative or nutritional yeast.
- The red pepper flakes are optional; add them if you prefer a slight kick of heat.
- You can swap fresh broccoli for frozen florets if fresh is not available; just adjust cooking time accordingly.
- Reserve some pasta water as it helps in creating a silky sauce when combined with cheese.
Keywords: healthy, vegetarian, broccoli, chickpea, whole wheat pasta, quick pasta, nutritious dinner, Italian, easy recipe
