This hearty pasta dish with bright, fresh flavor is ideal for busy weeknights. The Parmesan adds welcome saltiness and notes of umami and you get added texture from the slight crunch of broccoli and whole-wheat noodles.
Reviewed by Dietitian Christa Brown, M.S., RDN, LD Eating Well
Prep Time: 20 mins
Servings: 4 (1 1/3 cup each)
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 medium shallot, minced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 8 ounces whole-wheat rotini or farfalle pasta
- 1 ¾ cups water
- 1 ½ cups low-sodium vegetable broth or chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground pepper
- 1 (10 ounce) package frozen broccoli florets, thawed and coarsely chopped
- ⅓ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 4 teaspoons lemon juice, or more to taste
- Optional add ins: Add some shredded rotisserie chicken, grilled shrimp or crispy chickpeas to increase the protein content.
Directions
- Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add shallot and cook, stirring, until starting to soften, about 2 minutes. Add garlic and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add pasta, water, broth, lemon zest, salt and pepper. Cover and bring to a boil. Uncover, reduce heat to medium-high and cook, stirring frequently, for 10 minutes. Add broccoli and cook, stirring, until heated through, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in Parmesan and lemon juice.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is there a substitution for shallots?
Yes, you can use sweet onions like Vidalia, Maui or Walla Walla, yellow onions or scallions as substitutes for shallots. However, keep in mind that they are not as sweet and mild as shallots. A good rule of thumb is that three small shallots are equal to one small onion. This recipe requires one medium shallot, so if you’re using a regular onion, you’ll only need to use a portion of it.
- Can I substitute the Parmesan for another cheese?
Absolutely, feta or mozzarella would work.
Nutrition Facts (per serving) 210 kcal, 9 gm protein, 10 gm fat, 24 gm carbohydrate, 5 gm Dietary fiber, 451 mg sodium, 100 mg calcium.
