Creamy Lemon Broccoli Mafaldine Pasta
Creamy Lemon Broccoli Mafaldine Pasta is a zesty, comforting dinner ready in just 20 minutes. After making this many times, I’ve discovered the secret to perfectly cooked broccoli and a smooth, creamy sauce. The fresh, bright flavors will make your kitchen smell amazing. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Golden Crust Garlic Rosemary Focaccia Muffins and Chicken Caesar Salad Pizza.
Why This Creamy Lemon Broccoli Mafaldine Pasta Is Pure Comfort
- Quick and easy weeknight dinner
- Creamy, tangy lemon sauce
- Tender broccoli florets
- Better than takeout taste
What You'll Need for Creamy Lemon Broccoli Mafaldine Pasta
Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.
- Mafaldine pasta
- Broccoli florets
- Lemon
- Garlic
- Heavy cream
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Red pepper flakes
- Parmesan cheese
- Optional: Fresh basil
- Optional: Toasted pine nuts
đź“ť Ingredient Notes
- Mafaldine pasta: Can substitute with fettuccine or linguine
đź›’ Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Heavy-duty pasta pot — Ensures even cooking and prevents sticking → See on Amazon
- Microplane zester — Makes quick work of zesting lemons → See on Amazon
How to Make Creamy Lemon Broccoli Mafaldine Pasta
- Cook pasta: Boil salted water, add pasta, cook until al dente
- Blanch broccoli: Add florets to pasta pot for 1 minute, drain
- Make sauce: Sauté garlic, add cream, lemon juice, zest, simmer
- Combine: Toss pasta, broccoli, sauce, season, serve
Cook's Tips for Perfect Creamy Lemon Broccoli Mafaldine Pasta
- Common mistake and fix: Don't overcook broccoli. It turns mushy and loses flavor. Blanch for just 1 minute.
- Pro tip: Use a microplane to zest the lemon. It's easier and gives you more zest.
- Pro tip: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes for a subtle kick.
Storing & Reheating Creamy Lemon Broccoli Mafaldine Pasta
Short-Term Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days Make-ahead tip: Can be made ahead and reheated
Freezing Creamy Lemon Broccoli Mafaldine Pasta
Not recommended
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Warm in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for 10 minutes Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: Use high-quality Parmesan cheese for the best flavor.
- Best substitution: Substitute broccoli with asparagus or green beans.
- Make-ahead: Cook pasta and broccoli separately, store in fridge, reheat and combine with sauce.
- Scaling: This recipe is easy to double or triple for a larger crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If sauce is too thick, thin it out with a little pasta water.
Want to level up this recipe?
Lemon zester — Makes zesting lemons quick and easy → Check price on Amazon
Creamy Lemon Broccoli Mafaldine Pasta
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- Mafaldine pasta
- Broccoli florets
- Lemon
- Garlic
- Heavy cream
Seasonings
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Red pepper flakes
- Parmesan cheese
Optional Toppings
- Fresh basil
- Toasted pine nuts
Instructions
- Cook pasta: Boil salted water, add pasta, cook until al dente
- Blanch broccoli: Add florets to pasta pot for 1 minute, drain
- Make sauce: Sauté garlic, add cream, lemon juice, zest, simmer
- Combine: Toss pasta, broccoli, sauce, season, serve
Notes
- Chef tip: Use high-quality Parmesan cheese for the best flavor.
- Best substitution: Substitute broccoli with asparagus or green beans.
- Make-ahead: Cook pasta and broccoli separately, store in fridge, reheat and combine with sauce.
- Scaling: This recipe is easy to double or triple for a larger crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If sauce is too thick, thin it out with a little pasta water.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days
- Freezer: Not recommended
- Oven reheat: Warm in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for 10 minutes
- Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes
- Make ahead: Can be made ahead and reheated
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 450
- Protein: 15g
- Fat: 25g
- Carbs: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Cholesterol: 70mg
- Sat. Fat: 15g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Creamy Lemon Broccoli Mafaldine Pasta FAQs
Yes, cook pasta and broccoli separately, store in fridge, reheat and combine with sauce.
Overcooking is the most common reason. Blanch broccoli for just 1 minute.
Yes, but it may take longer to cook and may not be as tender.
Yes, if you use gluten-free pasta.
Sauté some diced chicken or shrimp with the garlic for added protein.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Creamy Lemon Broccoli Mafaldine Pasta and see how effortlessly it comes together. When you make it, pop back here and leave a rating or share how it turned out — I love hearing from you!
