This pasta con broccoli recipe is an easy to make and tasty broccoli pasta dish you will make over and over again.

A great broccoli and garlic recipe too.

What a delicious - and healthy - combination!

Prep time: 10 minutes Cook time: 20 minutes

Ingredients:12 ounces pasta (penne, fusilli and rigatoni work well)
3 cups broccoli pieces (1 bunch) or equivalent amount of frozen broccoli spears
1 tablespoon butter
4 cloves garlic, chopped
1 onion, finely chopped
1 teaspoon grated lemon rind
1/4 cup lemon juice (usually about the juice of 1 lemon)
3 tablespoons flour
1/2 cup chicken stock or vegetable stock
2 1/2 cups milk
1 sweet red pepper, diced
grated Parmesan cheese
salt and pepper to taste

Directions:
Cook pasta according to directions in large pot of salted water. Cook until just under done, or al dente (about 10 minutes). Stir in broccoli. Let stand for under a minute and drain. Empty into a bowl and set aside.

Melt the butter in the same pot. Add the garlic and onion, and cook over medium heat, for about 3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until onions are golden. Add lemon juice and cook, stirring, until lemon juice is almost evaporated.

Sprinkle flour over the onion mixture and cook for 1/2 minute. Gradually add stock, stirring, then milk and lemon rind. Add salt and pepper and red pepper. Cook for about 3 minutes, until sauce begins to thicken.

Add drained pasta and broccoli. Continue to cook until pasta is hot and the sauce has thickened. Sprinkle with parmesan cheese to serve.

Serves 3 to 4.

• Turn this pasta con broccoli recipe into a completely vegetarian pasta recipe by substituting vegetable stock for the chicken stock.

• Cut up a boneless chicken breast and sauté until not quite done. Add to the recipe before you add the lemon juice.

• Use low fat milk to reduce the fat content. This isn't a high fat dish but if you are really concerned, use low fat milk. Keep in mind that it will not thicken quite as easily.

• Turn this into a shrimp pasta recipe by simply replacing the chicken with shrimp. If you are using cooked shrimp, add them near the end and just cook for a couple of minutes to heat them through.