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    Home » Recipes » Dinner

    Published: Nov 9, 2022 · Modified: Jan 3, 2023 by Melanie McDonald · This post contains affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. · 5 Comments

    Vegan Broccoli Pasta

    JUMP TO RECIPE PIN WATCH VIDEO
    5 from 13 votes
    vegan broccoli pasta

    Really quick and easy Vegan Broccoli Pasta that can be ready in less than 15 minutes. It's creamy, cheesy, tangy and loaded with broccoli!

    a skillet of vegan broccoli pasta garnished with vegan parmesan and fresh basil

    Only a very small amount of time and a few ingredients stand between you and a skillet full of this garlicky, lemony, broccoli-packed, dangerously good and creamy Vegan Broccoli Pasta!

    It's incredibly easy to make with no vegan cream or nuts required for the creamy sauce because it is made from blended broccoli florets and the broccoli stems! Genius or weird? I promise it tastes amazing though!

    In this post: Everything you need to make Vegan Broccoli Pasta

    Jump to:
    • Ingredients
    • How To Make Vegan Broccoli Pasta
    • Storing Leftovers
    • More Vegan Pasta Recipes
    • Recipe Video
    • Recipe
    • Comments & Reviews
    a light pink bowl of broccoli pasta with a for and spoon. Vegan parmesan, and a bowl of pepper next to it.

    Ingredients

    This is a really simple pasta dish that is naturally dairy-free. Here's what you need:

    ingredients needed for this recipe: pasta, broccoli, chili flakes, salt, pepper, lemon, nutritional yeast, garlic, extra virgin olive oil.

    And a few ingredient notes:

    • Broccoli - The broccoli florets and stems! You can use fresh or frozen broccoli but fresh will yield the best flavour.
    • Extra virgin olive oil - Adds delicious flavour and silky glossiness to the sauce. I recommend using it for the best results, but if you are oil-free the same amount of unsweetened unflavoured plant milk will work well.
    • Lemon - The lemon juice and the lemon zest. Feel free to reduce the zest and juice or even omit it if you're not into a really lemony flavour or if you think the kids won't like it.
    • Pasta - Any variety you like such as penne pasta or rigatoni. Even spaghetti will work. Use gluten-free pasta if necessary.
    • Nutritional yeast - Adds delicious, slightly cheesy, savoury flavour. This is such a simple recipe that it can't really be omitted without affecting the overall flavour greatly.

    You can throw in a handful of sliced vegan sausage or chicken if you want to, or sprinkle over some crispy nutritional yeast tofu, but broccoli is packed with protein anyway so it's really not necessary. I prefer to dive into this creamy vegan pasta head first, just as it is!

    How To Make Vegan Broccoli Pasta

    It's so quick and easy! Let me walk you through the process:

    how to make this recipe step by step as per the written instructions
    1. Boil the pasta in a large pot. A few minutes before it's done add the broccoli.
    2. Scoop out 2 cups of broccoli florets and stems then blend with the other ingredients.
    3. Drain the remaining broccoli and pasta, return to the pan then add the sauce.
    4. Mix and garnish with vegan parmesan cheese, red pepper flakes and some fresh basil if you have it.

    Success Tip - Pasta water! Yep, the starchy boiling water you cooked the pasta in. Before draining the pasta scoop out a mug full, then when tossing the pasta in the sauce, add a splash of the pasta cooking water. The sauce will become extra glossy and cling to your pasta better!

    a wooden spoon digging in to a skillet full of vegan broccoli pasta

    Storing Leftovers

    Store leftover Vegan Broccoli Pasta in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a pan on the stove or in a microwave. Add a little water, extra virgin olive oil, or plant milk to moisten it up as needed.

    More Vegan Pasta Recipes

    • a pan of vegan pumpkin pasta
      Vegan Pumpkin Pasta
    • a pan of vegan vodka sauce pasta
      Vegan Vodka Sauce Pasta
    • vegan hamburger helper
      Vegan Hamburger Helper
    • vegan mac and cheese in a bowl with a scattering of fresh parsley
      Vegan Mac and Cheese

    If you try this recipe, let me know how you like it by leaving a comment and rating below! And be sure to join my mailing list for more deliciousness!

    Recipe Video

    Recipe

    a pink bowl of broccoli pasta with a fork and spoon

    Vegan Broccoli Pasta

    Author: Melanie McDonald
    5 from 13 votes
    Really quick and easy Vegan Broccoli Pasta that can be ready in less than 15 minutes. It's creamy, cheesy, tangy and loaded with broccoli!
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe SaveSaved!
    PREP TIME: 5 minutes
    COOK TIME: 10 minutes
    TOTAL TIME: 21 minutes
    Servings: 5 to 5 servings

    Ingredients
      

    • 2 medium heads broccoli , the florets & the stems (about 700 grams/ 1½ lb / 24oz) Frozen broccoli can also be used.
    • 16 oz (453 grams) pasta , gluten-free if necessary
    • 1 medium lemon , zest and juice
    • ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil , (creamy plant milk for oil-free)
    • 4 tablespoons nutritional yeast
    • 3 cloves garlic
    • 1½ teaspoon fine sea salt
    • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
    • ¼ to ½ teaspoon chili flakes , OPTIONAL

    RECOMMENDED EQUIPMENT

    • Blendtec Blender
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    INSTRUCTIONS
     

    • Fill a large pan with salted water and bring to a boil.
    • While waiting for it to reach a rolling boil, break the broccoli into bite sized florets and slice the stalks into small chunky pieces.
    • Add the pasta to the boiling water and cook for 5 minutes then add the broccoli pieces and stalks. If using frozen broccoli let the pasta cook for 7 minutes before adding it. Don't stir it. We want to keep the broccoli on the top. Cook until the pasta is tender (another 3 to 5 minutes depending on the variety).
    • While waiting add the rest of the ingredients to a blender.
    • Once the pasta is pretty much ready, scoop out about 2 cups or mug fulls of broccoli pieces using a slotted spoon. Don’t worry if you get a bit of water with them. Add them to the blender with the other ingredients and blend until smooth. You will end up with a thick, green, creamy sauce.
    • Scoop out a mug full of the pasta water and reserve, then drain the pasta and remaining broccoli before returning to the pan.
    • Spoon the sauce from the blender into the pasta and broccoli, along with about half a cup (120ml) of the reserved pasta water. Toss vigorously adding more pasta water as needed to thin.
    • Taste to check seasoning, adjust as necessary, then serve immediately.

    NOTES

    Success Tip - Pasta water! Yep, the starchy boiling water you cooked the pasta in. Before draining the pasta scoop out a mug full, then when tossing the pasta in the sauce, add a splash of the pasta cooking water. The sauce will become extra glossy and cling to your pasta better!
    Storing Leftovers - Transfer to an airtight container and store in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a pan on the stove or in a microwave. Add a little water, extra virgin olive oil, or plant milk to moisten it up as needed. 

    NUTRITION

    Serving: 1servingCalories: 541kcalCarbohydrates: 87gProtein: 22gFat: 13gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 8gSodium: 786mgPotassium: 1105mgFiber: 11gSugar: 7gVitamin A: 1547IUVitamin C: 219mgCalcium: 140mgIron: 3mg

    Nutritional information is provided for convenience. The data is a computer generated estimate and should be used as a guide only.

    Tried this recipe?Rate it & leave your feedback in the comments section below, or tag @avirtualvegan on Instagram and hashtag it #avirtualvegan

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Erin Mathieu says

      February 23, 2023 at 4:01 pm

      5 stars
      My husband and I loved this recipe so much!! I added extra lemon and extra chili peppers because we love spicy. It’s going in our permanent rotation!

      Reply
    2. Carmelle says

      November 13, 2022 at 12:20 pm

      5 stars
      ABsolutely delicious. The whole family devoured it.

      Reply
    3. Whack says

      November 11, 2022 at 2:00 pm

      5 stars
      Hi Melody,

      Thanks for the yummy recipe!

      I made it according to your formula.

      While good, it needed a little help.. fresh sliced basil leaves did the trick!

      Thanks again!

      Whack!

      Reply
    4. Susan says

      November 10, 2022 at 5:38 pm

      5 stars
      Even my carnivore sister loved it. Plan to make for a vegan group lunch in a few weeks. May add more nutritional yeast.

      Reply
      • Melanie McDonald says

        November 10, 2022 at 8:03 pm

        So pleased you enjoyed it! (and you can never have too much nutritional yeast! ;O)

        Reply

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