Cozy Mafaldine Pasta Limone with Broccoli
Mafaldine Pasta Limone with Broccoli is a cozy, comforting dinner that’s ready in just 20 minutes. After making this many times, I’ve discovered the trick to the perfect creamy sauce is to toss the pasta and broccoli together right in the pan. This creates a delicious, melty, garlicky sauce that coats every strand of pasta. Keep reading for my best tips, or jump to the recipe card. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Crispy Jalapeño Popper Egg Rolls and Easy Blueberry Butter Recipe.
Why This Cozy Mafaldine Pasta Limone with Broccoli Is Pure Comfort
- It's creamy and comforting, yet light and fresh.
- Packed with broccoli, it's a healthy and satisfying meal.
- Better than takeout, it's ready in just 20 minutes.
- The perfect balance of garlic, lemon, and cheese.
What You'll Need for Cozy Mafaldine Pasta Limone with Broccoli
Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.
- Mafaldine pasta
- Broccoli florets
- Garlic cloves
- Lemon
- Parmesan cheese
- Heavy cream
- Olive oil
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Red pepper flakes (optional)
- Garlic powder (optional)
- Optional: Fresh parsley
- Optional: Red pepper flakes
- Optional: Extra Parmesan cheese
📝 Ingredient Notes
- Mafaldine pasta: You can substitute any long, thin pasta like spaghetti or linguine.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- High-quality pasta pot — Ensures even cooking and prevents sticking. → See on Amazon
- Microplane zester — Makes it easy to zest lemons for a fresh, bright flavor. → See on Amazon
How to Make Cozy Mafaldine Pasta Limone with Broccoli
- Cook pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook mafaldine pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
- Sauté garlic: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
- Add broccoli: Add broccoli florets to the skillet. Cook, stirring occasionally, until tender and bright green, about 5 minutes.
- Toss with pasta: Add cooked mafaldine pasta to the skillet. Toss to combine, adding reserved pasta water as needed to create a creamy sauce.
- Add seasonings: Stir in lemon zest, lemon juice, heavy cream, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using). Cook for an additional 2 minutes, until the sauce has thickened.
- Finish and serve: Remove from heat and stir in grated Parmesan cheese. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley and additional Parmesan cheese if desired.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Cozy Mafaldine Pasta Limone with Broccoli
- Common mistake and fix: Don't overcook the pasta. It will continue to cook in the skillet and can become mushy.
- Pro tip: For a spicier version, add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a drizzle of Sriracha sauce.
- Pro tip: To make this dish vegetarian, simply omit the Parmesan cheese or use a vegan alternative.
- Pro tip: For a lighter version, substitute half-and-half or milk for the heavy cream.
Storing & Reheating Cozy Mafaldine Pasta Limone with Broccoli
Short-Term Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Make-ahead tip: The broccoli and garlic can be cooked ahead of time and reheated when ready to serve.
Freezing Cozy Mafaldine Pasta Limone with Broccoli
This dish does not freeze well due to the creamy sauce.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes, or until heated through. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, or until heated through. Stir occasionally.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a quicker version, use store-bought garlic butter or lemon butter.
- Best substitution: Substitute the broccoli with asparagus or spinach for a different flavor profile.
- Make-ahead: The pasta can be cooked ahead of time and reheated when ready to serve.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled to serve a larger crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If the sauce is too thick, add more pasta water to reach your desired consistency.
Want to level up this recipe?
High-quality skillet — Ensures even cooking and prevents hot spots. → Check price on Amazon
Cozy Mafaldine Pasta Limone with Broccoli
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- Mafaldine pasta
- Broccoli florets
- Garlic cloves
- Lemon
- Parmesan cheese
- Heavy cream
- Olive oil
Seasonings
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Red pepper flakes (optional)
- Garlic powder (optional)
Optional Toppings
- Fresh parsley
- Red pepper flakes
- Extra Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Cook pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook mafaldine pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
- Sauté garlic: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
- Add broccoli: Add broccoli florets to the skillet. Cook, stirring occasionally, until tender and bright green, about 5 minutes.
- Toss with pasta: Add cooked mafaldine pasta to the skillet. Toss to combine, adding reserved pasta water as needed to create a creamy sauce.
- Add seasonings: Stir in lemon zest, lemon juice, heavy cream, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using). Cook for an additional 2 minutes, until the sauce has thickened.
- Finish and serve: Remove from heat and stir in grated Parmesan cheese. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley and additional Parmesan cheese if desired.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a quicker version, use store-bought garlic butter or lemon butter.
- Best substitution: Substitute the broccoli with asparagus or spinach for a different flavor profile.
- Make-ahead: The pasta can be cooked ahead of time and reheated when ready to serve.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled to serve a larger crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If the sauce is too thick, add more pasta water to reach your desired consistency.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: This dish does not freeze well due to the creamy sauce.
- Oven reheat: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes, or until heated through.
- Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, or until heated through. Stir occasionally.
- Make ahead: The broccoli and garlic can be cooked ahead of time and reheated when ready to serve.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 620
- Protein: 20g
- Fat: 32g
- Carbs: 65g
- Fiber: 5g
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 850mg
- Cholesterol: 70mg
- Sat. Fat: 18g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Cozy Mafaldine Pasta Limone with Broccoli FAQs
Yes, you can cook the pasta and broccoli ahead of time and reheat when ready to serve. However, the sauce is best made fresh.
If you added too much cheese or didn't reserve enough pasta water, your sauce may have thickened too much. Add more pasta water to reach your desired consistency.
No, this dish is best made on the stovetop. The air fryer is not suitable for cooking pasta or creating a creamy sauce.
You can substitute half-and-half or milk for the heavy cream for a lighter version. For a non-dairy version, use coconut milk or a plant-based cream alternative.
Yes, this dish is packed with fresh broccoli and is a good source of protein and fiber. However, it is also high in calories and fat due to the heavy cream and cheese.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Cozy Mafaldine Pasta Limone with Broccoli 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!
