Creamy Lemon Mafaldine Pasta with Broccoli
Creamy Lemon Mafaldine Pasta with Broccoli — After making this many times, I’ve discovered the trick to the perfect balance of creamy and tangy. This cozy dish is better than takeout and ready in just 20 minutes. Keep reading for my best tips, or jump to the recipe card. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Honey BBQ Chicken with Creamy Garlic Parmesan Potatoes and Baked Ham and Cheese Croissants Recipe, Easy Savory Breakfast Brunch.
Why This Creamy Lemon Mafaldine Pasta with Broccoli Is Pure Comfort
- Easy and ready in 20 minutes
- Creamy and tangy lemon sauce
- Tender broccoli florets in every bite
- Better than takeout and freezer-friendly
What You'll Need for Creamy Lemon Mafaldine Pasta 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
- Heavy cream
- Lemon
- Garlic
- Parmesan cheese
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Red pepper flakes (optional)
- Olive oil
- Optional: Fresh parsley
- Optional: Crushed red pepper flakes
- Optional: Parmesan cheese
📝 Ingredient Notes
- Mafaldine pasta: Can be substituted with fettuccine or linguine.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- High-quality pasta pot — Ensures even cooking and prevents sticking. → See on Amazon
- Microplane zester — Captures every bit of lemon zest for maximum flavor. → See on Amazon
How to Make Creamy Lemon Mafaldine Pasta with Broccoli
- Step 1: Cook pasta according to package instructions. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
- Step 2: In a large skillet, sauté garlic and broccoli until tender. Add heavy cream, lemon juice, zest, salt, and pepper. Simmer until slightly thickened.
- Step 3: Toss cooked pasta in the skillet with the sauce. Add reserved pasta water if needed to achieve desired consistency. Stir in Parmesan cheese.
- Step 4: Serve immediately, garnished with fresh parsley and additional Parmesan cheese if desired.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Creamy Lemon Mafaldine Pasta with Broccoli
- : Use high heat to cook the broccoli quickly and preserve its vibrant color.
- Common mistake and fix: Don't overcook the pasta. It should be al dente. If it's too firm, cook it for another minute or two.
- : For a spicy kick, add red pepper flakes to the sauce.
- : Make it vegetarian by omitting the Parmesan cheese or using a vegan alternative.
Storing & Reheating Creamy Lemon Mafaldine Pasta with Broccoli
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: Prepare the sauce up to 1 day ahead. Store separately from the pasta.
Freezing Creamy Lemon Mafaldine Pasta with Broccoli
Freeze individual portions for up to 2 months.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for 10-15 minutes. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a lighter version, substitute half-and-half for the heavy cream.
- Best substitution: Substitute asparagus or green beans for the broccoli.
- Make-ahead: Cook the pasta and prepare the sauce separately. Combine and reheat when ready to serve.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled to serve a larger crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If the sauce is too thick, thin it out with a little more pasta water or milk.
Want to level up this recipe?
High-quality chef's knife — Makes quick work of chopping broccoli and garlic for even cooking. → Check price on Amazon
Creamy Lemon Mafaldine Pasta with Broccoli
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- Mafaldine pasta
- Broccoli florets
- Heavy cream
- Lemon
- Garlic
- Parmesan cheese
Seasonings
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Red pepper flakes (optional)
- Olive oil
Optional Toppings
- Fresh parsley
- Crushed red pepper flakes
- Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Step 1: Cook pasta according to package instructions. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
- Step 2: In a large skillet, sauté garlic and broccoli until tender. Add heavy cream, lemon juice, zest, salt, and pepper. Simmer until slightly thickened.
- Step 3: Toss cooked pasta in the skillet with the sauce. Add reserved pasta water if needed to achieve desired consistency. Stir in Parmesan cheese.
- Step 4: Serve immediately, garnished with fresh parsley and additional Parmesan cheese if desired.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a lighter version, substitute half-and-half for the heavy cream.
- Best substitution: Substitute asparagus or green beans for the broccoli.
- Make-ahead: Cook the pasta and prepare the sauce separately. Combine and reheat when ready to serve.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled to serve a larger crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If the sauce is too thick, thin it out with a little more pasta water or milk.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Freeze individual portions for up to 2 months.
- Oven reheat: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for 10-15 minutes.
- Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through.
- Make ahead: Prepare the sauce up to 1 day ahead. Store separately from the pasta.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 650
- Protein: 22g
- Fat: 35g
- Carbs: 65g
- Fiber: 4g
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Cholesterol: 90mg
- Sat. Fat: 21g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Creamy Lemon Mafaldine Pasta with Broccoli FAQs
Yes, prepare the sauce up to 1 day ahead and store separately from the pasta. Combine and reheat when ready to serve.
Overcooking the pasta or not adding enough liquid can cause the dish to dry out. Adjust cooking time and add more pasta water or milk if needed.
No, this recipe is best made on the stovetop. The air fryer is not suitable for cooking pasta.
Half-and-half or a mixture of milk and cornstarch can be used as a substitute for heavy cream.
Yes, freeze individual portions for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Creamy Lemon Mafaldine Pasta 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!
