Go Back
A bowl of broccoli chickpea pasta served with fresh parsley on a wooden table.

Broccoli Chickpea Pasta: Easy Healthy Vegetarian Entree Recipe

A quick and healthy vegetarian pasta dish featuring broccoli, chickpeas, and a zesty lemon-Parmesan sauce.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Vegetarian
Servings 4 servings
Calories 450 kcal

Ingredients
  

Instructions
 

  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water before draining.
  • While the pasta is cooking, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
  • Add the chopped broccoli florets to the skillet and cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they are tender and slightly crisp. If needed, add a splash of water to help steam the broccoli.
  • Add the drained chickpeas to the skillet and cook for another 2-3 minutes, stirring to combine.
  • Season the mixture with salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using). Stir well to coat everything evenly.
  • Add the cooked pasta to the skillet along with the reserved pasta water. Toss everything together to combine and allow the sauce to cling to the pasta.
  • Squeeze fresh lemon juice over the pasta and sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese (or halal vegetarian cheese). Toss again to distribute the flavors evenly.
  • Serve warm, garnished with fresh chopped parsley if desired.

Notes

You can substitute broccoli with other vegetables like zucchini or spinach. For a vegan option, use nutritional yeast instead of Parmesan cheese.
Keyword Broccoli Chickpea Pasta, Healthy Vegetarian Entree