20 Min Pasta with Broccoli & Nuts

~The 20-Minute Dinner~

This is my go-to 20-minute dinner for busy weeknights, and even picky eaters – yes, kids included – tend to love it. Whole-grain pasta, tender broccoli, and crunchy walnuts come together with garlic, lemon, and a hint of chili for a simple, flavorful meal. It’s an easy way to sneak more broccoli and veggies into dinner without any extra hassle, and it’s on the table in less than half an hour, hehe.

Oh, and again – meal prep friendly dish. I like giving recipes that help you save on some moneyyyy.

Why this dish works

• Whole-grain or lentil pasta: Provides slow-digesting carbs for energy and extra protein if using lentil pasta.
• Broccoli: Rich in vitamin C, K, fiber, and antioxidants. Adds volume and nutrients without extra calories.
• Walnuts (or almonds): Excellent source of healthy fats, protein, and omega-3s.
• Garlic & chili: Add flavor and support immune function.
• Lemon: Freshens the dish and enhances absorption of nutrients.

The Recipe

Total time: 25 minutes | Difficulty: Easy | Servings: 2–3

Ingredients:

• 250 g whole-grain pasta (or lentil pasta, which is high in prtotein)
• 80 g walnuts (or almonds)
• 70 g Parmesan cheese (vegan cheese)
• 2 garlic cloves
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 head of broccoli
• Juice of 1 lemon
• Zest of ½ lemon 
• Crushed chili flakes, to taste
• Ground black pepper, to taste
• Salt, to taste

Instructions:

1. Cook the pasta in salted water until it’s just under al dente.
2. Then, add the cleaned and chopped broccoli to the pot and cook together for another 4 minutes.
3. Meanwhile, in a pan, sauté the sliced garlic, chopped walnuts, and chili flakes in olive oil.
4. Add the lemon juice, finely grated lemon zest, and the drained pasta and broccoli to the pan (reserve a bit of pasta water and add it to the pan as needed)
5. Mix everything together, add 50 g of Parmesan, and stir again
6. Season with black pepper and salt. If needed, add a bit more pasta water to loosen the sauce
7. When serving, sprinkle with the remaining Parmesan and enjoy!

Swap & Variation Ideas

• Nuts: Use pecans, cashews, or pistachios.
• Cheese: Vegan Parmesan or Pecorino works well.
• Greens: Add spinach, kale, or peas for extra nutrients.
• Protein boost: Top with grilled chicken, shrimp, or tofu.
• Spice level: Adjust chili flakes to taste.

Nutrition

Approximate Nutrition Per 100 g

• Calories: ~215–220 kcal | Protein: ~7–8 g | Fat: ~10–11 g | Carbs: ~21–22 g | Fiber: ~2.5–3 g

Notes:

• Using lentil pasta increases protein significantly (approx. 10–12 g per 100 g) while lowering carbs.
• Fiber mostly comes from whole-grain pasta, broccoli, and walnuts.

Dietary Info

Contains Nuts | Vegetarian | Vegan: ⚠ Only if using vegan cheese and plant-based pasta | Gluten-free: ⚠ Only if using lentil or other gluten-free pasta