Cozy Mafaldine Pasta Limone with Broccoli
Cozy up with this **Mafaldine Pasta Limone with Broccoli**, a better-than-takeout dinner that’s ready in just 20 minutes. After making this countless times, I’ve discovered the trick to the perfect creamy lemon sauce that coats every strand of pasta and tender broccoli floret. Jump to the recipe card or keep reading for my best tips. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Easy Pecan Crunch Glazed Bites and Crispy Smothered Chicken.
Why This Cozy Mafaldine Pasta Limone with Broccoli Is Pure Comfort
- Creamy lemon sauce coats every strand of pasta
- Tender broccoli florets add a pop of color and crunch
- Better than takeout and ready in just 20 minutes
- Perfect for busy weeknights and family dinners
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
- Lemon
- Garlic
- Heavy cream
- Parmesan cheese
- Salt
- Pepper
- Lemon zest
- Garlic powder
- Red pepper flakes
- Salt
- Pepper
- Optional: Fresh parsley
- Optional: Red pepper flakes
- Optional: Lemon wedges
đź“ť Ingredient Notes
- Mafaldine pasta: Can be substituted with linguine or spaghetti
đź›’ Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- High-quality non-stick skillet — Prevents pasta from sticking and ensures even cooking → See on Amazon
- Microplane zester — Effortlessly grates lemon zest for maximum flavor → See on Amazon
How to Make Cozy Mafaldine Pasta Limone with Broccoli
- Cook pasta: Boil salted water and cook mafaldine pasta according to package instructions. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
- Sauté garlic: In a large skillet, sauté minced garlic in olive oil over medium heat until fragrant.
- Add broccoli: Add broccoli florets to the skillet, cover, and cook until tender, about 5 minutes.
- Create sauce: Stir in heavy cream, lemon juice, lemon zest, garlic powder, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 2 minutes.
- Toss pasta: Add drained pasta to the skillet, tossing to coat in the sauce. Add reserved pasta water as needed to achieve desired consistency.
- Finish and serve: Stir in grated Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley. Serve immediately with additional toppings as desired.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Cozy Mafaldine Pasta Limone with Broccoli
- : Undercook the pasta by 1 minute to ensure it finishes cooking in the sauce.
- Common mistake and fix: If the sauce becomes too thick, thin it out with reserved pasta water. If it's too thin, let it simmer for a few more minutes to reduce.
- : For a spicier kick, add more red pepper flakes or a pinch of cayenne pepper.
- : Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
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 refrigerator for up to 3 days. Make-ahead tip: The sauce can be made up to 1 day in advance. Store in the refrigerator and reheat before tossing with pasta.
Freezing Cozy Mafaldine Pasta Limone with Broccoli
Not recommended for freezing.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for 10-15 minutes or until warmed through. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes or until warmed through. Stir occasionally.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a vegetarian version, omit the Parmesan cheese or substitute with nutritional yeast.
- Best substitution: Substitute heavy cream with full-fat canned coconut milk for a dairy-free version.
- Make-ahead: The sauce can be made up to 1 day in advance. Store in the refrigerator and reheat before tossing with pasta.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or halved to serve more or fewer people.
- Troubleshooting: If the sauce becomes too thick, thin it out with reserved pasta water. If it's too thin, let it simmer for a few more minutes to reduce.
Want to level up this recipe?
High-quality non-stick skillet — Prevents pasta from sticking and ensures even cooking → Check price on Amazon
Cozy Mafaldine Pasta Limone with Broccoli
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- Mafaldine pasta
- Broccoli florets
- Lemon
- Garlic
- Heavy cream
- Parmesan cheese
- Salt
- Pepper
Seasonings
- Lemon zest
- Garlic powder
- Red pepper flakes
- Salt
- Pepper
Optional Toppings
- Fresh parsley
- Red pepper flakes
- Lemon wedges
Instructions
- Cook pasta: Boil salted water and cook mafaldine pasta according to package instructions. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
- Sauté garlic: In a large skillet, sauté minced garlic in olive oil over medium heat until fragrant.
- Add broccoli: Add broccoli florets to the skillet, cover, and cook until tender, about 5 minutes.
- Create sauce: Stir in heavy cream, lemon juice, lemon zest, garlic powder, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 2 minutes.
- Toss pasta: Add drained pasta to the skillet, tossing to coat in the sauce. Add reserved pasta water as needed to achieve desired consistency.
- Finish and serve: Stir in grated Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley. Serve immediately with additional toppings as desired.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a vegetarian version, omit the Parmesan cheese or substitute with nutritional yeast.
- Best substitution: Substitute heavy cream with full-fat canned coconut milk for a dairy-free version.
- Make-ahead: The sauce can be made up to 1 day in advance. Store in the refrigerator and reheat before tossing with pasta.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or halved to serve more or fewer people.
- Troubleshooting: If the sauce becomes too thick, thin it out with reserved pasta water. If it's too thin, let it simmer for a few more minutes to reduce.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Not recommended for freezing.
- Oven reheat: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for 10-15 minutes or until warmed through.
- Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes or until warmed through. Stir occasionally.
- Make ahead: The sauce can be made up to 1 day in advance. Store in the refrigerator and reheat before tossing with pasta.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 450
- Protein: 18g
- Fat: 20g
- Carbs: 55g
- Fiber: 4g
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Cholesterol: 60mg
- Sat. Fat: 12g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Cozy Mafaldine Pasta Limone with Broccoli FAQs
Yes, the sauce can be made up to 1 day in advance. Store in the refrigerator and reheat before tossing with pasta.
If the sauce becomes too thick, thin it out with reserved pasta water. If it's too thin, let it simmer for a few more minutes to reduce.
Yes, you can use frozen broccoli in this recipe. Thaw and drain before using.
Mafaldine pasta is similar to linguine but has a flatter, wider shape with more surface area for sauce.
This recipe is not suitable for the air fryer. It's best cooked on the stovetop.
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!
