Broccoli pasta shells

Kids will love this healthier take on pesto and pasta, with broccoli upping their veg intake. It takes just 20 minutes to make and is low in calories

  • Prep:5 mins
    Cook:15 mins
  • Serves 4
  • Easy

Nutrition per serving

  • kcal 372
  • fat 14g
  • saturates 3g
  • carbs 43g
  • sugars 3g
  • fibre 7g
  • protein 15g
  • salt 0.2g

Ingredients

  • 1 head of broccoli, chopped into florets
  • 1 garlic clove, unpeeled
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 250g pasta shells
  • ½ small pack parsley
  • ½ small pack basil
  • 30g toasted pine nuts
  • ½ lemon, zested and juiced
  • 30g parmesan(or vegetarian alternative), plus extra to serve

Method

  1. Heat the oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Toss the broccoli and garlic in 1 tbsp of the olive oil on a roasting tray and roast in the oven for 10-12 mins, until softened.

  2. Tip the pasta shells into a pan of boiling, salted water. Cook according to packet instructions and drain. Tip the parsley, basil, pine nuts, lemon juice and parmesan into a blender. Once the broccoli is done, set aside a few of the smaller pieces. Squeeze the garlic from its skin, add to the blender along with the rest of the broccoli, pulse to a pesto and season well.

  3. Toss the pasta with the pesto. Add the reserved broccoli florets, split between two bowls and top with a little extra parmesan, the lemon zest and a good grinding of black pepper, if you like.

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