Description
Looking for a quick yet delicious weeknight meal? Look no further than Broccoli Halloumi Pasta! This delightful dish is a perfect blend of creamy, zesty flavors that are sure to please even the pickiest eaters.
Ingredients
Scale
- 250g broccoli florets
- 350g pasta (penne or fusilli)
- 200g halloumi, cubed
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 40g parmesan, finely grated
- Zest of ½ lemon
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Begin by bringing a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Once boiling, add the pasta of your choice (either penne or fusilli works well here). Cook the pasta according to package instructions until it reaches the al dente stage. This typically takes around 8-10 minutes, but be sure to check your pasta. Meanwhile, when there’s only about 3 minutes left on the timer, gently add the broccoli florets to the pot.
- In a large frying pan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Once hot, carefully add the cubed halloumi to the pan. Fry it for about 2-3 minutes on each side or until the halloumi turns golden brown and crispy. You’ll want to keep a close watch, as halloumi can brown quickly! Once cooked, remove it from the pan and set aside on a plate while you prepare the rest of the dish.
- In the same frying pan used for the halloumi, add the minced garlic. Let it sauté for about a minute, stirring occasionally to prevent it from burning.
- Now it’s time to combine everything! Once the pasta and broccoli are drained, return them to the pot. Add in the sautéed garlic, along with the finely grated parmesan and lemon zest. Toss everything together, gently mixing until the ingredients are well coated.
- Finally, stir in the crispy halloumi that you’ve set aside. Gently fold it into the pasta mixture, taking care not to break the halloumi up too much. Season to taste with salt and pepper, adding extra zest if desired. Serve the dish warm and enjoy the comforting harmony of these simple ingredients!
Notes
Be mindful of cooking time for both the pasta and broccoli to ensure everything is perfectly cooked. Do not skip the step of reserving pasta water; it’s an excellent tool for achieving the desired creaminess in the final dish.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
Nutrition
- Calories: 420 per serving
- Sodium: 600mg
- Protein: 18g