Creamy Lemon Broccoli Pasta

Creamy Lemon Broccoli Pasta - Pasta

Cook pasta in salted water according to manufacturer's' directions and leave in the colander while you make the rest of the meal.

Creamy Lemon Broccoli Pasta - Broccoli

Heat a 10 or 12 inch non-stick skillet over medium high heat, add the oil, and then add the chopped broccoli (you want the broccoli chopped pretty small in order to let it cook through quickly).

Sautee the broccoli for about 3 minutes, then place a grill press (or another, heavy pan) over the broccoli and let it sit for 3 minutes. Remove the press or pan, stir the broccoli and repeat 2-3 more times until broccoli is browned, caramelized, and cooked through.  

If the broccoli starts burning before it browns and cooks, lower the heat. 

Creamy Lemon Broccoli Pasta - Sauce

In a medium skillet, melt the butter over medium heat and add the garlic.

Once the butter melts fully, add the flour and stir it together to form a paste. Let this cook for full minute to get rid of any raw flour flavor.

Add the milk or half and half slowly, whisking constantly as you add it.

Once all the milk has been added, reduce the heat to medium low and let the sauce cook and begin to thicken, about 2 minutes.

Once the sauce starts to thicken, add the lemon juice and zest, salt and pepper and crushed red pepper.

Stir in the parmesan cheese and stir until the sauce is smooth.

Add the cooked broccoli and pasta to the sauce, and stir to combine everything together and to warm the pasta through.

Serve with more parmesan cheese, and slices of lemon.