This recipe is inspired by the fresh taste of lemony broccoli, but can serve as a baseline recipe for whatever produce you have on hand. In general, pasta dishes are quick, easy to make, and are a favorite go-to option for busy people. It's also a totally versatile food that you can use in both hot dishes and cold salads. 

With this recipe, which includes nutrient-dense broccoli along with delicious mushrooms, you will get a great combination of nutrients and a taste way better than using ready-made sauce from the supermarket. We highly recommend trying this recipe at home; your tastebuds will be delighted!

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The secret ingredient here is lemon, which brings everything in the dish to life. We use both the zest and juice of the lemon — and it literally changes everything! The zest is so fresh and energizing and the juice adds a pleasant kick to an otherwise simple dish.

The only addition we use to spice things up a bit is garlic, but feel free to add onions, leeks, or other ingredients to your taste. We like this simple and easy recipe with no fuss in the kitchen. Literally in 20 minutes, you're eating!

You can also choose whatever kind of pasta you like and actually use a different one whenever you need a change. If you are trying to avoid gluten or are gluten-intolerant, you could opt for quinoa, brown rice, or chickpea pasta. They are great and healthy options and taste amazing, too!

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This dish is also convenient to make as a work lunch or travel food. Just put it in a container, store it in the fridge, and add some lemon juice just before serving. It also tastes great cold and can be served as a side dish. 

The best thing about pasta dishes is that they are so fast and easy that you have no excuse not to cook your own food! They require no special equipment or skill and can be made into endless varieties of tastes and combinations. Just follow the basic instructions below and start cooking! Let us know what you think — and share any particularly great additions you think of when making this dish.

Type: Vegetarian or Vegan, Lunch, Dinner
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Serves: 2 portions

Ingredients:

2 cups pasta
2 cups broccoli
2 cups mushrooms
3 cloves garlic
zest and juice of ½ lemon
parmesan cheese or cheese substitute
salt, pepper, olive oil

Recipe:

1. Bring water to a boil and add the pasta.
2. Cook for 8 minutes and rinse.
3. Slice the garlic finely. Chop the broccoli and mushrooms into chunks.
4. In a cooking pan heat the olive oil and sauté the garlic.
5. Add the vegetables and cook for 2-3 minutes stirring occasionally.
6. Add the pasta, lemon zest and juice and stir everything together.
7. Slice parmesan on top until it melts.
8. Serve with some fresh herbs.

Notes: Different kinds of pasta vary in their cooking time. Follow package instructions for each type.