Broccoli lemon pasta casserole is my go-to for spring. I’m a big fan of sun and warm weather and finally the time has come. It’s spring and the trees are starting to bloom, a real feast for the eyes. In addition, the first flowers and shrubs awaken from hibernation. I enjoy the first rays of sunshine and especially use the breaks for a good dose of vitamin D. In the winter I supplement with vitamin D & K drops, but in the summer I use the power of nature. In terms of dishes, I’m now more in the mood for light fare again, and this combination with a fine, lemony sauce fit the bill perfectly. Paired with a springtime salad, this recipe makes a delicious meal for lunch or dinner. I’d say we’ll get started together.
Broccoli lemon pasta casserole
The preparation takes a little bit, but with good music in your ear, even that flies by without any problems. Cook the pasta, but not all the way through, strain 2 minutes earlier. This is important because our pasta cooks again in the oven. After all, we want pasta that is firm to the bite at the end and not soft, cooked-through pasta. The broccoli is also cooked briefly in salted water beforehand, but only briefly and crisp. Again, cooked once more in the oven and we do not want to overdo it. Both pasta and broccoli should still be al dente in the finished dish.
While the two ingredients are simmering, we prepare the sauce. Cashews, vegetable milk, nutritional yeast flakes, garlic granules, salt, pepper, Italian herbs, chili, lemon juice, garlic and miso. This all goes together in a high-powered blender and is blended into a fine sauce. Then it’s time to start mixing. The pasta and broccoli go into an ovenproof casserole dish, along with the sauce. Mix vigorously once until everything is well combined and place in the oven. Now we have to wait a little longer and set the table.
TIP: If you want extra cheese, you can top the casserole with vegan cheese. I super like the one from SOYATOO, also for pizzas (unpaid brand name) https://kokku-online.de/soyatoo-pizzapasta-herr-berta-streuschmelz/. (also seen at REWE)
How healthy is broccoli actually?
There are many stories about broccoli and I wanted to show you why broccoli is so healthy:
- Rich in vitamins C, E, K and B vitamins
- Rich in calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc and potassium
- Only 43 calories per 100g
- Very high nutrient density (= few calories and many vitamins and minerals).
- Has antioxidant effect (can act oxidative stress and prevent diseases)
- Bioactive compounds can act against inflammatory processes in the organism
- According to studies, the secondary plant compounds contained can prevent against various types of cancer and osteoarthritis
- Extremely interesting is the substance sulforaphane, which in studies has been able to protect the intestine from diseases and show a positive effect in osteoarthritis.
TIP: Always cut broccoli into florets and leave them for some time before processing, this way the sulforaphane content is highest. If you don’t have time, add some mustard or mustard seeds (ground) and increase the content of the valuable plant substance. It is best not to boil broccoli in water for very long, but to blanch or steam it briefly. In this way, valuable vital substances are preserved.
If you’d rather try a different casserole today, I recommend the vegan cannelloni, vegan lasagna or vegan Shepherds Pie.
The vegan broccoli lemon pasta casserole is:
- aromatic
- creamy
- Lemony
- filling
- Easy to manufacture
Let’s get started with this delicious vegan casserole. I wish you a lot of fun in the recooking and look forward to a review at the bottom of this page. If you post a picture, use the hashtag #veganevibes
Broccoli lemon pasta casserole
FOR THE BROCCOLI:
- 350 g Broccoli Stalk removed, cut into florets. Tip: If the stalk is still fresh, then like to peel and process the inside with #nowaste
- 1 Liter Water
- A pinch of salt
FOR PASTA:
- 350 g Pasta I use torchiette, alternatively spirelli, penne, or rigatoni
- 2 Liter Water
- A pinch of salt
FOR THE CASHEW-LEMON SAUCE:
- 30 g Cashews soak if necessary, the blender should not be very powerful
- 250 ml Plant milk alternatively water
- 2 tbspn Nutritional yeast flakes
- 2 tbspn Italian herbs
- 1 tbspn Garlic granules for a more intense flavor, if not at hand just leave out
- 1 Bird Eye Chili
- ½ tbspn Salt
- Pepper to taste
- 45 ml Lemon juice
- 2 Garlic cloves Peeled and pressed or finely chopped
- 1 tbspn white miso or another miso of your choice, omit if not at hand, but gives a very good aroma
TO SERVE:
- Vegan parmesan
- Basil or other fresh herbs to taste
Anleitung
- FOR THE BROKKOLI Put water, salt and broccoli florets in a pot and heat until the water boils. Simmer for 5 minutes. Strain the water and set aside.350 g Broccoli, 1 Liter Water, A pinch of salt
- FOR THE PASTA Bring water to a boil, add salt and pasta. Stir and cook according to package directions. IMPORTANT: Reduce cooking time by 2 minutes so that the pasta is still nice and firm to the bite. Strain and set aside.350 g Pasta, 2 Liter Water, A pinch of salt
- NOW preheat oven to 190 degrees (convection) or 210 degrees (top-bottom heat) and provide a medium casserole dish.
- FOR THE CASHEW-LEMON SAUCE, provide a high-powered blender, add in cashews, plant milk, nutritional yeast flakes, Italian herbs, garlic granules, Bird Eye Chili, salt, lemon juice and miso and blend on high speed for 60 seconds until fine.30 g Cashews, 250 ml Plant milk, 2 tbspn Nutritional yeast flakes, 2 tbspn Italian herbs, 1 tbspn Garlic granules, 1 Bird Eye Chili, ½ tbspn Salt, Pepper to taste, 45 ml Lemon juice, 2 Garlic cloves, 1 tbspn white miso
- Place the broccoli and pasta in a baking dish and pour the cashew-lemon sauce over them. Mix well with a spoon and smooth. Optionally sprinkle 1-2 hands of vegan cheese. Place in preheated oven and bake for 20 minutes.
- Remove from oven, let set for 5 minutes and position on plates.
- Garnish with fresh herbs and vegan parmesan of choice. enjoy!Vegan parmesan, Basil or other fresh herbs to taste
- Keep leftovers covered in the fridge for 2-3 days.
Video
You are currently viewing a placeholder content from Youtube. To access the actual content, click the button below. Please note that doing so will share data with third-party providers.
More Information
