Dish guides · Western

Is broccoli pasta healthy?

Broccoli pasta costs about $2.37 a serving to make at home at typical US grocery prices. For lower LDL cholesterol, steadier blood sugar and weight loss, go easy on parmesan and pasta.
We've cooked it 2 times in our own kitchen this year.

By health goal

Lower LDL cholesterol
In moderation
Go easy on parmesan; using less keeps the dish and helps with lower LDL cholesterol. Olive oil helps.
Steadier blood sugar
With a swap
Go easy on pasta. Broccoli and olive oil help. Swapping pasta for whole wheat pasta keeps the dish and makes it better for steadier blood sugar.
Lower blood pressure
Watch the salt
Go easy on parmesan: it's salty. Most of the salt in dishes like this comes from the sauce, so go light on soy sauce or use a low-sodium one.
Weight loss
With a swap
Go easy on pasta and parmesan. Broccoli helps. Swapping pasta for whole wheat pasta keeps the dish and makes it better for weight loss.
More protein
Neutral
It's neutral for more protein: nothing in it stands out either way. Add a side of vegetables or beans to make it work harder for you.

For LDL cholesterol, with sources

1 of 5
LDL habits in this dish
Soluble fiber (oats, barley, beans, eggplant, okra, fruit)
Fish, ideally oily (salmon, mackerel, sardines)
Soy or beans in place of some meat
✓
Nuts, seeds, olive oil or avocado
Little fatty meat, cream, butter or cheese
Helps your LDL
olive oil
Unsaturated fat that can lower LDL.
Mayo Clinic
Go easy
parmesan
Cream, butter and cheese: saturated fat raises LDL.
American Heart Association
One swap each, same dish
parmesan to half the cheese, plus toasted walnuts or pine nuts
Keeps the savory finish, adds healthy fats

What goes in (per portion)

pasta
¼ lb
broccoli
½ head
garlic
¼ head
parmesan
¼ cup
olive oil
½ tbsp
We usually serve it with brussels sprouts, cucumber.

Questions

Is broccoli pasta healthy?

Broccoli pasta costs about $2.37 a serving to make at home at typical US grocery prices. For lower LDL cholesterol, steadier blood sugar and weight loss, go easy on parmesan and pasta.

Is broccoli pasta good for high cholesterol?

In moderation. Go easy on parmesan; using less keeps the dish and helps with lower LDL cholesterol. Olive oil helps.

Is broccoli pasta OK for blood sugar or diabetes?

With a swap. Go easy on pasta. Broccoli and olive oil help. Swapping pasta for whole wheat pasta keeps the dish and makes it better for steadier blood sugar.

Is broccoli pasta OK for high blood pressure?

Go easy on parmesan: it's salty. Most of the salt in dishes like this comes from the sauce, so go light on soy sauce or use a low-sodium one.

Is broccoli pasta good for weight loss?

With a swap. Go easy on pasta and parmesan. Broccoli helps. Swapping pasta for whole wheat pasta keeps the dish and makes it better for weight loss.

Is broccoli pasta high in protein?

It's neutral for more protein: nothing in it stands out either way. Add a side of vegetables or beans to make it work harder for you.

How much does broccoli pasta cost to make at home?

About $2.37 a serving, or $9.49 for four servings, at typical US grocery prices, with pantry staples like soy sauce and oil counted at $0.40 a serving.

How can I make broccoli pasta healthier?

Swap pasta for whole wheat pasta. It keeps the dish recognizable.

Plan a week of dishes like this

Eat Healthy AF plans your week of Asian home cooking around your health goal, with one shopping list and the cost of each meal. Free for 7 days.
General nutrition information, not medical advice, based on each dish's main ingredients as we cook it; sauces and salt vary by recipe. Prices are typical US grocery prices and vary by store.
Eat Healthy AF (AF as in Asian Food) is general nutrition information, not medical advice. It doesn't diagnose or treat anything. Keep your doctor in the loop, and don't change any medication without them.