broccoli chicken pasta

ingredients (makes 2 servings)

• 2.5 cups broccoli
• 1/2 cup raw cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup basil leaves
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tsp lemon juice
• 1-2 dashes of salt / pepper
• 4oz Cavatappi, Nutrient-Packed, Loopdy-Loos
• 8oz Protein (can be shredded chicken, cubed chicken breast, ground turkey, ground beef, etc.)

directions

1. NOTE: Food processor recommended, but you can pulse with a blender if you don't have a food processor.
2. Separate broccoli stalk from florets and finely chop florets. Trim woody end of stalk, then peel and finely chop. Cook stalk in a large pot of boiling salted water until bright green, about 3 minutes.
3. Add florets and cook until crisp-tender, about 3 minutes more. Using a slotted spoon or mesh spider, transfer broccoli to a large bowl of ice water, then drain on paper towels.
4. Add pasta to same pot of boiling water and cook until al dente. Drain pasta, reserving 1 cup pasta cooking water, and return to pot.
5. While pasta cooks, transfer broccoli (reserve a handful of florets) to a food processor and add Parmesan, basil, oil, and lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper, then process until smooth.
6. Toss pasta with broccoli pesto, adding more pasta cooking liquid as needed to coat evenly. Toss in reserved broccoli florets and season with salt and pepper.
7. Top with chicken and 1-2 basil leaves.