Description
A quick and comforting Broccoli Pasta made with tender broccoli, garlic, parmesan, basil, and short pasta. This creamy American-Italian dinner comes together in just 20 minutes.
Ingredients
1 pound (450 g) broccoli florets, fresh or frozen
1 gallon (3.5 liters) water
1 tablespoon salt, for boiling
12 ounces (340 g) short pasta such as conchiglie, orecchiette, rotini, rigatoni, penne, or fusilli
3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
2 garlic cloves, pressed, grated, or thinly sliced
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes or sliced red chili
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese, plus shaved parmesan for serving
1 handful fresh basil leaves
Instructions
1. Cut broccoli into small florets.
2. Bring salted water to a boil.
3. Boil broccoli for about 5 minutes until tender.
4. Remove broccoli with a slotted spoon and keep the cooking water.
5. Heat olive oil in a large skillet.
6. Add garlic and red pepper flakes, then cook briefly until fragrant.
7. Add broccoli and 1 cup of the cooking water.
8. Simmer for about 10 minutes until very soft.
9. Mash with a fork for a rustic texture or blend for a smoother sauce.
10. Cook pasta in the same broccoli water until slightly underdone.
11. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
12. Add pasta to the broccoli sauce.
13. Stir in parmesan and cook together for about 1 minute.
14. Add reserved pasta water as needed for a creamy consistency.
15. Adjust seasoning and serve with basil and shaved parmesan.
Notes
For garnish, reserve a few cooked broccoli florets before mashing the sauce.
For a vegan version, omit parmesan or use a plant-based cheese alternative.
Replace red pepper flakes with thinly sliced fresh red chili if preferred.
Use gluten-free pasta if needed.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours.
Reheat with a small amount of water to restore moisture.
Not suitable for freezing.
Nutrition values are estimates.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American-Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 435
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 554 mg
- Fat: 16 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 55 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 11 mg