Broccoli Pasta with Garlic, Red Pepper Flakes, and Parmesan Recipe
A vibrant and creamy broccoli pasta dish combining tender boiled broccoli with garlic-infused olive oil, a hint of red pepper flakes, and Parmesan cheese. Cooked pasta is tossed in a flavorful broccoli sauce, then garnished with fresh basil and shaved Parmesan for a simple yet delicious meal perfect for any day of the week.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Broccoli
- 1 pound broccoli (fresh or frozen)
- 1 gallon (3½ liters) water
- 1 tablespoon sea salt
Pasta
- 12 ounces short pasta (conchiglie, orecchiette, rotini, or another type)
Sauce
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic (pressed, grated, or thinly sliced)
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (or thinly sliced red chili, adjust to taste)
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Garnish
- 1 handful basil leaves
- Shaved Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Boil Broccoli: Cut the broccoli into small florets. Bring 1 gallon (3½ liters) of water seasoned with 1 tablespoon of sea salt to a boil. Add the broccoli and cook for about 5 minutes or until fork tender. Drain and set aside, reserving the broccoli cooking water for later use.
- Make the Sauce: Heat 3 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic and red pepper flakes, sautéing for about 1 minute until fragrant. Add the boiled broccoli to the skillet along with 1 cup of the reserved cooking water. Simmer on medium heat for 10 minutes or until the broccoli is very tender. Mash the broccoli with a fork for a chunky sauce or use an immersion blender to blend it until smooth, depending on your preferred texture.
- Cook the Pasta: While the broccoli simmers, bring the reserved broccoli cooking water back to a boil and cook the pasta according to package instructions minus 2 minutes to keep it slightly firm. Drain the pasta, reserving 1 cup of the pasta water.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the drained pasta directly into the skillet with the broccoli sauce. Stir in ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese, and cook together for about 1 minute to blend flavors. Add reserved pasta water as needed to adjust the sauce consistency, making it creamy and well-coated.
- Serve: Taste and adjust seasoning with salt as needed. Serve the pasta garnished with fresh basil leaves and shaved Parmesan cheese on top for a lovely presentation and extra flavor.
Notes
- Using the same water for boiling broccoli and cooking pasta enhances the flavor and minimizes nutrient loss.
- You can blend the broccoli sauce to smooth or keep it chunky based on your preference.
- Adjust red pepper flakes according to your spice tolerance.
- Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency for creaminess without adding cream.
- Fresh basil and shaved Parmesan add freshness and texture as a final touch.
Keywords: Broccoli pasta, vegetarian pasta, creamy broccoli sauce, quick pasta recipe, Italian pasta dish, easy vegetarian dinner
