Broccoli Pasta with Garlic, Red Pepper Flakes, and Parmesan Recipe
A comforting and vibrant Broccoli Pasta recipe featuring tender broccoli florets simmered in a garlic and chili-infused olive oil sauce, combined with perfectly cooked short pasta and finished with Parmesan cheese and fresh basil for a flavorful Italian-inspired dish.
- 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 similar)
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 fresh basil leaves
- Shaved Parmesan cheese for topping
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 florets and cook for 5 minutes or until they are fork-tender. Drain the broccoli, reserving the cooking water for the pasta.
- 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 becomes very tender. Mash the broccoli using a fork or blend it gently with an immersion blender to create a coarse sauce.
- Cook the Pasta: While simmering the sauce, cook the pasta in the reserved broccoli cooking water following the package instructions but reduce the cooking time by 2 minutes to ensure al dente texture. Once cooked, drain the pasta, reserving 1 cup of the pasta water.
- Add the Pasta to Sauce: Add the drained pasta to the broccoli sauce in the skillet. Stir in ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese and continue cooking for about 1 minute to marry the flavors. If the sauce seems too thick, add some of the reserved pasta water to achieve a creamy consistency. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt if needed.
- Serve: Plate the broccoli pasta and garnish with fresh basil leaves and shaved Parmesan cheese on top for a fresh finish.
Notes
- Using fresh or frozen broccoli works equally well for this recipe.
- Do not discard the broccoli cooking water as it adds flavor and starch for cooking the pasta.
- Adjust the amount of red pepper flakes according to your spice preference.
- For a smoother sauce, use an immersion blender; otherwise, mashing with a fork offers a rustic texture.
- Reserve pasta water carefully, as it is essential to achieve the perfect sauce consistency.
Keywords: broccoli pasta, Italian pasta recipe, vegetarian pasta, garlic broccoli sauce, easy pasta recipe
