Broccoli Pasta with Garlic, Red Pepper Flakes, and Parmesan Recipe
This Broccoli Pasta recipe is a simple and flavorful dish that combines tender boiled broccoli with garlic, red pepper flakes, and parmesan cheese to create a creamy, comforting pasta sauce. Using the pasta cooking water to enhance the sauce helps achieve the perfect texture and taste, making this recipe both easy and delicious for a quick weeknight meal.
- 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
Vegetables
- 1 pound broccoli (fresh or frozen)
Pasta
- 12 ounces short pasta (conchiglie, orecchiette, rotini, or another type)
Seasonings and Oils
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic (pressed, grated, or thinly sliced)
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (or thinly sliced red chili)
- 1 tablespoon sea salt (for boiling water)
Dairy
- ½ cup grated parmesan cheese (+ shaved parmesan for garnishing)
Herbs
- 1 handful fresh basil leaves
Other
- 1 gallon (3½ liters) water (for boiling broccoli and pasta)
Instructions
- Boil broccoli: Cut 1 pound of broccoli into small florets. Bring 1 gallon (3½ liters) of water to a boil, adding 1 tablespoon sea salt. Boil the broccoli for about 5 minutes until fork tender, then remove from water but do not discard the water.
- Make the sauce: Heat 3 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 2 cloves of thinly sliced garlic and ¼ teaspoon 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 for 10 minutes or until the broccoli is very tender. Mash the broccoli with a fork or blend with an immersion blender until creamy.
- Cook the pasta: While the broccoli simmers, cook 12 ounces of short pasta in the same water used for boiling the broccoli, following the package instructions but reduce cooking time by 2 minutes to keep pasta slightly firm. Drain pasta, reserving 1 cup of pasta cooking water.
- Add pasta to sauce: Add the drained pasta to the skillet with the broccoli sauce. Stir in ½ cup grated parmesan cheese and cook together for about 1 minute, adding reserved pasta water as needed to achieve a creamy consistency.
- Serve: Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. Serve immediately garnished with fresh basil leaves and shaved parmesan cheese on top.
Notes
- The broccoli cooking water is used for cooking pasta and making the sauce, enhancing flavor and texture.
- Adjust red pepper flakes amount to control spiciness.
- If you prefer a smoother sauce, use an immersion blender; otherwise, mashing with a fork gives a chunkier texture.
- Reserve pasta water to help loosen the sauce and achieve creaminess without cream.
- Fresh basil adds a refreshing herbal note and should be added just before serving.
Keywords: broccoli pasta, easy pasta sauce, vegetarian pasta, quick dinner, Italian pasta recipe, creamy broccoli sauce
