Description
A light and healthy broccoli pasta recipe featuring tender broccoli florets mashed with garlic and crushed red pepper, combined with shell pasta and freshly grated parmesan cheese for a deliciously simple meal ready in just 35 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables and Pasta
- 1 large broccoli head, trimmed into small florets
- 12 ounces shell pasta
Seasonings and Oil
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 3 minced garlic cloves
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Cheese and Water
- 1 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
- ½ cup reserved broccoli cooking water
Instructions
- Cook the Broccoli: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the broccoli florets and cook for about 5 minutes until tender. Remove the broccoli with a slotted spoon and transfer it to a bowl. Reserve ½ cup of the cooking water for later use.
- Prepare the Broccoli Mash: In a skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil over medium heat. Add minced garlic and crushed red pepper flakes, cooking for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Add the cooked broccoli and the reserved cooking water. Season with salt and black pepper. Cook for approximately 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the broccoli softens enough to mash easily with a spoon.
- Cook the Pasta: Using the same pot that was used to cook the broccoli water, add the shell pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, usually about 9 to 11 minutes. Drain the pasta thoroughly.
- Combine Pasta with Broccoli Mash: Transfer the drained pasta to the skillet with the broccoli mash. Add the grated parmesan cheese and stir until well combined. If the mixture is too thick, add a splash of the reserved broccoli water to loosen the sauce as needed.
- Season and Serve: Taste the dish and adjust with additional salt and black pepper as desired. Serve immediately, garnished with extra parmesan cheese if preferred.
Notes
- Reserve some broccoli cooking water to adjust the sauce consistency as needed.
- Use freshly grated parmesan for the best flavor and texture.
- For a spicier dish, increase the crushed red pepper flakes slightly.
- Serve immediately to enjoy the best texture and flavor.
- Can be made vegetarian by using vegetarian parmesan or omitting cheese.
