Broccoli Pasta with Chilli, Garlic and Parmesan
User Reviews
5
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Prep Time
2 mins
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Cook Time
8 mins
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Total Time
10 mins
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Servings
4 people
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Course
Main Course
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Cuisine
Italian
Broccoli Pasta with Chilli, Garlic and Parmesan
Description
This pasta recipe uses orecchiette simmered in salted boiling water. Broccoli florets are added halfway through the cooking, softening to a tender but slightly firm texture complementary to the pasta’s bite. While boiling, shallot, garlic, and fresh chilli are finely chopped and then gently sautéed in olive oil, releasing their aromas without overpowering the dish.
The cooked broccoli and pasta are drained and added to the pan with the aromatic sauté. Parmesan cheese is stirred in and melts into the warm pasta, coating it in a creamy layer. Seasoning with salt, pepper, and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice brightens the flavors and balances the mild heat from the chilli.
The recipe suggests that the broccoli stalks can be repurposed chopped in other dishes, highlighting full ingredient use. Variations include adding chicken for protein or swapping broccoli for other vegetables and using different cheeses, offering flexibility.
Ingredients
- 1 broccoli small
- 1 garlic clove
- 1 fresh chilli
- 1 shallot
- 10.5 oz (300g) orecchiette pasta or similar
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp parmesan
- 1 lemon juice, squeezed
- salt
- black pepper
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and add the pasta. Cut the broccoli into small florets and add them to pot with the pasta after 5 minutes.
- Meanwhile, finely chop the shallot, garlic clove and fresh chilli and add it to a frying pan with a 1 tbsp of olive oil. Saute everything slowly until the pasta and broccoli are ready (around 3 minutes).
- Drain the broccoli and pasta then add them to the pan with the shallot, garlic and chilli. Add the parmesan and stir until everything is combined and coated evenly, season with a little salt and pepper and a squueze of lemon juice, serve.
Notes
- Use broccoli stalks in other dishes like pasta, salads, or stir-fries to avoid waste.
- Try swapping broccoli for romanesco or cauliflower for different flavors and textures.
- Add chicken to increase protein content of the dish.
- Substitute parmesan with gruyere or pecorino for variation in cheese flavor.
- Grated zucchini or courgette can be added for extra vegetable content.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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