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    Home | All Recipes | Vegetarian Recipes

    Delicious Italian Broccoli Pasta With Garlic

    Published: May 24, 2021 · Modified: Jun 28, 2023 by Elle

    Jump to Recipe

    Flavored with fresh garlic, olive oil, and red pepper flakes, this broccoli pasta recipe requires one pot, very few ingredients, and a maximum of 20 minutes of your time. Italian deliciousness in a bowl, ideal for a mid-week dinner, or a last-minute gathering.

    garlic Broccoli pasta
    Jump to:
    • Broccoli Pasta Ingredients
    • Optional Ingredients
    • How to cook broccoli pasta?
    • Video Recipe Broccoli Pasta Recipe
    • People Also Ask [FAQs]
    • Tips and Tricks for the Best Broccoli Pasta
    • 🍽️ Recipe

    As odd as this may sound, this broccoli pasta dish was my absolute favorite when visiting my maternal grandmother after school during the week.

    She would prepare it with spaghettini, which is simply thinner spaghetti, use loads of garlic and red pepper flakes, and, my-oh-my, it was always perfect!

    This recipe is my own version of pasta with broccoli, which is roughly the same, but I use short pasta, such as penne, orecchiette, or fusilli, as I like how the broccoli florets bits get stuck in them, offering the perfect mouthful.

    Get your large pot out, remember to salt your pasta cooking water, and let the feast begin!

    Broccoli pasta dish

    Broccoli Pasta Ingredients

    • Pasta: Choose your favorite pasta shape and cook following package directions. All shapes work well, with spaghettini and vermicelli being the best long pasta options.
    • Broccoli: Fresh broccoli is best, however, frozen broccoli can be used instead.
    • Garlic Cloves, and Red Pepper Flakes: These are the two flavoring ingredients and you can adjust the amount to suit your taste. Fresh garlic cloves are better, however, freshly frozen work well too.
    • Olive Oil, Salt, and Black Pepper: Dressing and seasoning.
    Broccoli and garlic

    Optional Ingredients

    • Freshly Grated Parmesan Cheese: A little sprinkle on top for the real Italian experience.
    • Anchovies: Sicilian-style pasta with broccoli calls for a few anchovies to be cooked with the garlic. Try it to believe it!
    • Lemon Juice and Lemon Zest: This brings freshness, and it is an ingredient often used with broccoli. Add a little zest when sauteeing the garlic, and a spoon of juice when mixing before serving.
    • Grilled Chicken, Sausage, Turkey, Bacon, or Shrimp: To make it a full meal loaded with proteins.
    • Cheese: You can crumble virtually any cheese in this dish, however, richer and saltier cheeses tend to work better with the sweetness of the broccoli and the spiciness of the dressing. Opt for feta, goat's cheese, or smoked ricotta for the best results.
    • Sundried Tomatoes, Pitted Kalamata Olives, or Grilled Vegetables: To add that salty note and texture while keeping the recipe vegan.
    • Fresh Herbs: You can sprinkle a few fresh basil leaves or chopped parley to serve this dish.

    How to cook broccoli pasta?

    1. Wash the broccoli, then chop the florets into bite-size pieces.
    2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, and add the pasta and the broccoli.
      • NOTE: Depending on how firm you like your broccoli, you can add these before, at the same time, or after you add the pasta. You can read how to perfectly boil this cruciferous vegetable in our useful guide: How long to boil broccoli: the perfect way.
    3. Once the pasta with broccoli mixture is cooked, remove a cup of cooking water and keep it aside, then drain the broccoli pasta.
    1. In the same pot, heat up the extra virgin olive oil on medium heat.
    2. Once the oil is warm add the chopped garlic, and after 15 seconds, the red pepper flakes.
    3. Once the smell of rawness has gone add the broccoli pasta and mix well. If the pasta is too dry, add a couple of tablespoons of the reserved pasta water, which will also add creaminess.
    4. Season to taste with fresh ground black pepper and enjoy!
    how to cook broccoli pasta

    Video Recipe Broccoli Pasta Recipe

    People Also Ask [FAQs]

    Is broccoli good with spaghetti?

    Yes, this recipe can be made with spaghetti, as well as other long pasta, such as linguine or tagliatelle.

    How to cook frozen broccoli?

    Broccoli are usually blanched before freezing, so they only need 3-4 minutes in boiling water to be ready. Add them to your cooking pasta accordingly.

    How to store broccoli pasta with garlic?

    • In the fridge: You can store broccoli pasta in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. Remember that cooked vegetables change texture with time, so it is always best to eat this dish when fresh.
    • In the freezer: I don't recommend freezing this dish, however, it can be mixed with a little bechamel sauce or mozzarella and turned in a pasta bake to be cooked later, if freezing is really necessary.

    How to reheat pasta with broccoli?

    • On the stovetop: Add the broccoli pasta to a large pot with a couple of tablespoons of water or vegetable or chicken broth [adjust the amount accordingly], then mix well and cover with a lid. Put the pan on low to medium heat and stir the pasta occasionally until piping hot.
    • In the microwave: Add a few tablespoons of water to the pasta and mix it well; reheat in the microwave until hot.
    chili garlic Broccoli pasta

    Tips and Tricks for the Best Broccoli Pasta

    • Pasta Bake: If you prefer fresh mild cheese, then this broccoli pasta can be mixed with some diced mozzarella and popped in the oven for a few minutes until the cheese melts. To make this creamless creamy broccoli pasta recipe even creamier, you will certainly require some extra cooking water.
    • Different Texture: For a creamier end result, you can [and I often do!], overcook the broccoli and break down a few florets using a fork. This will mean that you won't need as much pasta cooking water [as the broccoli absorbed enough].
    • Al Dente Pasta: No matter how long you decide to cook the broccoli, always ensure you cook the pasta by following the instructions on the package. Overcooked pasta is harder to digest and it doesn't taste as nice either.
    • Serve With: Toasted bagel with some fluffy garlic butter, a colorful mixed salad, or simply on its own.

    Broccoli Pasta with garlic and red pepper flakes

    If you cooked pasta dishes with broccoli before, you probably know that this is indeed the easiest and quickest recipe - I mean, one pot and under 20 minutes for a full meal is an absolute mid-week delight!

    WRITE TO US! Should you have any questions at all regarding this broccoli recipe or any other recipe on Spice and Life, please let us know and we will respond as soon as possible. If you tried and tested this pasta recipe, then please rate and comment on this recipe card! Your thoughts will be greatly appreciated.

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    🍽️ Recipe

    Broccoli Pasta with garlic and red pepper flakes.

    Delicious Italian Broccoli Pasta With Garlic

    Elle
    Quick, delicious, and versatile are the best words to describe this broccoli pasta. The perfect one-pot meal for any day of the week!
    5 from 6 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Recipe Saved Recipe!
    Prep Time 5 minutes mins
    Cook Time 15 minutes mins
    Total Time 20 minutes mins
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine Italian
    Servings 2
    Calories 457 kcal

    Ingredients
     
     

    • 150 g Dry Pasta of choice
    • 300 g Broccoli florets about one big head, cleaned up
    • 2 tablespoon olive oil
    • 2-3 cloves Chopped Fresh Garlic
    • Chilli Flakes to taste to taste
    • Salt and Black Pepper to taste to taste

    Instructions
     

    • Wash the broccoli and chop the florets into bite-size pieces.
    • Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil and seson with salt.
    • Add the pasta and broccoli to the cooking water.
      NOTE: Depending on how firm you like your broccoli, you can add these before, at the same time, or after you add the pasta. You can read how to perfectly boil this cruciferous vegetable in our useful guide: How long to boil broccoli: the perfect way.
    • Once the pasta with broccoli mixture is cooked, remove a cup of cooking water and keep it aside, then drain the broccoli pasta.
    • In the same pot, heat up the extra virgin olive oil on medium heat.
    • Once the oil is warm add the chopped garlic, and after 15 seconds, the red pepper flakes.
    • Once the smell of rawness has gone add the broccoli pasta and mix well. If the pasta is too dry, add a couple of tablespoons of the reserved pasta water, which will also add creaminess.
    • Season to taste with fresh ground black pepper and enjoy!

    Video

    Notes

    How to store broccoli pasta with garlic?

    • In the fridge: You can store broccoli pasta in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. Remember that cooked vegetables change texture with time, so it is always best to eat this dish when fresh.
    • In the freezer: I don't recommend freezing this dish, however, it can be mixed with a little bechamel sauce or mozzarella and turned in a pasta bake to be cooked later, if freezing is really necessary.

    How to reheat pasta with broccoli?

    • On the stovetop: Add the broccoli pasta to a large pot with a couple of tablespoons of water [adjust the amount accordingly], then mix well and cover with a lid. Put the pan on low to medium heat and stir the pasta occasionally until piping hot.
    • In the microwave: Add a few tablespoons of water to the pasta and mix it well; reheat in the microwave until hot.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 457kcalCarbohydrates: 67gProtein: 14gFat: 16gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 10gSodium: 55mgPotassium: 653mgFiber: 6gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 935IUVitamin C: 135mgCalcium: 92mgIron: 2mg
    Keyword broccoli pasta
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Laura

      February 06, 2021 at 5:05 pm

      Wonderful post, would definitely try this recipe, thanks Elle x5 stars

      Reply
      • Elle

        February 06, 2021 at 6:12 pm

        Thank you, Laura! ? This is one of my favorites!

        Reply
    2. Elizabeth

      February 06, 2021 at 2:37 pm

      Love the recipe, thank you for sharing...5 stars

      Reply
      • Elle

        February 06, 2021 at 6:15 pm

        ? Thank you, Elizabeth! ??

        Reply
    3. Michael

      February 06, 2021 at 2:36 pm

      I was looking for quick meals, glad to have come across your recipe, tasted fabulous 🙂5 stars

      Reply
      • Elle

        February 06, 2021 at 6:15 pm

        Yeah, Michael! So nice to hear! I love this one as well! ????

        Reply

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    Elle Author (Spice and Life)

    Thank you for being here. If you are having a look around, it is most probably because you too love cooking with herbs and spices and are looking for your next recipe, tip, or trick.

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