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    Home | All Recipes | Pasta and Rice

    Easy And Yummy Broccoli Pasta Recipe

    Published: May 24, 2021 · Modified: May 23, 2022 by Elle

    Jump to Recipe

    If you are looking for a quick meal that requires very few simple ingredients and one single pan to prepare, then this broccoli pasta recipe is perfect for you! Excellent to eat on its own, or paired with a delicious side dish or main course, this pasta recipe is versatile and easy, yet bursting with flavor and absolutely yummy!

    chili garlic broccoli pasta
    Jump to:
    • Broccoli Pasta 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 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 broccoli pasta, which is roughly the same, but I tend to use short shaped pasta, such as pasta shells, penne, tortiglioni, orecchiette, or fusilli, as I like how the broccoli florets bits get stuck in them, making them easy to eat together.

    All you will need for this one-pot meal, is a large saucepan, pasta of choice, broccoli, extra virgin olive oil, red pepper flakes, garlic cloves, and seasoning. That's it!

    Broccoli-and-chili-pasta

    Broccoli Pasta Ingredients

    • Pasta: Choose your favorite pasta shape and cook following package directions.
    • Broccoli: Fresh broccoli are best, however, frozen broccoli can be used instead.
    • Garlic Cloves, and Red Pepper Flakes: The two main flavoring ingredients. You can use more or less of these, adapting the amount to your own personal taste.
    • Olive Oil, Salt, and Black Pepper: Dressing and seasoning.
    garlic and broccoli

    How to cook broccoli pasta?

    1. Wash and chop the broccoli into bite-size pieces, separating the florets.
    2. Bring a large saucepan of salted water to a boil, and add the pasta and the broccoli. Depending on how firm you like your broccoli, you can add these before, at the same time, or after you add the pasta.
    3. Once the broccoli pasta is cooked, drain and keep aside.
    1. In the same saucepan, warm up the olive oil.
    2. Once the oil is warm add the flaked chilies and chopped garlic and once the smell of rawness has gone add the broccoli pasta to it.
    3. Season to taste and enjoy!

    Video Recipe Broccoli Pasta Recipe

    People Also Ask [FAQs]

    How do you cook broccoli for pasta?

    The best and most efficient way to cook broccoli for pasta is to add them to the same saucepan where you are boiling the pasta. Depending on how firm you like your broccoli and the cooking instructions for the pasta, the washed and chopped florets can be added before, at the same time, or after the pasta has been added to the boiling salted water.

    Is broccoli good with spaghetti?

    Absolutely yes, and to prepare the recipe you can follow the same exact instructions in this recipe as per short shaped pasta.

    How to store broccoli pasta?

    This pasta dish can be stored in the fridge in an airtight container for up to two days. Reheat thoroughly before serving.

    What to serve with broccoli pasta?

    This great Italian dish can be served with most food you can think of! Serve it as a side for this Prosciutto Wrapped Cheesy Chicken or this Creamy Chicken Mushroom Recipe, or some Grilled Zucchini and Basil Pesto Ricotta. Fill up your plate with some more Mediterranean vegetables and serve it with some Roasted Fennel or Mediterranean Roasted Vegetables.

    Tips and Tricks for the Best Broccoli Pasta

    • Say Cheese: Feel free to add some cheese to this recipe in any form you like. So far, the best cheeses I've tried are the saltier ones, as they contrast well the spiciness of the pepper flakes and the sweetness of the broccoli. Grated parmesan cheese, crumbled feta cheese, or a bit of pecorino work perfectly as a topping!
    • 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 creamy broccoli pasta version even creamier, keep a bit of the pasta water so that it doesn't dry up too much in the oven.
    • Bulk it up: If you like adding more vegetables to your pasta, great options are sundried tomato, pitted Kalamata olives, or grilled vegetables such as eggplant, peppers, or zucchini. All of these can be chopped up and added to the saucepan for the last 30 seconds of sauteing.
    • Frozen Broccoli: Frozen broccoli can be used when fresh ones are not available. As for the pasta, follow the package direction on how to boil them and prepare the rest of the recipe as per the directions.
    • Other Proteins: To make this a great lunchbox, you can top it up with some chopped grilled or roasted chicken or turkey, boiled eggs, or diced ham. For a great contrast, you can saute some bacon or pancetta when you add olive oil, garlic, and chili flakes.
    broccoli pasta with crumbled feta
    Broccoli pasta with crumbled feta cheese

    You will love this recipe as it ticks all of the boxes:

    • Quick (30-Minute recipe!)
    • Easy
    • Vegan
    • Healthy
    • Can be adapted to needs
    • Tasty
    • It requires few and cheap ingredients

    What more can one ask for?

    Get chopping, get boiling… start counting your 5-a-day!

    🥗 Looking for more quick dinner ideas?

    • Green Bean Pasta with Tuna
    • Hibachi Fried Rice
    • Lemon Zucchini Pasta Sauce with Feta
    • Tomato and Tuna Pasta
    • Simple Chicken Curry

    Recipe

    chili garlic broccoli pasta vegan

    Easy And Yummy Broccoli Pasta Recipe

    Elle
    One-pot meal that is tasty, healthy, and ready in under 30 minutes
    5 from 5 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Recipe Saved Recipe!
    Prep Time 5 mins
    Cook Time 15 mins
    Total Time 20 mins
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine Italian
    Servings 2
    Calories 361 kcal

    Ingredients
     
     

    • 130 g Dry Pasta I used penne
    • 300 g Broccoli florets about one big head, cleaned up
    • 1 tablespoon olive oil
    • 10 g Chopped Fresh Garlic
    • Chilli Flakes to taste
    • Salt and Black Pepper to taste

    Instructions
     

    • Chop the broccoli into pieces the same size (or slightly bigger) than the pasta shape chosen, wash them thoroughly, and set aside. Note: Chopping vegetables to the same size as the pasta allows for the whole recipe to mix well and each bite can have a bit of everything.
    • On the stove put one big pot of water and bring it to the boil; once the water is boiling, add ½ teaspoon of salt and the pasta to it.
    • Check the cooking time of the pasta (penne are normally 10-12 minutes) and compare with the time to cook the broccoli. If you like your broccoli al dente, add them once the pasta is 5 minutes from being ready, while if you like them softer add them before, or at the same time as the pasta.
    • Once broccoli and pasta are ready, drain, and put back in the pot. Do not ‘’over-drain’’ the food… a tiny amount of cooking water will keep the pasta creamy.
    • Add the oil to the saucepan. Once the oil is warm add the chopped garlic and lower the flame to low; after about 1 minute (when you can no longer smell the rawness of the garlic) add the chili flakes to the pan, stir well and add the broccoli and pasta.
    • Mix well and add salt and black pepper to taste. Enjoy!

    Video

    Notes

    This pasta dish can be stored in the fridge in an airtight container for up to two days. Reheat thoroughly before serving.
    Frozen broccoli can be used when fresh ones are not available. As for the pasta, follow the package direction on how to boil them and prepare the rest of the recipe as per the directions.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 361kcalCarbohydrates: 60gProtein: 13gFat: 9gSaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 54mgPotassium: 639mgFiber: 6gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 935IUVitamin C: 135mgCalcium: 93mgIron: 2mg
    Keyword broccoli, broccoli recipes, chili, diet, healthy food, Italian, pasta, penne pasta recipes, vegan, vegan pasta
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    More Pasta and Rice

    • Easy One-Pot Green Bean Pasta With Tuna
    • The Best Hibachi Fried Rice Recipe
    • Yummy Lemon Zucchini Pasta Sauce with Feta
    • Perfect Tomato and Tuna Pasta Recipe

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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. 

    I love food, the sun, good music, and having a laugh, and if you want to know how this small-town Italian got this site together, then

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    More about me →

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