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close up image of orecchiette con broccoli in a white enameled cast iron pot with a bamboo serving spoon.

One Pot Broccoli Pasta

This broccoli pasta tastes like an incredibly indulgent creamy pasta dish, but it's simple, flavorful, and healthy. This recipe comes together in under 20 minutes, making it the perfect weeknight meal or side dish.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Servings: 6 people
Course: Main Course, Side Dish
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • 2 tbsp course salt
  • 1 lb orecchiette pasta dry
  • 1 lg head of broccoli cut into bite size pieces
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • ½ cup fresh parmesan cheese finely grated
  • ½ cup reserved pasta water
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil or truffle oil
  • red pepper flakes to taste

Method
 

  1. Bring a large pot of heavily salted water (approx. 2 tbsp salt) to a boil. You want it to be salty enough that it tastes like the ocean!
  2. Once the water is boiling, add the orecchiette and let it cook for 3 minutes.
  3. Add the broccoli florets to the pot and continue to boil for 8 minutes.
  4. Using a glass measuring cup and holding the handle, ladle out ½ cup of the pasta water from the pot, set aside.
  5. Using a strainer, drain the pasta and broccoli. Quickly return pasta and broccoli to the pot.
  6. Add the minced garlic, butter and olive oil to the pasta and stir quickly until the butter is melted. Add in the reserved pasta water and continue to stir vigorously so that the broccoli breaks down in to a smooth consistency.
  7. Add the grated parmesan and red pepper flakes, stir until thoroughly mixed in.