Pasta with Broccoli
Category: First Courses
Servings: 4
Ingredients:
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Fresh Troccoli (or similar pasta) | 320g |
| Broccoli | 450g |
| Garlic | 1 clove |
| Extra virgin olive oil | To taste |
| Fine salt | To taste |
| Black pepper | To taste |
Instructions:
To prepare this simple yet flavorful Pasta with Broccoli, start by carefully detaching the broccoli florets from the central stem. Make sure to separate them evenly to ensure they cook uniformly. Once you have your florets ready, bring a large pot of water to a boil and add some salt. Gently drop in the broccoli and cook for about 10 minutes, until they are tender but still vibrant in color.
Meanwhile, in a deep skillet or saucepan, heat a generous drizzle of extra virgin olive oil over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, add the garlic clove, letting it infuse the oil with its aroma. Stir occasionally to avoid burning the garlic. After a few minutes, remove the garlic clove from the pan, as it should have imparted enough flavor by now.
Next, carefully drain the broccoli, keeping aside the cooking water for later use. Transfer the broccoli to the skillet with the infused oil, and cook on medium heat for about 20 minutes. Add a splash of the reserved water as you go, ensuring the broccoli remains moist as it reduces down into a creamy texture. Stir occasionally and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. If necessary, add more water to achieve the desired creamy consistency.
While the broccoli cooks, bring the water you used for boiling the broccoli back to a boil and cook the troccoli (or any other pasta you prefer) until al dente, following the package instructions. Once the pasta is ready, set aside a few small broccoli florets to add later for garnish, and drain the pasta, reserving some of the cooking water.
When the broccoli sauce has thickened to your liking, gently fold in the reserved broccoli florets to add some texture and freshness to the dish. Now, add the pasta directly to the skillet with the broccoli sauce, and toss everything together. If the mixture feels a bit too thick, add a spoonful of the reserved pasta water to loosen it up, stirring until the pasta is fully coated.
Give the pasta a quick toss in the skillet to let all the flavors meld together, then serve hot. This delicious, creamy pasta with broccoli is a perfect combination of simple ingredients that create a comforting, hearty dish. Enjoy your homemade Pasta with Broccoli, a delightful meal that brings out the natural flavors of fresh vegetables and the rich taste of olive oil.
This dish is both nutritious and satisfying, offering a healthy balance of vegetables and pasta. Ideal for a quick weeknight dinner or a cozy meal with family, it brings a bit of Italian comfort to your table.
