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Best Easy Pasta con i Broccoli Recipe

Name: Best Easy Pasta con i Broccoli Recipe
Total time: 25 min
Yield: 250 g
Ingredients: dried short-cut pasta (e.g. orecchiette, shells) 10 oz; fresh broccoli florets 4 cups; garlic cloves 3 cloves; extra virgin olive oil 3 tbsp; crushed red pepper flakes 0.5 tsp; kosher salt 1 tsp; freshly ground black pepper 0.25 tsp

Pasta tossed with garlic-sautéed broccoli, chili, and olive oil is Italian weeknight simplicity. A vegetarian mediterranean dish that's fresh, healthy, and perfect for family calorie deficit meals.

Cook 25 min Difficulty EASY 370 kcal

#vegetarian #mediterranean

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Ingredients

Main ingredients

dried short-cut pasta (e.g. orecchiette, shells) 10 oz
fresh broccoli florets 4 cups
garlic cloves 3 cloves

Seasonings/Sauce

extra virgin olive oil 3 tbsp
crushed red pepper flakes 0.5 tsp
kosher salt 1 tsp
freshly ground black pepper 0.25 tsp

Nutrition summary

Carbohydrates 55 g 60%

Protein 11 g 12%

Fat 12 g 28%

Serving size 250g

Cooking steps

1

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta about 2 minutes less than the package directions for al dente.
2

Add the broccoli florets to the boiling pasta water for the final 4 minutes of pasta cooking; reserve 1 cup pasta water before draining.
3

Meanwhile, heat the extra virgin olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the thinly sliced garlic and crushed red pepper flakes, sauté until fragrant but not browned (about 1 minute).
4

Add the drained pasta and broccoli to the skillet, tossing to coat in the oil and garlic. Add the reserved pasta water gradually, stirring over medium-high heat to create a silky sauce, 2-3 minutes.
5

Season with kosher salt and black pepper, then serve immediately, drizzling with a little more olive oil if desired.

Personalized Q&A

Q. What's the key ingredient in this Pasta con i Broccoli recipe?

The key ingredients that define this dish are fresh broccoli florets and garlic. Broccoli provides a mildly sweet, earthy bite, balanced by the aromatic depth of sautéed garlic. When tossed with quality olive oil and pasta, they form the heart of this Italian classic.

Q. How do I ensure the pasta and broccoli are both perfectly cooked?

For best texture, time the broccoli addition so it cooks right alongside the pasta for just 4 minutes—enough to become tender but still a bit crisp. To prevent overcooking, drain both together, and finish them in the skillet on medium-high heat with reserved pasta water.

Q. What's the best oil and heat control to avoid burning the garlic?

Use extra virgin olive oil heated to medium—not high—then immediately add the sliced garlic and red pepper flakes. Sauté quickly until fragrant (about 1 minute); this prevents bitter, burnt garlic and infuses the oil with delicate flavor.

Q. How many calories and carbs are in each serving?

Each serving contains about 370 kcal, with 55g of carbohydrates. This makes up approximately 60% of each serving’s calories, balanced by healthy fats and plant-based protein—a fresh choice for calorie-conscious meals.

Best Easy Pasta con i Broccoli Recipe

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