Ready in under 20 minutes, this Italian Pasta with Broccoli recipe is the perfect meatless Monday meal or a busy weeknight dinner!
Pasta con broccoli is one of those classic Italian recipes. It's easy, it's cheap, and it's filling. This recipe has a few simple ingredients that you probably already have in the house. It's the perfect vegetarian weeknight dinner and the ultimate comfort food!
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Broccoli Pasta Ingredients
- Pasta. The classic shape for this pasta recipe is orecchiette pasta or "little ears" because the shape of the pasta looks like little ears. If you cannot find orecchiette pasta, small shells would work as well.
- Broccoli. You will want 4 cups of fresh broccoli. That came out to two large heads for me.
- Olive oil. To saute the broccoli florets and red pepper flakes together to make the broccoli sauce.
- Garlic. It's not an Italian food if it doesn't have fresh garlic in it!
- Red pepper flakes. Depending on how spicy your family likes their pasta, you can add more or use less than 1 teaspoon of red pepper flakes.
- Salt and black pepper. To taste.
Equipment
How to Make Pasta with Broccoli and Garlic
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil over medium-high heat. Add two tablespoons of salt to the boiling water.
- While the water boils, cut the broccoli into small pieces. You are looking for the broccoli to be about bite sized pieces.
- Add the broccoli to the boiling water and cook for 3 minutes. While the broccoli cooks, add the olive oil to a large sauté pan. Add the chopped garlic and red pepper flakes and cook on medium heat for 1 minute.
- Remove the broccoli from the water with a slotted spoon and add it to garlic and oil mixture in the pan. Bring the water back to a boil and add the pasta. Cook based on the package instructions.
- With a wooden spoon, stir the broccoli mixture well. Cook for 3 minutes until the broccoli is tender and coated with the spicy oil. Turn the heat off after 3 minutes so the broccoli does not burn.
- When the pasta is al dente, take a cup of the pasta water and set it aside. Drain the pasta and add the cooked pasta directly into the large pan with the broccoli mixture. If the pasta looks too dry, add a little pasta water to create a sauce. Stir everything well to combine and serve immediately with parmesan cheese or to keep this vegan, serve with more black pepper and red pepper flakes.
Pasta with Broccoli Recipe Variations
- Use broccoli rabe! If you aren't a fan of regular broccoli, or just need a change, use broccoli rabe!
- Add some protein! Cook some spicy Italian sausage, sweet Italian sausage, or chunked chicken breasts in the oil with the red pepper flakes for the meat lovers in your life.
- Cut the broccoli into smaller pieces. The best part about this easy recipe is that it's a kid favorite! Cut the broccoli into smaller pieces so they cannot avoid eating it since the broccoli is too tiny to pick around. Trust me, they will love it! You might want to ease up on the red pepper flakes for those who don't love spicy food!
Italian Broccoli Pasta FAQs
Yes! If you are staying away from wheat, feel free to cook up your favorite type of pasta and use it in this recipe. Brown rice pasta, red lentil pasta, or your favorite type of pasta in this recipe.
Leftovers should be kept in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They will stay fresh up to 4 days. To reheat, place the pasta in a microwave safe bowl and microwave for 2 minutes. You can also reheat this pasta on the stove. Add a little bit of veggie broth or chicken broth to avoid the pasta drying out. ¼ cup should be enough.
Yes! If you are really short on time and need to, feel free to boil the pasta and broccoli together. This would also be great if you have kids and need to hide the broccoli. The broccoli will fall apart from being cooked that long, so it will be hidden in all the nooks and crannies of the pasta. Perfect to get those veggies into the kids!
Don't forget to check out these other delicious broccoli recipes!
- Instant Pot Chicken and Broccoli
- One Pot Sausage and Broccoli Pasta
- Perfectly Steamed Instant Pot Broccoli
- Instant Pot Cheddar Broccoli Soup
- Roasted Broccoli and Cauliflower Soup
Other Recipes To Try!
Did you love this Italian Pasta with Broccoli Recipe? If you did, don't forget to tag me on social media on Instagram or Facebook and share this recipe on Pinterest! Thanks for sharing this journey with me and enjoy these delicious recipes!
📖 Recipe
Italian Pasta with Broccoli Recipe
Ingredients
- 16 oz Pasta
- 4 cups Broccoli Florets
- 2 tablespoon Olive Oil
- 5 Garlic cloves Chopped
- 1 teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes Less if you like it less spicy
- Salt and Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil over medium-high heat. Add two tablespoons of salt to the boiling water.
- While the water boils, cut the broccoli into small pieces.
- Add the broccoli to the boiling water and cook for 3 minutes.
- While the broccoli cooks, add the olive oil to a large sauté pan. Add the chopped garlic and red pepper flakes and cook on medium heat for 1 minute.
- Remove the broccoli from the water with a slotted spoon and add it to garlic and oil mixture in the pan. Bring the water back to a boil and add the pasta. Cook based on the package instructions.
- With a wooden spoon, stir the broccoli mixture well. Cook for 3 minutes until the broccoli is tender and coated with the spicy oil. Turn the heat off after 3 minutes so the broccoli does not burn.
- When the pasta is al dente, take a cup of the pasta water and set it aside.
- When the pasta is al dente, take a cup of the pasta water and set it aside. Drain the pasta and add the cooked pasta directly into the large pan with the broccoli mixture. If the pasta looks too dry, add a little pasta water to create a sauce. Stir everything well to combine and serve immediately
Notes
- Frozen broccoli can be substituted for fresh broccoli.
- To make this less spicy, add ½ teaspoon of red pepper flakes, or leave the red pepper flakes out all together.
Lena Bell says
This was a family favorite!
Thank You
lynnswayoflife says
I'm so glad you enjoyed it!
Rupali says
This is such a simple and beautiful recipe. I am not a fan of broccoli, but with garlic and pasta, I love it! Thank you.
Janis Byrne says
How would you reheat this dish when making it ahead?
lynnswayoflife says
There are a few ways, you can reheat it in a microwave safe bowl for 2-3 minutes. You can also reheat it on the stove by adding the pasta to a large saute pan and adding 1/2 cup of veggie broth or water. Set the heat to medium and cook until the pasta is warmed through.
Shilpa says
Love this broccoli pasta. So easy to make and delicious. This is going to be a regular in my kitchen.
MacKenzie says
My family is always looking for new meatless Monday dishes, this one is perfect. Budget friendly, easy to make and delicious.
k says
We adore broccoli in our house and needed a new way to mix it up. This recipe is so quick and easy! I know I will be making it again when Im down to the last bits of my Costco haul!
Missy says
This Italian Pasta and Broccoli was a huge hit with grilled chicken. The flavors were delicious and it was the perfect addition to a summer meal, not too heavy.