Description
Smashed Broccoli Pasta is a creamy and flavorful dish featuring smashed broccoli blended with pasta, perfect for a quick and satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound broccoli fresh or frozen
- 12 ounces short pasta orecchiette, rigatoni, conchiglie, or rotini
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic pressed or grated
- ¼ teaspoons red pepper flakes or to taste
- ½ cup grated parmesan or more to taste
- A handful of basil leaves to garnish
Instructions
- Boil the Broccoli: Cut 1 pound broccoli into small florets. Boil in a large pot of salted water for about 5 minutes, until fork-tender. Keep the water for later.
- Make the Sauce: In a skillet, heat 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil over medium. Add 2 cloves garlic (grated) and ¼ teaspoons red pepper flakes, cooking briefly until fragrant. Add broccoli plus 1 cup of the cooking water. Simmer 8 to 10 minutes, then mash with a fork or blend until creamy.
- Cook Pasta and Mix: Boil 12 ounces short pasta in the same broccoli water until just under al dente (about 1 minute less than the package). Drain, saving 1 cup of water. Add pasta to the skillet with the sauce, stir in ½ cup grated parmesan, and loosen with pasta water until glossy.
- Finish and Serve: Taste, adjust salt, then top with basil and shaved parmesan. Serve hot and enjoy!
Notes
- Broccoli → Frozen broccoli, cauliflower, or broccolini.
- Short Pasta → Penne, spaghetti, whole wheat, or gluten-free pasta.
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil → Avocado oil or light olive oil.
- Garlic → Roasted garlic, garlic powder, or shallots.
- Red Pepper Flakes → Fresh red chili, cayenne, or black pepper.
- Parmesan Cheese → Pecorino Romano, Grana Padano, or nutritional yeast (plant-based).
- Basil Leaves → Parsley, spinach, or arugula.
- Optional Add-Ins → Toasted walnuts, chickpeas, white beans, or shredded rotisserie chicken for extra protein.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days, or freeze the smashed broccoli sauce (without pasta) for up to 2 months.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Pasta
- Method: Boiling and sautéing
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 410
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 60g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 10mg