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Orecchiette broccoli pasta made with chilli, garlic and parmesan. This is the quickest 10-minute meal using only 5 ingredients, it’s not only easy to make but delicious and healthy too. It makes a great weeknight meal when you’re in a hurry and can even be eaten cold for lunches the next day.
Because quick meals on weeknights are a must!
I dunno about you but on weeknights, I need something quick, easy and full of flavour. Come dinner time I am so hungry that the last thing I want to be doing is starting a meal that’s going to take the best part of an hour before making its way to the table.
Hence, why this quick broccoli pasta is my new favourite thing! I have to admit when I think of broccoli I think meh. I could really take it or leave it and it’s something I don’t really get excited about unless it’s covered in cheese in a recipe like my baked cauliflower cheese and fennel.
Since living in Italy, a few friends have shared their love of this pasta with me and I’m 100% converted, it’s delicious!
Love Orecchiette pasta? Check our some of our other favourites, Orecchiette alla Positanese (Sausage, Tomato and Burrata) and Orecchiette with ‘Nduja Sugo.
How to Make Broccoli Pasta with Chilli, Garlic and Parmesan
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and add the pasta. Cut the broccoli into small florets and add them to pot with the pasta after 5 minutes (photos 1 & 2).
Tip: Don’t throw away the broccoli stalk. Chop it up and add it to other pasta dishes or stir-fries it’s delicious and so full of goodness.
Meanwhile, finely chop the shallot, garlic clove and fresh chilli and add it to a frying pan with a good glug of olive oil. Saute everything slowly until the pasta and broccoli are ready (around 3 minutes) (photo 3).
Pin this now to find it later
Pin ItDrain the broccoli and pasta then add them to the pan with the shallot, garlic and chilli. Add the parmesan and stir until everything is combined and coated evenly, season with a little salt and pepper and a squeeze of lemon, serve (photos 4-6).
More Quick Pasta Recipes To Try
- Smoked salmon carbonara
- Pasta with pancetta, ricotta and tomato
- Sun dried tomato pasta with roasted red pepper sauce
- Mafalde pasta with butter and parmesan
- Farfalle pasta with pancetta, chilli and garlic
What Can I Add To Broccoli Pasta – Some Variations
- Add chicken for extra protein
- Swap the broccoli for romanesco or cauliflower
- Different cheeses such as gruyere or pecorino
- Grated zucchini/courgette
If you’ve tried this broccoli pasta or any other recipe on the blog then don’t forget to rate the recipe and let me know how you got on in the comments below, I love hearing from you! You can also FOLLOW ME on FACEBOOK, TWITTER, INSTAGRAM and PINTEREST to see more delicious food and what I’m getting up to.
Step By Step Photos Above
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Broccoli Pasta with Chilli, Garlic and Parmesan
Ingredients
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and add the pasta. Cut the broccoli into small florets and add them to pot with the pasta after 5 minutes.
- Meanwhile, finely chop the shallot, garlic clove and fresh chilli and add it to a frying pan with a 1 tbsp of olive oil. Saute everything slowly until the pasta and broccoli are ready (around 3 minutes).
- Drain the broccoli and pasta then add them to the pan with the shallot, garlic and chilli. Add the parmesan and stir until everything is combined and coated evenly, season with a little salt and pepper and a squueze of lemon juice, serve.
Notes
What Can I Add To Broccoli Pasta – Some Variations
- Add chicken for extra protein
- Swap the broccoli for romanesco or cauliflower
- Different cheeses such as gruyere or pecorino
- Grated zucchini/courgette
Helpful Info for All Recipes
- I always use extra virgin olive oil in all of my recipes unless stated otherwise
- When I use canned or jarred tomatoes of any kind I always use Cirio or Mutti brands for the best results and flavour.
- All vegetables are medium sized unless stated otherwise
- All recipes are tested and developed using a fan (convection) oven
- Find out more about how nutrition is calculated.
- Check out our must have Italian Pantry Staples.
- You can also find all our Essential Kitchen Tools for Italian Cooking.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
This pasta dish looks so delicious and healthy! Such a great idea for weekdays dinner – quick and easy.
Thanks so much Natalie!
Pasta and vegetables are SO good! Love all the variations you recommended and the addition of shallots. (I don’t think shallots get enough love in America) Yum!
Thanks Leslie, I love the sweetness of the shallots in this recipe!
I love the look of this. So much colour and goodness – the perfect light lunch.
This looks absolutely delicious – a nice light option for lunch or dinner. I like the fact that it takes such a small amount of time.
Simple, quick but SO tasty!! Love this!
Thanks Angela!
I love the addition of chili and garlic, two of my favorite ingredients!
Thanks Shadi!
You had me at broccoli…and I lovvvvvve the orrecchiette pasta! Those noodles are my favorite way to eat just about any pasta these days. Thanks for a great recipe… Pinning!
I love them too, thanks Traci!
I love this light pasta dish. Perfect for a full meal and leftovers for lunch the next day.
It’s great for lunch the next day, so yummy! Thanks Sharon!
10 minutes to make this pasta? Wow, that I call the perfect weeknight dinner!
Yup, so quick! Thanks so much Julia!
This is so colorful and delicious! I definitely don’t think “mehh broccoli” 😉
Yay, thanks Haley!