Quick Orecchiette Pasta with Broccoli Sauce Recipe (2024)

Orecchiette Pasta with Broccoli Sauce - is a really easy pasta dish and and so delicious! This is total Italian comfort food. This simple pasta recipe comes together in less than 30 minutes! A no-fuss dinner that is vegan, flavorful, and family friendly.

Pasta Con Broccoli, a traditional dish hailing from the heart of Italy, is an exquisite blend of simplicity and bold, rustic flavors. Combining the earthiness of broccoli with the comforting taste of al dente pasta, it is an authentic Italian recipe that is sure to satiate both your hunger and your palate.

This pasta recipe is made with a simple broccoli sauce that begins with sautéing shallots (or onions) and a little bit of garlic. The broccoli gets partially cooked in boiling water and then added to the sauce pan with the shallots. It all comes together in less than 30 minutes. The kids (and adults)absolutely love it!

The name 'Orecchiette' translates to 'little ears', referring to the unique shape of the pasta, perfectly designed to hold the robust broccoli sauce. The dish beautifully marries the hearty texture of the pasta with the vibrant green broccoli sauce, resulting in a delightful play of taste and texture.

When the kids were very little, I experimented with broccoli recipes. I was lucky that this was a dish they loved immediately, and it’s a broccoli pasta I grew up eating. Since my friends here are often asking me for more quick pasta recipes, it was time to share this little gem!

And if you’re trying to add more greens into your kids meals, this could be that recipe they’ll love as much as mine do! My Italian broccoli pasta is really simple to make and seriously delicious!

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Orecchiete with broccoli rabe

Orecchiette with broccoli is one of the most famous dishes from Puglia, and you’ll also find it in Basilcata and different areas of Southern Italy. Even Sicily has their version (but not with orecchiete) Sicilian Pasta with Cauliflower -Pasta chi Vruocculi Arriminati. But since my kids aren’t the biggest broccoli fans, we made this with regular broccoli.

This is one of those Italian recipes that isn’t really a recipe. It comes together with what is on hand and is a really budget friendly pasta dish.

What does orecchiette mean ?

Orecchiette is a type of pasta that is shaped to resemble small ears, hence the name which translates to "little ears" in Italian. It is traditionally made from durum wheat semolina and has a chewy texture with a slight indentation in the middle, making it perfect for catching the sauce and other ingredients in this dish.

Why we love this pasta with broccoli sauce

• No-fuss - this is a really quick and easy pasta sauce to put together.
• Vegan- this recipe is totally dairy-free and meat-free (if you’re cutting back on meat, this is the recipe for you!)
• Kid-friendly - my kids have always been broccoli fans. If your kids like broccoli, they will love this pasta recipe!
• Easy to make gluten-free - use your favorite GF pasta to make this totally gluten-free
• Versatile pantry recipe - If you’re like me and always have fresh or frozen broccoli on hand, you should have all you need to get this delicious pasta going right now!

What ingredients are in this broccoli sauce

• Pasta - I used orecchiette. I’ve been seeing them now at almost every market. You may also come across dischi or even gemelli. The orecchiette have the perfect shape to hold the sauce. Each bite gets all the amazing flavors!
• Broccoli florets - I used fresh, but frozen would also work.
• Shallot- you could sub with sweet, white or red onion (it’s all fine).
• Olive oil - I used extra-virgin olive oil. It adds more depth of flavor to the sauce.
• Garlic - if you’re a garlic fan, add more to your liking. It truly is perfect with the broccoli. ,
• Parmeggiano Regiano - you could sub with grana padano or pecorino Romano.
• Red chili flakes - adds that spicy kick. Use a little or more, to your liking! You may like it mild, so it’s an optional ingredient.

How to make broccoli pasta

Gather up all the ingredients (I forgot to take a photo of my veggie broth, if you don't have any, a little water will be fine).

Step 1: It all begins with the broccoli. Cut your broccoli into smaller pieces (if you bought florets, you'll need about 6 cups).

Step 2: Fill a medium sauce pan with water and bring to a boil. Fill another large pot with water to cook the pasta. Salt the pasta water and bring to a boil.

Step 3: When the water boils in one of the pots, add the broccoli.

Step 4: While the broccoli cooks in the water, place a large saute' pan over medium-high heat. Add some olive oil and heat it up. When it's hot, add the shallots (or onions)stir. Cook and stir until softens and add in the garlic (if you add the garlic from the beginning, it will brown too fast).

Step 5: Drain the broccoli and it to the saute' pan. Stir to combine. Add in the miso paste (or soy sauce or even coconut aminos would work).

Step 6: Add in a little broth and keep stirring. Break up the broccoli with your wooden spoon as it's softening and cooking.

Step 5: When the pasta is about 1 minute from being al dente, drain (reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta water) and to the skillet with the broccoli.

Step 6: Keep on medium-high heat and stir to combine. Add a little bit of the reserved pasta water. Stir to combine and keep on the heat for 1-2 minutes (the pasta will cook a little more until it's al dente).

Step 7: Plate up the pasta. Drizzle on a little bit of the extra-virgin olive oil and sprinkle on some hot pepper flakes (if you like it spicy). If you're not dairy-free, sprinkle on some cheese (Parmigiano Reggiano,or Pecorino, or your fave vegan cheese, or nutritional flakes).

Recipe Tips and FAQs

• Olive oil-The most important (besides the broccoli)ingredient in this sauce, is the olive oil. You’re cooking the broccoli in olive oil and you drizzle some on top when it’s ready. So prefer a really good quality extra-virgin olive oil. The fruity flavor makes all the difference!
• Broccoli-The broccoli is the star of the sauce, so use whatever broccoli you love. If you like a little bitter flavor, the broccoli rabe is delicious in the sauce. But broccoli florets are more mild and also delicious.
• Pasta-we used orecchiette. It’s easier to under cook them, as they hold their shape really well. Any short pasta is great with this sauce. Just be sure to cook it 1-2 minutes less than al dente, and then it continues to cook it with the broccoli sauce.
• Spice-You could use red pepper flakes, fresh chili pepper (whole or sliced), or jarred Calabrian hot peppers (I happened to have some my mother-in-law made this summer in Italy)

Variations/Substitutions

• Pasta Type: While orecchiette, penne, or rigatoni are recommended for this dish, any type of pasta can be used. Even gluten-free pasta would work well.
• Vegetable: If broccoli isn't available or to your liking, you can substitute it with other veggies like spinach, bell peppers, or zucchini.
• Vegan Cheese: The vegan cheese used for garnish can be substituted with nutritional yeast for a cheesy flavor.
• Oil: Olive oil can be substituted with other healthier options like avocado oil or grapeseed oil.
• Broth: If you do not prefer vegetable broth, chicken or beef broth can be used. Just note that this would make the recipe non-vegetarian.
• Add-ons: Feel free to add in other ingredients to enhance the flavor such as olives, sun-dried tomatoes, or even some chunks of grilled chicken or tofu for extra protein.

What to serve it with?

1. Italian Bruschetta: This classic appetizer involves toasting bread slices and topping them with a mixture of diced tomatoes, minced garlic, basil, and extra-virgin olive oil. The key is to use ripe tomatoes and good quality olive oil. The bread should be toasted just before serving to maintain its crispness.
2. Marinated Mushrooms: This recipe is perfect for an appetizer and features button mushrooms marinated in a mixture of lemon juice, white wine vinegar, olive oil, garlic, and various herbs. These mushrooms can be served in a variety of ways, such as in salads, on a charcuterie board, or as a topping for pizzas and burgers. They can be stored in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.
3. Burrata Caprese Salad: This refreshing salad combines ripe tomatoes with creamy burrata cheese, fresh basil, olive oil, and balsamic glaze. It's an easy recipe to prepare and serves as a perfect starter for an Italian meal. For the best flavor, it's recommended to assemble the salad just before serving.

FAQ'S

Some other delicious pasta recipes to try:

• Easy Lentil Bolognese
• Ziti al Forno
• Pumpkin and Turkey Pasta
• Antipasto Pasta Salad

One last thing…I promise!

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