Pasta and broccoli is a classic Italian dish that is both simple to make and bursting with flavor. Whether you're a seasoned home cook or just starting out in the kitchen, this versatile dish is sure to impress. With only a handful of ingredients and minimal preparation time, you can create a satisfying and nutritious meal that the whole family will love. This article features a collection of pasta and broccoli recipes that cater to diverse tastes and dietary preferences, from the traditional to the innovative. From creamy, cheesy variations to lighter, healthier options, each recipe offers a unique take on this classic combination. Get ready to embark on a culinary journey and discover new ways to enjoy the goodness of pasta and broccoli.
Let's cook with our recipes!
CHEESY CHICKEN AND BROCCOLI PASTA RECIPE BY TASTY
Here's what you need: olive oil, chicken breasts, salt, pepper, yellow onion, garlic, chicken broth, water, pasta shells, broccoli, cayenne powder, nutmeg, milk, shredded cheddar cheese
Provided by Tasty
Categories Dinner
Time 30m
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- Heat olive oil on medium heat in a large pot. Add chicken breasts, season with salt and pepper, and allow the chicken to brown on one side.
- Flip chicken, then add onions and garlic as the second side browns.
- Once the chicken has browned on both sides, add chicken broth, water, and pasta to the pot.
- Stir all ingredients, cover the pot with a lid, and bring to a boil. When it begins to boil, uncover and stir. Bring the heat to low, stir, then cover and let simmer for 20 minutes.
- After 20 minutes has passed, uncover and add in the broccoli. Stir continually as the broccoli steams until the rest of the liquid evaporates.
- Add milk and cheddar cheese and stir until the cheese melts and you have a smooth cheese sauce.
- Add salt and pepper (to taste), cayenne, and nutmeg. Stir once more, then you're ready to serve.
- Enjoy!
Nutrition Facts : Calories 1318 calories, Carbohydrate 133 grams, Fat 60 grams, Fiber 9 grams, Protein 57 grams, Sugar 14 grams
ONE-POT SPICY SAUSAGE AND BROCCOLI PASTA RECIPE BY TASTY
This one-pot pasta has it all - protein, vegetables, carbs, and a spicy kick! Cooking the pasta in chicken stock and rendered sausage fat gives it tons of flavor, while the starches from the pasta combine with the stock and Parmesan to make a glossy sauce.
Provided by Chris Salicrup
Categories Dinner
Time 30m
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Heat the olive oil in a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Add the sausage and cook until browned, breaking up with a wooden spoon, about 8 minutes.
- Add the broccoli, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper and stir to combine.
- Add the pasta and chicken stock and bring to a boil. Cook for 10-12 minutes, stirring constantly, until the liquid is absorbed and the pasta is tender. Add the Parmesan and stir to incorporate.
- Divide the pasta between serving bowls and garnish with more Parmesan.
- Enjoy!
Nutrition Facts : Calories 1647 calories, Carbohydrate 152 grams, Fat 96 grams, Fiber 7 grams, Protein 37 grams, Sugar 14 grams
PASTA WITH SAUSAGE AND BROCCOLI RABE
Tips: Cook the broccoli rabe the night before and you'll be way ahead. Whatever you do, read the recipe through start to finish before you get started. It's a little out of the ordinary but relatively painless. Cook off the garlic and sausage up to one hour ahead and let it sit in the pan until you're ready to finish the dish.
Provided by Food Network
Categories main-dish
Time 50m
Yield 8 servings
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Cut the broccoli rabe into 3 to 4 inch pieces, discarding the stems. In a large pot of rapidly boiling water, blanch the broccoli rabe until tender and cooked through, about 5 to 6 minutes. Before you drain broccoli rabe, reserve 1 cup of cooking liquid. Drain and rinse the broccoli rabe with cold water until it has cooled off. Spread it out on a towel to finish draining.
- Meanwhile, cook the pasta in a large pot of boiling water according to package directions until al dente.
- While the pasta is cooking, place 2 tablespoons of water into a cold skillet with garlic and sausage and then turn heat to medium-low. Cook, stirring occasionally, until garlic is golden and sausage is cooked through, about 5 to 7 minutes. Pour reserved broccoli water into pan with sausage.
- When the pasta is cooked, drain it and place back in pot you cooked it in and season with salt. Pour sausage sauce over pasta and stir in cooked broccoli rabe. Taste and adjust seasonings. Serve immediately.
- If the Queen's coming to dinner: Garnish with fresh bread crumbs and/or freshly grated pecorino Romano or parmesan cheese.
ONE-POT CHEESY BACON RANCH PASTA WITH CHICKEN AND BROCCOLI
My family would eat this every week. It's a great go-to easy one-pot meal that is complete and satisfying. And cleanup is a breeze!
Provided by NicoleMcmom
Categories 100+ Pasta and Noodle Recipes Pasta by Shape Recipes Macaroni Recipes
Yield 6
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- Heat bacon in a large Dutch oven over medium heat. Cook, flipping occasionally until browned and crisp, about 10 minutes. Drain on paper towels.
- Sprinkle chicken evenly with salt and pepper; cook in hot bacon drippings over medium-high heat, stirring often, until chicken is golden brown on all sides, about 4 minutes. Transfer chicken to a plate and set aside. Chicken will not be fully cooked at this point.
- Add shallot and garlic to drippings and cook, stirring often, until fragrant, 2 minutes. Stir in water and milk; use a wooden spoon to scrape any browned bits from bottom of the Dutch oven. Stir in pasta and ranch dressing mix. Bring to a boil and simmer for 6 minutes.
- Return chicken to the Dutch oven and add broccoli. Cook until pasta is tender and chicken is cooked through, 3 to 4 minutes. Stir in Cheddar cheese and sour cream to combine. Crumble cooked bacon over the top and serve hot.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 570.4 calories, Carbohydrate 60.4 g, Cholesterol 83.2 mg, Fat 20.6 g, Fiber 3.6 g, Protein 34.8 g, SaturatedFat 11.2 g, Sodium 680.2 mg, Sugar 5 g
CHICKEN AND BROCCOLI PASTA
Boneless chicken and broccoli make a delicious pairing in a tomato-garlic sauce. Use your favorite shaped pasta - penne and shells work well.
Provided by Gloria McShane
Categories World Cuisine Recipes European Italian
Time 20m
Yield 8
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- In a large skillet over medium heat, warm oil and add chicken; cook until slightly brown. Add onion and garlic to cook for about 5 minutes or until garlic is golden and onions are translucent.
- Add tomatoes, broccoli, salt, pepper and oregano; stir well and bring to a boil. Cover and turn down heat to simmer for about 10 minutes.
- Meanwhile, bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until tender; drain and add back into pot. Pour chicken sauce into pot and mix well.
- Add basil and toss well; top with Parmesan cheese. Serve.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 367.9 calories, Carbohydrate 51 g, Cholesterol 34 mg, Fat 7.7 g, Fiber 3.6 g, Protein 23.5 g, SaturatedFat 1.4 g, Sodium 296.1 mg, Sugar 5 g
PASTA WITH SPICY SAUSAGE, BROCCOLI RABE AND CHICKPEAS
In this hearty weeknight pasta recipe, chickpeas contribute an earthy, nutty flavor to the classic combination of sausage and broccoli rabe. The addition of Parmesan, butter, and lemon juice just before serving balances the heat from the sausage with a bit of richness, creating a bright and flavorful sauce in the process. This pasta is incredibly versatile: You can use any sturdy greens or even broccoli in place of the broccoli rabe, and feel free to swap in whatever pasta shape and canned beans you have on hand. You can even substitute sweet Italian sausage or ground pork or turkey for the sausage in a pinch; add about 1/2 teaspoon red-pepper flakes to give this dish its spicy kick.
Provided by Lidey Heuck
Categories dinner, easy, weeknight, beans, meat, pastas, vegetables, main course
Time 30m
Yield 4 to 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Roughly chop the broccoli rabe, add it to the pot, and cook for 3 minutes. Use a sieve or slotted spoon to lift the broccoli rabe from the water and place it in a colander to drain.
- Bring the water back to a boil. Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente, reserve 1 cup pasta water, then drain pasta.
- Meanwhile, in a large Dutch oven or deep, 12-inch skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high. Add the sausage and cook, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, until browned, 3 to 5 minutes. (Don't worry if the sausage is not completely cooked through.) Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
- Add the wine and cook, scraping any bits from the bottom of the pan, until the wine is reduced by half, about 1 minute.
- Add the broccoli rabe, chickpeas, 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper to the skillet and cook over medium heat, stirring often, until the sausage is cooked through and the broccoli rabe is very tender, about 3 minutes.
- Add the pasta and 1/2 cup of the reserved pasta water, toss well, and cook over low heat until the sauce comes together, about 1 to 2 minutes. Add additional pasta water, a few tablespoons at a time, if needed for moisture.
- Remove the pan from the heat, add the butter, Parmesan, lemon zest and lemon juice, and toss until the butter is melted. Divide pasta among shallow bowls and top with additional cheese sprinkled on top.
ANGEL HAIR PASTA WITH GARLIC SHRIMP AND BROCCOLI
This makes the best cream sauce I've ever had. It's a quick meal that is a sure way to impress company without the hassle.
Provided by Robbie Rice
Categories Main Dish Recipes Pasta Shrimp
Time 1h
Yield 6
Number Of Ingredients 16
Steps:
- Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain.
- Melt 1.5 tablespoons butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Stir in flour and cook for 2 minutes. Slowly stir in milk and cream; simmer, stirring constantly, until thickened. Mix in pesto, parsley, 3 cloves minced garlic, Parmesan cheese, 1 teaspoon salt, white pepper, Worcestershire sauce and hot sauce. Reduce heat to low and allow to simmer.
- Meanwhile, place broccoli in a steamer over 1 inch of boiling water, and cover. Cook until tender but still firm, about 2 to 6 minutes. Drain.
- Melt 1 tablespoon butter in a large skillet. Saute shrimp, remaining 3 cloves minced garlic, and 1 teaspoon salt for 5 minutes, or until shrimp are pink.
- In a large bowl, toss pasta, shrimp and broccoli; pour sauce over and serve.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 430.7 calories, Carbohydrate 39.5 g, Cholesterol 144.8 mg, Fat 19.9 g, Fiber 3.4 g, Protein 24.3 g, SaturatedFat 9.7 g, Sodium 1139.3 mg, Sugar 4.5 g
ONE-POT PASTA WITH BROCCOLI AND LEMON
Less is more in this quick and easy weeknight dinner. It calls for just five main ingredients (penne, broccoli, garlic, lemon, and Parmesan) and requires minimal cleanup.
Provided by Martha Stewart
Categories Food & Cooking Ingredients Pasta and Grains
Time 25m
Yield Serves 4 to 6
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add penne and cook 5 minutes. Add broccoli and cook until pasta is just under al dente and broccoli is crisp-tender and bright green, 3 to 4 minutes more. Drain, then add pasta and broccoli back to pot.
- Toss with garlic, oil, lemon zest and juice, and cheese. Serve, topped with more cheese.
BROCCOLI AND PASTA
Fresh broccoli is one of my favorite vegetables. This is a great way to dress it up. Tastes incredible.
Provided by ratherbeswimmin
Categories Vegetable
Time 40m
Yield 4-6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Cut florets and parts of broccoli stems into bite-size pieces.
- In a large skillet, saute broccoli with garlic, oil, butter, salt, pepper, and cayenne over medium heat for about 10 minutes or until just tender, stirring frequently.
- Place hot pasta in a serving dish; top with broccoli mixture.
- Sprinkle with cheese.
SPICY PASTA WITH BROCCOLI, ANCHOVY, AND GARLIC
An Italian classic. Sweet, salty, and spicy flavors combine in this unique and tasty pasta and broccoli dish. This dish benefits from being richly coated in olive oil. Serve with a fresh, absorbent slice of focaccia to mop up the sauce.
Provided by Stephen Van Houten
Time 35m
Yield 2
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Set an oven rack about 8 inches from the heat source and preheat the oven's broiler. Toss broccoli in a bowl with 1 tablespoon olive oil and salt; spread on a large baking sheet.
- Broil in the preheated oven until broccoli is tender and beginning to brown, 5 to 10 minutes.
- Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook linguine at a boil until tender yet firm to the bite, about 11 minutes.
- Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over low heat. Add anchovies, garlic, and red pepper flakes; cook and stir until anchovies dissolve into the oil, 3 to 5 minutes. Season with pepper. Mix in roasted broccoli.
- Drain pasta and return to the pot. Add broccoli-anchovy mixture and mix well. Drizzle remaining olive oil on top.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 666.9 calories, Carbohydrate 93.7 g, Cholesterol 10.2 mg, Fat 24.7 g, Fiber 8.1 g, Protein 23 g, SaturatedFat 3.7 g, Sodium 652.1 mg, Sugar 6.4 g
CHICKEN PARMESAN, PASTA AND BROCCOLI
Provided by Food Network
Categories main-dish
Time 40m
Yield Yield: 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Set a medium-size nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Spray with olive oil, and brown the chicken 2 minutes on each side. Season each cooked side with salt and pepper. Add the pasta sauce and let simmer for 4 minutes. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese, cover with a lid, and let sit 1 minute. Divide between 4 plates and serve with the pasta and broccoli.
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add the pasta. Cook 5 minutes, add broccoli, and continue to cook 4 minutes. Drain and toss with olive oil; season with salt and pepper.
ORECCHIETTE PASTA WITH BROCCOLI RABE, SAUSAGE, AND PECORINO CHEESE
The combination of sausage, broccoli rabe, and Italian Pecorino cheese from lamb's milk is incredible.
Provided by Larry Alex
Categories Meat and Poultry Recipes Pork Sausage
Time 30m
Yield 6
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Bring 4 to 6 quarts of water to a boil in a large pot.
- Cut 1 to 1 1/2 inches off of the bottom of the broccoli rabe stalks; cut into 1 1/2-inch sections.
- Place trimmed broccoli rabe and orecchiette into the boiling water and boil until pasta is tender, 12 to 14 minutes.
- Meanwhile, heat 3 tablespoons oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add sausage and cook for 6 minutes; stir in garlic and cook until sausage is browned and crumbly, 2 to 3 minutes more.
- Heat a medium-sized pan over medium heat. Add enough oil to coat the bottom of the pan. Stir in bread crumbs. Cook until browned and crunchy, about 5 minutes.
- Drain the pasta pot. Add drained broccoli rabe and orecchiette to the sausage. Add red pepper flakes and 1/2 of the bread crumbs and stir well.
- Transfer 1/2 the pasta mixture to a large bowl. Stir in 1/2 the Pecorino cheese. Add remaining pasta mixture to the bowl and top with remaining cheese; mix well. Top with remaining bread crumbs.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 565 calories, Carbohydrate 71.8 g, Cholesterol 27 mg, Fat 20.8 g, Fiber 6 g, Protein 23.6 g, SaturatedFat 5.6 g, Sodium 657.4 mg, Sugar 3.7 g
PASTA WITH MUSHROOMS AND BROCCOLI
Broccoli stems and flowers can be prepared and cooked separately, like two different vegetables. For this pasta I used a vegetable peeler to shred the broccoli stems into thin ribbons, which I cooked briefly with the mushrooms. I sliced the crowns very thin and blanched them briefly with the pasta. The result is a dish with different textures and shades of green: the stems should be crisp-tender, their color faded. The crowns will be bright green, and 2 to 2 1/2 minutes cooking will render them tender but not mushy.
Provided by Martha Rose Shulman
Categories dinner
Time 30m
Yield Serves 4
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Cut broccoli stalks away from crowns and peel stalks. Use a vegetable peeler to shave stalks into thin ribbons. Set aside. Cut crowns into thin slices (about 1/4 inch). Combine with the little flower buds that fall off onto your cutting surface in a bowl.
- Begin heating a large pot of water for the pasta. Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil over medium-high heat in a large, heavy skillet. Add sliced mushrooms and sauté until lightly colored and beginning to sweat, 3 to 5 minutes. Reduce heat to medium, add salt to taste, another tablespoon of oil, and shaved broccoli stems. Continue to sauté until the broccoli stem ribbons are crisp-tender, 3 to 5 minutes. Add garlic and thyme, season to taste with salt and pepper, and cook, stirring, until garlic smells fragrant, 30 seconds to a minute. Remove from heat.
- When water in the pasta pot comes to a boil, add salt to taste and spaghetti. Set timer for 2 minutes less than the cooking time suggested on the package. When it goes off, add thinly sliced broccoli crowns and flower buds, and cook 2 minutes more, or until the pasta is al dente. Using a ladle, transfer 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water to the pan with the mushrooms and shaved broccoli stems. Drain the pasta and broccoli and toss with the mushroom and stem mixture, either in a large bowl or right in the pan. Serve with Parmesan cheese.
ASIAN PASTA SALAD WITH BEEF, BROCCOLI AND BEAN SPROUTS
A creamy soy-ginger dressing nicely complements this pasta salad with broccoli, red pepper, bean sprouts, and peanuts.
Provided by Ben S.
Categories Salad Vegetable Salad Recipes Broccoli Salad Recipes
Yield 8
Number Of Ingredients 19
Steps:
- Mix garlic, soy sauce, vinegar, sugar, sesame oil, ginger, and pepper flakes in a 2-cup Pyrex measuring cup. Whisk in mayonnaise until smooth, then in a slow steady stream, whisk in oil to make an emulsified dressing; keep chilled until ready to toss with salad. Store in a clean jar with lid.
- Bring 1 gallon of water and 2 tablespoons of salt to boil in a large soup kettle. Add pasta and, using package times as a guide, boil, stirring frequently and adding broccoli the last 1 minute, until just tender. Drain thoroughly (do not rinse) and dump onto a large, lipped cookie sheet. Set aside while preparing remaining salad ingredients.
- Place all salad ingredients (except soy-ginger dressing) in a large bowl or transfer to a gallon-size zipper bag. (Can be covered and refrigerated several hours at this point). When ready to serve, add dressing; toss to coat and serve.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 467.6 calories, Carbohydrate 53.7 g, Cholesterol 28.6 mg, Fat 19.2 g, Fiber 5 g, Protein 23.9 g, SaturatedFat 3.4 g, Sodium 3119.8 mg, Sugar 7.3 g
CREAMY HERBED CHICKEN AND BROCCOLI PASTA SALAD
Stir grilled chicken into this creamy pasta salad with broccoli and roasted red pepper.
Provided by Food Network Kitchen
Time 45m
Yield 4-6
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
- Whisk together the mayonnaise, basil, parsley, sour cream, lemon juice, 1/2 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper in a large bowl.
- Heat a grill or grill pan over medium-high heat until hot; brush with the oil. Season the chicken breast with salt and pepper. Grill the chicken, turning once, until well-marked and just cooked through, about 7 minutes per side. Transfer to a cutting board and let rest for 5 minutes, then cut into 1/2-inch pieces.
- Meanwhile, cook the broccoli in the boiling water until crisp-tender, about 3 minutes. Transfer the broccoli to a colander with a slotted spoon and run under cold water to stop the cooking process. Add the broccoli to the bowl with the dressing.
- Add the pasta to the boiling water and cook according to the package directions. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool; add to the bowl.
- Add the chicken and red peppers to the bowl and toss to combine. Season with salt and pepper. The pasta salad is best if served right away.
GARLIC SHRIMP AND BROCCOLI PASTA
Another light great tasting pasta. I love all the garlic. You can adjust the heat by playing with the pepper flakes!
Provided by TishT
Categories One Dish Meal
Time 50m
Yield 6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Put the garlic and stock in a small sauce pan and bring to boil.
- Reduce the heat to low and cover.
- Simmer for about 20 minutes or until the garlic is soft enough to mash with a fork.
- Transfer the contents of the pan to a food processor or blender and puree until smooth.
- Set aside Bring large pot of water to boil.
- Add the pasta, stirring to make sure the strands don't stick together, and cook over high heat to desired tenderness.
- Meanwhile, put 1 Tbs of the water in a nonstick frying pan and bring to a boil over medium.
- Add the broccoli and onion, reduce the heat to low, cover, and cook for 3 minutes.
- Add the shrimp, dill, and the remaining Tbs of water.
- Stir, recover and cook for 4-5 minutes until shrimp is pink.
- Remove from heat When the pasta is done, drain and return it to the pot over very low heat.
- Add the garlic puree and mix well to coat the pasta.
- Add the broccoli shrimp mix and the seasonings.
- Toss together until well blended and serve immediately.
PASTA WITH BROCCOLI RABE AND SAUSAGE
Provided by Martha Stewart
Categories Food & Cooking Ingredients Pasta and Grains
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Prepare an ice-water bath; set aside. Add salt and broccoli rabe to the boiling water. Cook until just tender. Drain, and transfer to ice bath. When cool, drain, and set aside.
- Heat oil in a 10-inch skillet over medium-high heat. Add garlic and shallots; cook until just golden. Add sausage; saute, breaking up with the back of a spoon, until cooked through. Add broccoli rabe and stock. Cook until heated through.
- Into the same large pot, add pasta; cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain.
- Add pasta to skillet; toss to combine. Season with salt, black pepper, and crushed red pepper. Sprinkle with cheese; toss to combine. Serve immediately.
ANGEL HAIR PASTA WITH BROCCOLI AND HERB BUTTER
Categories Pasta Quick & Easy Basil Broccoli Fall Parsley Bon Appétit
Yield Makes 4 first-course servings
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Mix first 4 ingredients in small bowl.
- Bring large pot of salted water to boil. Add 2 teaspoons olive oil. Add pasta and cook until almost tender, about 3 minutes. Add broccoli and boil until pasta is tender but still firm to bite and broccoli is crisp-tender, about 1 minute longer. Drain pasta and broccoli; transfer to large serving bowl. Add herb butter and toss well to coat. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve, passing Parmesan cheese separately if desired.
PASTA AND BROCCOLI SALAD
Cooking the pasta and the broccoli together makes this easy salad even simpler.
Provided by Martha Stewart
Categories Food & Cooking Salad Recipes
Time 20m
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Cook pasta in boiling salted water, 7 minutes. Add broccoli; cook until both pasta and broccoli are tender, about 5 minutes. Drain; rinse under cold water.
- In a small bowl, combine pasta, broccoli, Parmesan, and 1/8 teaspoon each salt and pepper. Add olive oil, and toss. If desired, squeeze a lemon wedge over salad just before eating.
CHEESY CHICKEN PASTA WITH BROCCOLI AND BACON
Provided by Geoffrey Zakarian
Categories main-dish
Time 30m
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Season with salt until it tastes like the sea. Cook the pasta until not quite al dente, about 7 minutes. Transfer with a spaghetti scoop or slotted spoon to a bowl and set aside. Add the broccoli to the pasta water and blanch briefly. Transfer with a slotted spoon to a bowl. Reserve the pasta water.
- While the pasta is cooking, heat the butter in a large pan over medium heat. Once the butter is melted, add the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Whisk in the flour and cook for 2 minutes. Whisk in the milk, then bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to a simmer and cook, whisking, until the sauce is slightly thickened, about 5 minutes. Stir in the Gruyere, sour cream and Parmesan and whisk until smooth. Add the hot sauce and season with salt and pepper.
- Add the pasta, chicken and broccoli to the sauce. Continue to cook until the pasta is al dente and the sauce coats the pasta, 4 to 5 minutes. Use pasta water to adjust the consistency of the sauce if needed.
- Distribute the pasta into bowls and top with the bacon and chives.
Tips:
- Select the Right Pasta: Choose a short pasta like penne or rotini that will hold the sauce well.
- Cook the Pasta Al Dente: Cook the pasta until it is al dente, or slightly firm to the bite. This will prevent it from becoming mushy when tossed with the sauce.
- Use Fresh Broccoli: Fresh broccoli florets add a vibrant green color and a crisp texture to the dish. If using frozen broccoli, be sure to thaw it completely before cooking.
- Roast the Broccoli: Roasting the broccoli brings out its natural sweetness and caramelizes the edges. You can roast the broccoli in the oven or on a grill.
- Make a Simple Sauce: A simple sauce made with garlic, olive oil, and Parmesan cheese is all you need to bring the flavors of the pasta and broccoli together.
- Add Some Red Pepper Flakes: A pinch of red pepper flakes adds a subtle kick of heat to the dish. If you don't like spicy food, you can omit this ingredient.
- Garnish with Fresh Herbs: Fresh herbs like basil, parsley, or thyme add a pop of color and flavor to the dish. Chop them finely before adding them to the pasta.
Conclusion:
Pasta and broccoli is a classic dish that is easy to make and loved by people of all ages. With its simple yet flavorful ingredients, this dish is a great option for a quick and healthy weeknight meal. Whether you choose to roast the broccoli or simply sauté it, you'll end up with a delicious and satisfying dish that is sure to please everyone at the table. So next time you're looking for a simple and delicious pasta dish, give this recipe a try!
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