Description

This 15-minute broccoli pasta is a quick, affordable, and flavorful meal perfect for busy weekdays. Combining tender pasta with garlicky, tender-crisp broccoli and a hint of chilli flakes, it’s finished with butter and Parmesan for a creamy, comforting dish that doesn’t require pre-cooking the broccoli.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta

250 g penne pasta

Vegetables & Aromatics

1 large head of broccoli, cut into small florets
3–4 cloves garlic, sliced
¼ tsp chilli flakes

Others

Olive oil, for cooking
Salt, to taste
Black pepper, to taste
Butter, about 1 tbsp
Parmesan cheese, grated, for garnish
Pasta cooking water, reserved, about ¼ cup

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Instructions

Boil Pasta: Bring a large pot of well-salted water to a boil. Add the penne pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, about 11 minutes. Reserve about ¼ cup of pasta water before draining.
Prepare Garlic and Chili Flakes: While pasta cooks, heat a generous drizzle of olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add sliced garlic and chili flakes. Cook gently, stirring often, until the garlic is fragrant and just turning golden, being careful not to burn it.
Add and Smash Broccoli: Add the cut broccoli florets to the pan. Using a spatula or the back of a spoon, gently smash some of the broccoli to help release flavor and soften the texture as it cooks. Continue cooking until the broccoli is tender-crisp, about 5-6 minutes.
Toss Pasta with Broccoli: Add the drained pasta directly into the pan with the broccoli and garlic. Pour in a splash of the reserved pasta water to help the sauce emulsify. Toss everything together to coat the pasta in the flavorful olive oil, garlic, and broccoli mixture until glossy and well combined.
Finish with Butter and Cheese: Remove the pan from heat and stir in butter to add richness. Season to taste with salt and black pepper. Sprinkle generously with grated Parmesan cheese and toss once more before serving immediately.

Notes

Broccoli is cooked directly in the pan without pre-steaming or boiling, ensuring it remains tender-crisp with some bite.
Smashing the broccoli helps release more flavor and softens its texture while cooking.
Reserve some pasta water to create a glossy sauce that binds the ingredients without heaviness.
Adjust chili flakes to your spice preference.
Use freshly grated Parmesan for the best creamy finish.
This dish is best served immediately for optimal texture and flavor.