Have you ever mentioned to someone something you made for dinner that is commonplace on your dinner table and they looked at you like “what?”
That happened to me.
I have this dish that I make all the time. It is one of my favorites. It’s called Pasta con Broccoli (yes, I guess I am trying to be fancy with the “con” otherwise known as “with”).
It. Is. Delicious.
It’s great as a side, a main dish or cold from the tupperware as leftovers….
Wait…what??
It is. Not that I did it or anything. I would just assume it really is great.
Well, I made this dish as a side dish for a meal that I made for a friend and when I told her about it she looked at me as if she had never heard of it before.
“What????? You have never eaten Pasta con Broccoli??? (insert fancy accent from region of your choice)”.
I wanted to shake her and tell her what she has been missing all her life. I mean I have eaten this at least once a week since I was born!
Okay. Well, maybe like once a month.
Okay, okay. I am sure my mom didn’t make it for me until I was at least old enough for solid foods. But by that time, I was ready.
It is delicious! It is worth making this part of your family’s favorite recipe collection. (You have one of those right??). It is so easy, so simple, so fresh, but really so tasty, you will want to make it again and again.
Feel free to add shrimp or chicken and make it a meal or keep it simple as a side.
By the way, after my friend ate this, she called me to tell me that they loved it. It’s hard to resist!
Pasta con Broccoli
1 lb. pasta, any kind
1 cup olive oil
3 garlic cloves, peeled and minced
1 lb, fresh broccoli cut into bite sized pieces
1/2 cup chicken broth
salt and pepper
Pecorino Romano Cheese
Start a large pot of water boiling. Add pasta and cook according to package directions. While pasta is cooking, heat olive oil in large skillet. and saute garlic until translucent and fragrant about 2-3 minutes. Add broccoli and toss with olive oil and garlic in pan for two minutes until the broccoli starts to brown slightly. Add broth, salt and pepper. Simmer 8-10 minutes until broccoli is tender but still bright green. Drain pasta and return to large pot it was cooked in. Pour broccoli mixture over pasta. Sprinkle liberally with pecorino romano cheese and more salt and pepper if desired.
Leave a Reply