Spicy Penne with Broccoli and Garlic is a healthy, elegant side or a meatless main dish that is full of fiber & brimming with flavors that is quick and easy! Serve it hot, room-temperature or even cold! I could probably eat this for every meal, every day…but I am a total carb-aholic!
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Is it just me, y’all? Carbs just make me happy!!!
And I am not talking about sweet carbs, like most, I could really care less about sweet treats. I know that I am probably weird and like the only person who doesn’t drool over cookies, cakes and pies. I am talking about savory carbs 🙂 MMMMMM…make me happy!! I could totally live on pizza and pasta for the rest of my life!!!
I think that I have mentioned this before, but I could totally be a vegetarian and have gone through vegetarian-phases in my life! My family, though, definitely want meat at every meal. I usually don’t eat any meat during the day and only have it for dinner.
We paired this Spicy Penne with Broccoli and Garlic with grilled chicken, but it is very versatile and you could really pair it with just about anything. Or…if you are like me…just eat it all by itself!! You could use any veggie that you have on-hand and customize the spices to your preference. Don’t like spicy…ok no prob, just leave out the red pepper flake.
I adapted this recipe for Penne with Broccoli from Lemon Sugar when coming up with this dish. BTW…I love using a stock pot like this one with a pasta insert. It makes it sooo easy to strain the pasta and easily reserve the starchy cooking water without having to fish out pasta.
Here is the recipe for Spicy Penne with Broccoli and Garlic:
- 1 box (13-14 oz) of whole wheat penne pasta (any pasta will work)
- 2 pounds of fresh broccoli, cleaned and chopped into florets
- 2 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tbsp. butter
- 3-4 garlic cloves, minced or pressed
- 2 tsp. crushed red pepper flake (more or less depending on your spice preference)
- ½ cup grated parmesan cheese.
- Sea salt and fresh cracked pepper to taste.
- Begin to cook pasta to "al-dente" according to package instructions. A couple of minutes before pasta should be done, add the broccoli to the pot. When the time is up for the pasta, drain the pasta and broccoli, reserving one cup of starchy pasta water. Put pasta and broccoli back into hot pot. Set aside.
- While pasta is cooking, heat a small skillet over medium-high heat. Add olive and butter once the pan is hot.
- When butter is melted, add the garlic and red pepper flake. Saute the spice for 2 minutes, being careful not to burn.
- Once the garlic has turned light brown, pour the sauce over the pasta and broccoli. Add the reserved starchy cooking water, parmesan, salt and pepper. Toss to combine.
- Serve hot, room temperature or even cold.
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We make something very similar and love it! Spreading lots of foodie love around for you…this is definitely one of my favorite meals too. 🙂
No, it’s not just you, carbs make me happy too. I’ve been using whole wheat pasta more because I prefer the taste and this is a great recipe.
Normally, I am not a Penne fan, but, your recipe is definitely making me rethink this pasta. Besides, the spice factor in this recipe is what makes it appealing.
I wish I could eat more pasta, but I might make an exception for this. The flavors look perfectly fresh and bright!
Broccoli and garlic sound like a beautiful combination in a penne dish. Love this recipe 🙂
I am like you. I need my carbs 😉
I’m with you, I’ll pass on the sweets and take pasta any day of the week. This is exactly the kind of meal I like to dive into. Great recipe.
Yay! I’m not alone!! Thanks for the compliment!
This looks so light & healthy – love a great pasta dish!
Thanks Debra! I could eat pasta forever!!
This looks so good! All fresh and green like this. I can’t wait to try it! And, I love broccoli and spicy things!
I’m with you on the carbs, love pasta. I too could live on it and pizza. This recipe looks scrumptious!
Thanks Mary Ellen!! Yep, pizza and pasta and I am one happy girl 🙂
Sounds delicious 🙂 I love the addition of the red pepper flakes, and broccoli is one of my favourite vegetables, pinned!
Thanks Hannah!! I am a big broccoli fan as well 🙂