Broccoli Pesto Pasta
Some type of pasta pops up pretty regularly in our meal rotation. It’s simple enough to make on a weeknight, and everyone likes it. While cream and cheese laden pastas certainly have a special place in my heart, they’re not exactly the healthiest meals to have on a regular basis. So I typically look for lighter pastas for us to enjoy, and this one has become one of our favorites. I’ve only ever made basil pesto, so the thought of turning broccoli into a pesto intrigued me. Broccoli is one of my favorite vegetables, but we rarely eat it as part of a main course. This recipe puts broccoli at the forefront of the meal, and I kind of love that.
When we made this pasta the first time, I sent Annie a video of Clara eating it and enthusiastically nodding when I asked her if she liked it. That pretty much sums up our feelings about this pasta. The broccoli is cooked until just tender and then pureed with a bit of cream or Greek yogurt. You cook the pasta in the same pot you used to cook the broccoli, which obviously makes cleanup a breeze. Easy peasy and so delicious. This recipe makes a ton of pasta, so next time I make it I’m going to cook half the pasta and freeze the remaining pesto.
- YIELD: 8 servings
1 pound broccoli
1 pound pasta
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 small onion, finely chopped
3-4 cloves garlic, minced or pressed
½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
1 teaspoon salt
Up to ½ cup heavy cream (or Greek yogurt)
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Freshly grated Parmesan, for serving
- 1
Bring a large pot of water to boil. Meanwhile, chop the broccoli crowns into florets. Peel the tough outer skins of the broccoli stems using a vegetable peeler, then chop the stems into ½-inch discs. Add the broccoli to the boiling water and cook for 3-4 minutes, or until fork-tender. Alternately, you can steam the broccoli in a steam basket over the boiling water. Use a skimmer or strainer to remove the broccoli from the pot, leaving the water.
- 2
Maintain the water at a boil. Add the pasta to the pot and cook according to the package directions until al dente. Reserve 1½ cups of the pasta water and then drain the pasta well. Set aside.
- 3
Return the pot to the stove over medium-high heat. Add the butter and olive oil and heat until the butter is melted. Add the onion and cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onion is tender. Stir in the garlic, red pepper flakes and salt and continue cooking another 1-2 minutes. Return the broccoli to the pot and cook for 1-2 additional minutes. Taste and season with pepper as desired.
- 4
Transfer the broccoli mixture to a food processor or blender. Pulse, scraping down as needed, until the mixture is finely chopped. Add the cream or yogurt and process until smooth, adding reserved pasta water a little at a time to reach your desired consistency. Season with freshly ground black pepper to taste.
- 5
Return the pasta to the pot and toss with the sauce. Serve with freshly grated Parmesan.
This looks delicious! I think it’s a great change from the usual cream based sauces. Using broccoli for the pesto looks interesting, must try it!
This looks delicious! I think it’s a great change from the usual cream based sauces. Using broccoli for the pesto looks interesting, must try it!
This looks great! My boys are pretty good about trying their vegetables, but I love meals where it’s incorporated into the sauce because they’ll devour any pasta sauce that isn’t too chunky. I don’t always like being the sneaky mama, but sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do 🙂
This looks great! My boys are pretty good about trying their vegetables, but I love meals where it’s incorporated into the sauce because they’ll devour any pasta sauce that isn’t too chunky. I don’t always like being the sneaky mama, but sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do 🙂
I would never have thought of broccoli used as a pesto – so creatively healthy and it looks delicious too!
I would never have thought of broccoli used as a pesto – so creatively healthy and it looks delicious too!
Love this! Such a lovely idea for a weekday dinner!
Love this! Such a lovely idea for a weekday dinner!
Broccoli pesto sounds like such a great idea! I’m definitely going to have to try this one. Who doesn’t want as many pesto possibilities as they can get?
Broccoli pesto sounds like such a great idea! I’m definitely going to have to try this one. Who doesn’t want as many pesto possibilities as they can get?
What a beautiful dish! I love the flavor of broccoli but not the texture so this is perfect 🙂
What a beautiful dish! I love the flavor of broccoli but not the texture so this is perfect 🙂
This sounds so delicious, I’ve yet to meet a pesto I didn’t like. My dad always has a ton of broccoli from his garden, so I’m excited to try this in a few weeks!
This sounds so delicious, I’ve yet to meet a pesto I didn’t like. My dad always has a ton of broccoli from his garden, so I’m excited to try this in a few weeks!
Love this! totally going to try this recipe!
Love this! totally going to try this recipe!
My family loves this recipe, too. I had never thought to freeze half of the pesto for another time- great idea! I’ll be doing that next time for sure.
My family loves this recipe, too. I had never thought to freeze half of the pesto for another time- great idea! I’ll be doing that next time for sure.