There are recipes that smell like home, Sunday lunches and laughter around the table. Today we take you into the heart of southern tradition with a simple, appetizing first course with an irresistible flavor: broccoli and pancetta pasta.
Perfect when the first fresh broccoli start appearing at the greengrocer’s, but ideal all year round thanks to convenient frozen broccoli. It’s that clever dish to put on the weekly menu when you want something tasty, nutritious and that gets even picky eaters to eat their greens (yes, them… the kids!).
Imagine a cool autumn day, you come home and want to treat yourself to something warm and creamy. You open the fridge, find the pancetta, grab the broccoli, and in a few minutes you make a first course that smells of tradition. It’s one of those “dinner-saver” dishes that always makes us feel a little cosseted, bringing us back to the simple yet rich flavors of old-fashioned cooking.
also discover:
- Difficulty: Easy
- Cost: Inexpensive
- Preparation time: 15 Minutes
- Portions: 4
- Cooking methods: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
- Seasonality: Autumn, Winter and Spring
- Energy 398.30 (Kcal)
- Carbohydrates 63.21 (g) of which sugars 3.34 (g)
- Proteins 18.88 (g)
- Fat 9.58 (g) of which saturated 3.28 (g)of which unsaturated 6.18 (g)
- Fibers 3.18 (g)
- Sodium 423.70 (mg)
Indicative values for a portion of 179 g processed in an automated way starting from the nutritional information available on the CREA* and FoodData Central** databases. It is not food and / or nutritional advice.
* CREATES Food and Nutrition Research Center: https://www.crea.gov.it/alimenti-e-nutrizione https://www.alimentinutrizione.it ** U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service. FoodData Central, 2019. https://fdc.nal.usda.gov
Ingredients
Few, simple and easy to find. The perfect combo of flavor and practicality, ideal for those days when you want something good without too much fuss.
- 11 oz mezze penne rigate (short ridged penne)
- 1/2 onion
- 1 garlic (one clove)
- 2 3/4 cups broccoli florets
- 4 oz pancetta (diced)
- to taste salt
Steps
The preparation is really easy: just a few quick steps to bring to the table a dish that tastes like grandma’s kitchen!
WITHOUT BIMBY:
1. Start by cleaning the broccoli and cutting them into florets. Boil them in salted water for about 7-8 minutes, then drain and set aside.
2. In the same water used to cook the broccoli, cook the pasta following the package times.
Meanwhile, in a large skillet, heat the oil and lightly sauté the whole garlic clove (then remove it) and the finely chopped half onion.
3. Add the diced pancetta and brown it until nicely golden.
4. Pour the broccoli into the skillet, crushing them slightly with a fork to create a coarse creamy texture.
5. Drain the pasta al dente and pour it directly into the skillet with the sauce. Toss everything together for a couple of minutes, adding a little pasta cooking water if needed.BIMBY:
1. Put the water for the pasta into the bowl, bring to a boil at 212°F, speed 1.
2. Add the broccoli and cook 8 min. 212°F, Soft speed. Drain and set aside.
3. Put the oil, garlic and onion into the bowl: 3 min. 212°F, speed 1.
4. Add the pancetta: 5 min. 212°F, Soft speed.
5. Add the broccoli and blend 5 sec. speed 4 for a coarse cream.
6. Pour everything over pasta cooked separately, combine and serve.
So what are you waiting for? Run to the kitchen and try this broccoli and pancetta pasta right away!
And if you like it, share it with your loved ones: you’ll see it will become a regular at the table.
Now… let’s taste it! The sweetness of the broccoli perfectly blends with the savory pancetta, all wrapped in an amazing creaminess. One forkful leads to another, guaranteed.
Storage: You can keep it in the fridge for up to 2 days, well sealed in an airtight container.
Notes: You can replace the pancetta with speck or guanciale for a stronger flavor. And if you want it even creamier, add a sprinkle of Parmesan at the end of the tossing.
To serve: Serve hot, perhaps with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and a grating of cheese.
Broccoli and Pancetta Pasta: the creamy dish that wins everyone over, even the little ones!
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Craving something sweet? If you’re looking for something quick to make while you clear the table, run and read the recipe for the Seven-Jar Orange Cake. It’s super soft and you don’t need to weigh anything, perfect for the whole family!
FAQ (Questions and Answers)
Can I use frozen broccoli for this recipe?
Absolutely yes! Just cook them directly in boiling water following the package instructions and proceed as in the recipe. Perfect for when you can’t find fresh ones but don’t want to give up this delicious dish.
