The pasta with broccoli and beans is a complete and flavorful dish, perfect for a winter dinner. This dish combines the mild flavor of broccoli with the creaminess of beans, creating a balanced and satisfying mix. Broccoli is a vegetable rich in vitamins, minerals, and fibers that provide health benefits. Beans, on the other hand, are an excellent source of plant-based proteins, fibers, and complex carbohydrates. This recipe is vegetarian or vegan, but can be easily enriched with other ingredients, such as:
Sausage or bacon: for a more intense flavor.
Chili pepper: for a spicy touch.
Parmesan or Pecorino: for a more pronounced taste.
In conclusion, pasta with broccoli and beans is a simple and tasty dish, perfect for a winter dinner. This dish is complete and flavorful, and can be easily enriched with other ingredients depending on your taste.
- Difficulty: Very Easy
- Rest time: 10 Minutes
- Preparation time: 10 Minutes
- Portions: 4
- Cooking methods: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
- Seasonality: Autumn, Winter
- Energy 179.13 (Kcal)
- Carbohydrates 32.02 (g) of which sugars 1.67 (g)
- Proteins 8.89 (g)
- Fat 1.93 (g) of which saturated 0.36 (g)of which unsaturated 0.31 (g)
- Fibers 6.76 (g)
- Sodium 508.58 (mg)
Indicative values for a portion of 250 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
- 8.5 oz short pasta
- 17.6 oz broccoli
- 9.9 oz borlotti beans (Pre-cooked)
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- A few cubes Pecorino
- 4 tbsps extra virgin olive oil (Raw)
- 2 g coarse salt
Tools
- 1 Clay Pot
- 1 Pot Non-stick Pot
Steps
First, cut the broccoli by separating the florets from the stem. Keep the stem aside and remove the outer peel, then blend it separately, to be added last along with the pasta. This step gives the pasta more flavor and creaminess.
For a lighter and healthier sauté, we can substitute the oil with a tablespoon of water and a teaspoon of vinegar. Add the chopped vegetables into the pot and let them sauté over medium heat for about a minute, or until they begin to soften. Then add the tomato paste and let it sauté for another minute, stirring continuously.
After preparing the sauté, add the broccoli florets without needing to cut them and pour water until the broccoli are covered, as they will be blended later. Bring the mixture to a boil, then lower the heat and let it cook for about 15 minutes, or until the broccoli are tender.
While the broccoli are cooking, prepare the creamy sauce. Peel the broccoli stem and cut it into pieces. Blend it with an immersion blender, adding a bit of broccoli cooking water, pepper to taste, and some pieces of Pecorino (optional). The resulting mixture should be creamy and flavorful.
As soon as the broccoli are cooked, add the pre-cooked beans to the pot. Cook everything for about ten minutes, stirring occasionally. At this point, take some of the broccoli and beans and blend them together. Add the blended mixture to the pot and stir until a homogeneous mixture is obtained.
Once the broccoli and beans are well combined, add the short pasta of your choice. Cook the pasta directly in the pot, adding hot water if necessary to avoid drying out too much. At the end of cooking, add the broccoli stem blended with Pecorino to enhance the flavor.
Serve the pasta with broccoli and beans while still steaming, distributing it evenly. If desired, add a drizzle of raw extra virgin olive oil to further enhance the flavor of the pasta or garnish it with chopped parsley.
Enjoy your meal from DadCook!
Some advice:
For an extra touch of flavor, add a spice or an aromatic herb. For instance, you can add chili pepper, black pepper, oregano, or thyme.
For an extra touch of flavor, add a spice or an aromatic herb. For instance, you can add chili pepper, black pepper, oregano, or thyme.
Wine Pairing:
Here are some suggestions for pairing wine with pasta with broccoli and beans:
White Wines:
Chardonnay: a versatile white wine that pairs well with a variety of dishes. Chardonnay has a medium body, balanced acidity, and aromas of fruit, vanilla, and hazelnut. This wine complements the delicate flavors of pasta with broccoli and beans without overpowering them. Pinot Grigio: a fresh and aromatic white wine that pairs well with the flavors of broccoli and beans. Pinot Grigio has a light body, lively acidity, and aromas of fruit, flowers, and spices. This wine will add a note of freshness to the dish. Sauvignon Blanc: a fruity and mineral white wine that will add a note of freshness to the dish. Sauvignon Blanc has a light body, lively acidity, and aromas of fruit, herbs, and minerals. This wine complements the delicate flavors of pasta with broccoli and beans without overpowering them.
Rosé Wines:
Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo: an intense and fruity rosé wine that pairs well with the robust flavors of pasta with broccoli and beans. Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo has a medium body, balanced acidity, and aromas of red fruit, flowers, and spices. This wine will add a lively note to the dish. Bardolino: a fresh and aromatic rosé wine that pairs well with the delicate flavors of pasta with broccoli and beans. Bardolino has a light body, lively acidity, and aromas of red fruit, flowers, and spices. This wine is a lighter and fresher option compared to Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo.
Red Wines:
Barbera: a light and fruity red wine that pairs well with the delicate flavors of pasta with broccoli and beans. Barbera has a medium body, balanced acidity, and aromas of red fruit, flowers, and spices. This wine is a lighter and fresher option compared to fuller-bodied red wines. Pinot Noir: a fresh and aromatic red wine that will add a note of elegance to the dish. Pinot Noir has a light body, lively acidity, and aromas of red fruit, flowers, and spices. This wine is a more versatile option compared to Barbera and can be paired with a variety of dishes. Lambrusco: a sparkling red wine that pairs well with the creamy flavors of pasta with broccoli and beans. Lambrusco has a light body, lively acidity, and aromas of red fruit, flowers, and spices. This wine is a more lively and sparkling option compared to still red wines.
Ultimately, the best wine to pair with pasta with broccoli and beans is the one you like the most. Try different pairings and find your favorite combination!
