Recipe: Pasta with Broccoli and Garlic

recipelink.com Chat Room Recipe Swap - 2001-08-16
From: Recipelink

Pasta with Broccoli and Garlic
From: Stephanie DiCamillo

This recipe is really yummy, don't really know where it came from - my Mom made it for years and I just modified it by adding the crushed red pepper flakes. It's quick and easy - and even people that don't like broccoli, like this pasta recipe!

Yield: 6 servings

1 bunch broccoli; trimmed and cut into florets
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/2 cup butter, unsalted
6 large garlic clove; sliced paper thin
2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
1 lb orecchi or medium-size pasta shape; cooked

Cook broccoli to desired tenderness in lightly salted boiling water. RESERVE 1 CUP of BROCCOLI COOKING WATER. Drain remaining water from broccoli and cut into bite-size chunks; set aside.

In a medium size saucepan; heat olive oil over medium heat. Add garlic slices and stir until lightly and evenly browned. (At this point, you can remove and discard the garlic, but I always leave it in!) Add the butter, stirring until melted. Add red pepper flakes and simmer 3 minutes. Add the reserved broccoli water and simmer another minute. Turn off heat and stir in broccoli. Cover and set aside while cooking pasta.

Place cooked pasta into large bowl. Pour broccoli sauce over pasta. Toss to coat and serve with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and black pepper. YUM.