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Roasted Broccoli Pesto Pasta Recipe

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4.1 from 21 reviews

A quick and delicious Roasted Broccoli Pesto Pasta recipe that combines oven-roasted broccoli with a vibrant homemade broccoli pesto, tossed with perfectly cooked penne pasta. This flavorful dish comes together in just 17 minutes and is perfect for a healthy weeknight dinner.

  • Total Time: 17 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients

For the Broccoli

  • 1 pound small to medium broccoli florets
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

For the Pesto

  • 1 cup roasted broccoli (from the prepared florets)
  • 2 garlic cloves
  • 1/4 cup toasted pine nuts
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (plus more for serving)
  • Juice of 1 lemon
  • 1/2 cup olive oil

For the Pasta

  • 8 ounces penne pasta

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit to prepare for roasting the broccoli, which will give it a nice crisp-tender texture and enhance its flavor.
  2. Prepare Broccoli: Toss the broccoli florets with 1 tablespoon of olive oil, kosher salt, and black pepper evenly to coat. Spread them out in a single layer on a sheet pan to ensure even roasting.
  3. Roast Broccoli: Roast the broccoli in the oven for about 10-12 minutes until it is crisp-tender and the edges start to brown, which adds depth to the flavor.
  4. Make Pesto: Take 1 cup of the roasted broccoli and finely chop it in a food processor or blender, along with garlic cloves, toasted pine nuts, grated Parmesan, and lemon juice. With the motor running, slowly pour in 1/2 cup olive oil through the feeder tube and process until the mixture is smooth and fully combined.
  5. Cook Pasta: Boil the penne pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Before draining, reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water to adjust the pesto consistency later.
  6. Combine Pasta and Pesto: In a large bowl, stir the prepared broccoli pesto into the cooked pasta. Then fold in the remaining roasted broccoli florets. Add some reserved pasta water as needed to help the pesto evenly coat the noodles, but use only as much as necessary.
  7. Serve: Divide the pasta into serving bowls or plates and top with additional grated Parmesan cheese for extra flavor as desired.

Notes

  • For a nuttier flavor, lightly toast the pine nuts before adding them to the pesto.
  • You can substitute Parmesan with a vegetarian alternative if desired.
  • If you prefer a smoother pesto, blend a bit longer until fully creamy.
  • This recipe is easily adjustable for portion size; just maintain the broccoli to pasta ratio.
  • Reserve some pasta cooking water to ensure the pesto coats the pasta well without drying out.
  • Author: Julia
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 12 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Roasting
  • Cuisine: Italian
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Find it online: https://omgmakethis.com/roasted-broccoli-pesto-pasta-recipe/