"Really the easiest pasta dish, 15 minute rigatoni with basil, olive oil and broccoli. An indulgent dinner fix, this basil oil pasta will blow your mind. Uses mostly pantry staple ingredients and is ideal for any day of the week.
We use a mix of fresh basil and parsley for this delicious pasta-hugging sauce of our dreams. Garlic, lemon juice, extra virgin olive oil and cracked black pepper bring the flavor. The whole pasta is smoothed out with some reserved pasta cooking water.
We serve this goodness with broccoli, salty capers and toasted sunflower seeds. For a nice crunchy bite, the broccoli is quickly blanched in boiling pasta. Extra drizzles of good olive oil and chili flakes are highly recommended. I served this pasta with a lettuce salad and a simple honey lemon dressing. Because more green is always a good thing. But just a giant bowl of this pasta eaten outside is pretty great on its own."
15 minute Broccoli Pasta with Basil Oil
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Prep time 5mins
Cook time 15mins
Serves or Makes: 2
Recipe Card
ingredients
- 8 ounces rigatoni
- 1/2 broccoli, cut into small florets
- 8 ounces parsley leaves
- large handful basil leaves
- 2 fluid ounce extra virgin olive oil
- 1 clove garlic
- 2 tablespoon lemon juice
- sea salt + cracked black pepper
- 1 ounce grated parmezan
- 2 tablespoons capers
- 1/2 teaspoon chili flakes
- 4 tablespoons sunflower seeds
Method
Step 1
Boil the pasta in salted water. 3 minutes before the pasta will be al dente, add the broccoli florets. Drain, reserving 1/4 cup of the cooking water.
Step 2
While the pasta is boiling. Add basil, parsley, olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, salt and pepper to a foodprocessor. Blend the mixture until you have a slightly chunky paste. Don’t overmix. Adjust the seasoning if necessary and set aside.
Step 3
Heat a skillet on a medium heat and toast the sunflower seeds until lightly browned and fragrant, stirring occasionally, about 2-3 minutes.
Step 4
Add the drained pasta to the pot together with the broccoli, basil oil sauce, toasted sunflower seeds, capers and a big splash of the reserved cooking water. Season the pasta with chili flakes, salt and pepper and then stir. Serve with grated parmesan. Enjoy!