Imagine a pasta dish that transforms humble ingredients into a culinary masterpiece - where smoky charred broccoli meets spicy chilli and creamy goats cheese in a symphony of flavors. This isn't just another pasta recipe; it's a quick, easy, and absolutely irresistible meal that will elevate your weeknight cooking from ordinary to extraordinary. In just 25 minutes, you'll create a restaurant-worthy dish that looks impressive, tastes incredible, and will have everyone asking for seconds!
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 15 mins
Total Time: 25 mins
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 300g pasta
- 1 head of broccoli
- 1 red chilli
- 150g goats cheese
- 2 cloves garlic
- Olive oil
- Salt and pepper
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. While waiting, prepare your ingredients: cut the broccoli into small florets, finely chop the red chilli and garlic, and crumble the goats cheese.
- Heat a large skillet or griddle pan over high heat. Toss broccoli florets with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Char the broccoli in batches, turning occasionally, until edges are dark and crispy (about 4-5 minutes). Remove and set aside.
- Cook the pasta in the boiling water according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
- In the same skillet used for charring broccoli, add a splash of olive oil. Sauté chopped garlic and chilli over medium heat until fragrant, about 1-2 minutes.
- Add drained pasta to the skillet, along with charred broccoli. Toss everything together, adding reserved pasta water as needed to create a light sauce.
- Remove from heat and crumble goats cheese over the pasta. Gently mix so the cheese slightly melts but doesn't completely break down.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Drizzle with additional olive oil if desired.
- Serve immediately in warm bowls, garnishing with extra chilli or fresh herbs if preferred.
Tips
- High Heat is Key: For perfect charring, ensure your skillet or griddle pan is blazing hot before adding broccoli. This creates those delicious crispy edges.
- Don't Overcrowd: Char broccoli in batches to ensure each floret gets proper caramelization. Overcrowding will steam instead of char.
- Reserved Pasta Water Magic: Always save some pasta water - its starchy goodness helps create a silky sauce that clings perfectly to your pasta.
- Goats Cheese Technique: Add cheese off the heat and mix gently to keep some texture while allowing it to slightly melt.
- Customize Your Heat: Adjust the amount of chilli to suit your spice tolerance - more for heat lovers, less for those who prefer mild flavors.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 489kcal
Carbohydrates: g
Protein: g
Fat: g
Saturated Fat: g
Cholesterol: 30mg
