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A bowl of broccoli pasta with anchovy breadcrumbs.

Broccoli Pasta Recipe with Anchovy Breadcrumbs

This broccoli pasta recipe with anchovy breadcrumbs is a great way to incorporate more vegetables into our diets. The "secret" to this quick, easy, and delicious pasta dish is cutting baby bud broccoli florets into even smaller pieces for more flavor in every bite.
5 from 1 vote
Servings 3 to 4
Calories 397 kcal
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes

Ingredients
  

For the Pasta

  • 8 ounces pasta (Note 1)
  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil divided (1 tablespoon + 1 tablespoon)
  • 12 ounces frozen baby bud broccoli florets barely thawed, and cut into smaller pieces
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • 3 garlic cloves peeled and sliced thinly
  • ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes or more to taste
  • Grated Pecorino Romano cheese

For the Breadcrumbs

  • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
  • ½ cup Panko breadcrumbs
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • 4 anchovy fillets roughly chopped

Instructions
 

  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, and cook the pasta according to the package's directions or to desired doneness. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water.
  • Meanwhile, heat the olive oil for the breadcrumbs in a small pan over medium-low heat. Add the Panko, garlic powder, and anchovies and cook, stirring often, until the Panko turns golden, 3-5 minutes. Set aside.
  • For the pasta, heat the butter and 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large pan over medium-low to medium heat. Add the broccoli and salt and cook until the broccoli gains color, 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  • When the broccoli is about halfway done, add the sliced garlic, red pepper flakes, and remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil. The garlic should be golden, not burnt, by the time the broccoli is done. Stir often. Remove the pan from the heat.
  • Toss the broccoli with the cooked pasta, moistening everything with some pasta water. Serve and top with the toasted Panko breadcrumbs, some Pecorino, and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil if desired. Enjoy!

Notes

Note 1: I recommended orecchiette, corkscrew, farfalle, or other similar short pasta.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 397kcal | Carbohydrates: 54g | Protein: 12g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 9g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 10mg | Sodium: 384mg | Potassium: 442mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 657IU | Vitamin C: 77mg | Calcium: 77mg | Iron: 2mg
Tried this recipe?Let me know how it was!