Orecchiette with Cannellini and Broccoli

Savor the perfect harmony of flavors in this Orecchiette with Cannellini and Broccoli recipe, a wholesome and satisfying pasta dish that's as nourishing as it is delicious. Featuring tender orecchiette pasta, crisp broccoli florets, and creamy cannellini beans infused with fragrant garlic and a hint of spice from red pepper flakes, this recipe offers a delightful combination of textures and robust Mediterranean-inspired flavors. A touch of lemon zest and juice adds brightness, while freshly grated Parmesan cheese lends a savory finish. Ready in just 35 minutes, this vegetarian dish is ideal for busy weeknights yet elegant enough for entertaining. Serve it with a drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil for a hearty, healthful meal the whole family will love. Perfect keywords like "quick vegetarian pasta recipe," "orecchiette with beans," and "broccoli pasta dinner" make this dish a standout on your table and your search engine results!

Nutriscore Rating: 79/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:20 mins

Total Time:35 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 12 ounces Orecchiette pasta
• 3 cups Broccoli florets
• 15 ounces Cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
• 4 tablespoons Extra-virgin olive oil
• 4 Garlic cloves, minced
• 0.5 teaspoons Red pepper flakes
• 0.5 cups Parmesan cheese, grated
• 1 Lemon, zested and juiced
• 0 to taste Salt
• 0 to taste Black pepper

Directions

Step 1

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the orecchiette pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water, then drain the pasta and set aside.

Step 2

While the pasta cooks, steam or blanch the broccoli florets in a small pot of boiling water for 3-4 minutes, until bright green and tender but still slightly crisp. Drain and set aside.

Step 3

In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes, cooking until fragrant, about 1 minute. Be careful not to let the garlic burn.

Step 4

Add the cannellini beans to the skillet, stirring to coat them in the garlic oil. Cook for 2-3 minutes, gently mashing some of the beans to create a creamy texture.

Step 5

Toss the cooked broccoli into the skillet with the beans and stir to combine. Add a pinch of salt and black pepper to taste.

Step 6

Add the drained orecchiette to the skillet, along with the reserved pasta water, 1/4 cup at a time, to loosen the sauce and help it coat the pasta evenly.

Step 7

Stir in the lemon zest and juice, then adjust the seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.

Step 8

Serve the pasta immediately, garnished with grated Parmesan cheese and a drizzle of olive oil, if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1211.9g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2321.0

Total Fat 74.2g	0%
Saturated Fat 15.9g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat g
Cholesterol 40mg	0%
Sodium 3159.1mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 338.9g	0%
Dietary Fiber 35.2g	0%
Total Sugars 12.9g
Protein 92.9g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 1053.6mg	0%
Iron 21.4mg	0%
Potassium 1913.9mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 27.9%

Protein: 15.5%

Carbs: 56.6%