Laurie Colwin's Broccoli Sauce for Pasta

Laurie Colwin's Broccoli Sauce for Pasta is the perfect side dish for just about main dish you serve it with! Fortunately, with frozen broccoli available year-round, this delicious offering will be a regular go-to. Let's see, broccoli along with pasta, and a sprinkle of cheese, who could ask for more?

While we often think of springtime for delicious fresh vegetables to reappear on our tables, but this pasta side dish can be made anytime. Laurie Colwin's Broccoli Sauce for Pasta is too good, to only make in the springtime with fresh broccoli! In our house broccoli is a favorite, but if you are not so lucky, this is the perfect way to get those who believe broccoli should be served less often, to give it a try! 

Broccoli that is overcooked is usually the broccoli no one wants to eat. One way to ensure that the broccoli you serve will be eaten and enjoyed is to cook it to a bright green and then let it steam, off the heat for another minute under a lid, it will be tender and delicious. 

I remember when I was a little girl, oh so many years ago, my mom told me if I ate my broccoli, I would be able to learn how to whistle. Each time she served broccoli I would go outside and sit on the porch and practice whistling. And then the next time broccoli was served, again, I headed to the porch after dinner and practiced whistling. This went on for a couple of years until I realized that no matter how hard I tried, I was not going to learn how to whistle... And while I still like broccoli, to this day I still cannot whistle!

While I no longer think about whistling, I do look for creative recipes calling for broccoli and trying every one of them. Bringing us to this delicious Broccoli Salad with a Curried Dressing, a crunchy blend of flavor, but light on the curry. As well as this creamy and delicious Broccoli and Cheddar Soup! I hope you give this delicious dish a try, because Laurie Colwin's Broccoli Sauce for Pasta is a keeper, just like the other broccoli recommendations.

Thoughts about this recipe:

While broccoli seems an unlikely choice for a pasta sauce, this is quite a delicious pasta dish!

If you are thinking this would be a great meatless entrée, you are right. I might also add a handful of toasted walnuts or pine nuts...

And lastly, this really is a great dish to serve to the broccoli haters, because who doesn't like pasta?

Ingredients needed for this recipe:

• broccoli
• garlic
• olive oil
• pasta
• Parmesan Cheese
• salt & pepper

You will also need the following:

• food processor
• sauté pan 
• serving dish

Now we are ready to begin!

Laurie Colwin's Broccoli Sauce for Pasta

Laurie Colwin's Broccoli Sauce for Pasta
adapted from: Home Cooking, a writer in the kitchen

Updated: 10.27.2021
                      
1 large head of broccoli OR 16 oz. package broccoli florets
2 cloves garlic
1/3 c olive oil, plus more for blending as needed
1/2 lemon

1/2 t salt or to taste
fresh ground pepper to taste
4 oz whole wheat penne  - or pasta of choice, cooked and kept warm
Parmesan cheese 

Cut the head of broccoli into florets, wash, place in the bottom of a shallow pan. Add 1/2 c water, cover, and cook until crisp-tender - do not overcook. 

Drain water, select and remove 5 florets, set aside for garnish. 

Add 1/3 c olive oil to the pan and sauté the broccoli and garlic until tender. 

Spoon into the food processor, including the oil from the pan.  Squeeze lemon into the processor, add 1/2 t salt, and fresh pepper to taste. 

Process until smooth, adding olive oil to make consistent for tossing with pasta. Taste and adjust seasoning to preference. 

Take the five florets, slice in half. Sauté in a small amount of olive oil, cut side down until golden brown. 

To serve, toss hot pasta with broccoli sauce and 1/2 c Parmesan cheese. 

Arrange in a serving platter, arranging sautéed florets over top. 

Sprinkle with additional cheese, and serve.

Storage options for Laurie Colwin's Broccoli Sauce for Pasta. Store covered in the refrigerator for up to three days. I do not recommend freezing for longer storage.

UPDATE:  For your convenience, a "copy and paste" version of Laurie Colwin's Broccoli Sauce for Pasta has been included below. 

#DIYHomemadeHousehold

#wholefoodingredients

Thanks for stopping by!

Hey you, don’t miss a post! Please consider following Scratch Made Food! & DIY Homemade Household. To follow by email, and/or by RSS feed, complete the application located on the right-hand side of the blog. Please Note, some posts may contain affiliate links, thank you for supporting Scratch Made Food! & DIY Homemade Household.

PS, friends, and family who love good food and household ideas might love us too! Tell them about us, and thanks for the referral!

You may also enjoy, Creative writing from the heart... stories of life, living, and family.

Printable "copy and paste" version:

Laurie Colwin's Broccoli Sauce for Pasta
adapted from: Home Cooking, a writer in the kitchen

Updated: 10.27.2021
                      
1 large head of broccoli OR 16 oz. package broccoli florets
2 cloves garlic
1/3 c olive oil, plus more for blending as needed
1/2 lemon

1/2 t salt or to taste
fresh ground pepper to taste
4 oz whole wheat penne  - or pasta of choice, cooked and kept warm
Parmesan cheese 

Cut the head of broccoli into florets, wash, place in the bottom of a shallow pan. Add 1/2 c water, cover, and cook until crisp-tender - do not overcook. 

Drain water, select and remove 5 florets, set aside for garnish. 

Add 1/3 c olive oil to the pan and sauté the broccoli and garlic until tender. 

Spoon into the food processor, including the oil from the pan.  Squeeze lemon into the processor, add 1/2 t salt, and fresh pepper to taste. 

Process until smooth, adding olive oil to make consistent for tossing with pasta. Taste and adjust seasoning to preference. 

Take the five florets, slice in half. Sauté in a small amount of olive oil, cut side down until golden brown. 

To serve, toss hot pasta with broccoli sauce and 1/2 c Parmesan cheese. 

Arrange in a serving platter, arranging sautéed florets over top.

Sprinkle with additional cheese, and serve.

Storage options for Laurie Colwin's Broccoli Sauce for Pasta. Store covered in the refrigerator for up to three days. I do not recommend freezing for longer storage.

~~~~