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Sunday, January 7, 2024

Laurie Colwin's Broccoli Sauce for Pasta

Laurie Colwin's Broccoli Sauce for Pasta is the perfect side dish for just about any 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 now, broccoli along with pasta, and a sprinkle of cheese, who could ask for more?


You don't have to wait for spring to enjoy this delightful pasta dish!

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 like Brussels sprouts need just a quick cooking time to keep it sweet and delicious.

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. And done before you know it!


I remember as a little girl, oh so many years ago, my mom told me if I ate my broccoli, I could learn how to whistle. 

Each time she served broccoli I would go outside, sit on the back porch and practice whistling. With little or no success! And then the next time broccoli was served, yes, again, I headed to the porch to give it another go! This went on for a couple of years until I realized that no matter how much broccoli I ate, or how hard I tried, I was not going to learn how to whistle... And while I still like broccoli, to this very still, I cannot whistle!

With whistling out of the way, it's all about recipes!

While I no longer think about whistling, I do look for creative recipes calling for broccoli and trying every one of them. Which brings us to sharing these ideas, such as 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! And while they are delicious, I hope you give this pasta 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? And you can always tell them later, it was broccoli...


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: 01.07.2024
                      
1 large head of broccoli OR 16 oz. package frozen 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. 


How to get everyone to eat more broccoli, Laurie Colwin's Broccoli Sauce for Pasta.

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. 

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Recipe featured at: 
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Scratch Made Food! & DIY Homemade Household featured at What's for Dinner Link-up and Blog Hop. 

Scratch Made Food! & DIY Homemade Household featured at Will Blog for Comments at Photos and Treasures Link-up and Blog Hop.
Scratch Made Food! & DIY Homemade Household featured at Will Blog for Comments at Photos and Treasures Link-up and Blog Hop. 

Scratch Made Food! & DIY Homemade Household featured at The Hearth and Soul Link Party.
Scratch Made Food! & DIY Homemade Household featured at The Hearth and Soul Link Party. 



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Printable "copy and paste" version:

Laurie Colwin's Broccoli Sauce for Pasta
adapted from: Home Cooking, a writer in the kitchen
UPDATE: 01.07.2024
                      
1 large head of broccoli OR 16 oz. package frozen 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.

~~~~ 

Would you like to comment?

  1. I love, love, love Laurie Colwin's books -- her fiction and her food writing. Congrats on the new blog! Looks like you're going to have lots of fun cooking and posting about food!

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    Replies
    1. Thank you! I am definitely in the Laurie Colwin fan camp! I am searching for a hard back edition of one of her books right now!

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  2. This sounds like the perfect recipe for my husband who dislikes eating broccoli, but needs his veggies. Puree his broccoli! I'm visiting from Hearth and Soul.

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    Replies
    1. Thank you! It is quite good, and perfect for springtime when we are all looking forward to lighter meals. Thanks for dropping by!

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  3. I love the name of your blog! I'm a "real food" person all the way. AND I'm happy to see a Laurie Colwin recipe. She was wonderful and died far too soon.

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    1. Thank you so much! I agree, Laurie Colwin is very missed in the cooking world. I hope to share more of her recipes!

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  4. I too am a huge Laurie Colwin fan. This sounds delicious! Love the new title too.

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    1. Thank you, I am excited about this new adventure! PS the broccoli sauce is really good!

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  5. I make a lot of recipes with broccoli, but I never thought to use it over pasta! Love the idea and thanks for the recipe...

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  6. I always look for signs of spring like that too! We'v'e got some buds and blossoms on our trees as well. Your Broccoli Sauce looks wonderful. I must read Laurie Colwin. I have heard so much about her story and her books. Your version of her broccoli sauce looks delicious, and very wholesome too. Thank you so much for being a part of the Hearth and Soul Link Party Community.

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  7. Broccoli is probably my favourite vegetable, but I have never had it this way..

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    Replies
    1. This recipe caught my eye because as a child Mom told us if we ate our broccoli, we would learn to whistle...but as we all know, there is a lacking of truth there! I still like broccoli 55 years later, but I still can't whistle...

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    2. That is too funny! It is not something often said...thank you for this update!

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  8. This is a great weekday dinner, thansk for posting the recipe.

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  9. This is a great recipe that I would love to try! Thanks so much for sharing with us at Full Plate Thursday,475 your post looks great. Happy St. Patrick's Day and come back to see us soon!
    Miz Helen

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  10. This sounds good! Visiting from the encouraging hearts and home linkup.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Lauren! I hope you enjoy this delicious (and unique) side dish!

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  11. I appreciate you sharing this recipe, Laurie.
    ~Lisa, Visiting from Grammy's Grid

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  12. Melynda, I'm a Laurie Colwin fan from way back, but I've never tried this recipe. Thank you for your inspiring post. This is going right to the top of my must-try list.

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    Replies
    1. Jean, thank you! I look forward to posting more of her recipes, we really enjoyed this one!

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  13. I love broccoli and I make this sauce often. It really is delicious!

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    Replies
    1. Pat, thanks for stopping by, I appreciate your kind comment! I have her cookbooks and novels, she is a favorite of mine.

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  14. Replies
    1. Right!? To this day, still my whistler is out of order...

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  15. I love broccoli! I can't wait to make this!!

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    Replies
    1. We loved it, I hope you enjoy it also. Thanks for stopping by, I appreciate it!

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  16. This is almost like a pesto - what a great way to get family to eat broccoli! Thanks for sharing at the Meatless Monday linky!

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    Replies
    1. Helen, you are welcome! I have enjoyed this new link party and look forward to see what other share for new meal inspiration.

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  17. Ha--what a clever mom. :) This sounds like a wonderful recipe! Visiting from Senior Salon Pit Stop.

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    1. Melynda, thanks for sharing this post at the Will Blog for Comments #20 linkup. I hope to see you there next week, too, sharing more posts (old or new!).

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  18. I like that you sautéed the broccoli. It is almost a broccoli pesto. Yum! Bernadette, https://newclassicrecipe.com

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    1. Bernadette, broccoli is not something I would have thought of for a pasta sauce, but it was a complete surprise when I made it! Thanks for stopping by, I appreciate it.

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  19. I'm always up for pasta but this looks like a nice change when it comes to a sauce.

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    1. Reidland Family, it is! Thanks for stopping by, I appreciate it.

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  20. I love broccoli any way I can have it!

    Thanks for sharing with Weekend Cooking.

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  21. we don't eat pasta but love broccoli! and brussels sprouts. I think i have laurie colwin's book! Happy new year.

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    1. Sherry, I have both of her books, and I am enjoying them so much. I cook one of her recipes as often as possible. Thanks for stopping by, I appreciate it.

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  22. Congratulations! This post was a featured favorite at the Will Blog for Comments #20 linkup! It will be in the spotlight all next week, starting today. You're welcome to copy the "this blog post was a featured favorite" image there to share with your readers here, if you like. Thank you for sharing your posts with us! See you next week. :)

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  23. Replies
    1. Joanne, it is delicious, and a fun way to get some broccoli on the table!

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  24. I love pasta dishes and this is going to be on my list of go to's. Lol.
    I appreciate you sharing this recipe with Sweet Tea & Friends this month.

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    1. Paula this recipe is fun to share with all the anti-broccoli folks, they just might change their minds! Thanks for a great link party and letting me share with all your readers.

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  25. I love broccoli and am always looking for an alternative sauce for the red sauce to put on our pasta. This is the sauce I have been looking forever for!! Thanks for this yummy recipe post! PS your whistling story is so cute!!

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    1. Lof2 thanks so much for stopping by, I appreciate it. I love this sauce as well, my goal is to cook all of her recipes as I am quite a fan.

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