Garlic-Butter Pasta with Charred Broccoli and Crispy Breadcrumbs
Ingredients
- 1 poundbroccoli
- 12 ouncespasta (short shapes like penne or fusilli)
- 6 clovesgarlic
- 4 tablespoonsbutter
- ¼ teaspoonred pepper flakes
- ·salt
- ·black pepper
- ¾ cupparmesan cheese
- ½ cuppanko breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoonsolive oil
Prep
- 01
Chop broccoli into bite-sized florets.
- 02
Mince 6 cloves garlic.
Method
- 01
Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once shimmering, add panko breadcrumbs and toast for 2–3 minutes, stirring often, until golden and fragrant. Transfer to a small bowl and set aside.
- 02
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook according to package directions until just shy of al dente (about 1 minute under). Reserve 1 cup pasta water, then drain.
- 03
In the same skillet used for breadcrumbs, melt 4 tablespoons butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and red pepper flakes, stirring constantly for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- 04
Raise heat to medium-high. Add broccoli florets to the skillet and cook for 4–5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until broccoli is charred in spots and tender-crisp.
- 05
Add the drained pasta to the skillet and toss to coat with butter and garlic. Pour in 1/2 cup reserved pasta water and toss again. Taste and season with salt and black pepper.
- 06
Remove from heat. Stir in 1/2 cup parmesan cheese. If the pasta seems dry, add more pasta water 2 tablespoons at a time until it reaches a light, creamy consistency.
- 07
Divide into bowls and top with crispy breadcrumbs and remaining 1/4 cup parmesan cheese. Serve immediately.
Spice Tips
For more heat, increase red pepper flakes to 1/2 teaspoon or add a pinch of cayenne. A squeeze of fresh lemon juice at the end brightens the whole dish. If you like earthiness, a small handful of fresh thyme or sage leaves can be stirred in with the garlic.
The key to this dish is not overcooking the pasta — it finishes cooking in the skillet with the pasta water, so pull it a minute early. If you don't have panko, crushed crackers or toasted torn bread work too.