Broccoli pesto pasta with spicy crumbs sounds amazing! Here's a recipe that combines the rich, earthy flavor of broccoli pesto with a crunchy, spicy topping for a delightful dish.
Ingredients:
For the Broccoli Pesto:
- 1 large head of broccoli (about 4 cups florets)
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1/4 cup nuts (pine nuts, walnuts, or almonds)
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese (or nutritional yeast for a vegan version)
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- Juice of 1/2 lemon
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional: 1-2 tablespoons of nutritional yeast (for an extra savory flavor)
For the Spicy Crumbs:
- 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (adjust to your spice preference)
- 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
For the Pasta:
- 12 oz pasta of your choice (spaghetti, penne, or fusilli work great)
- Extra olive oil for tossing
Instructions:
1. Prepare the Broccoli Pesto:
- Blanch the broccoli: Bring a pot of water to a boil and add the broccoli florets. Cook for about 2-3 minutes, just until bright green and tender. Drain and set aside, reserving a little bit of the cooking water.
- Blend the pesto: In a food processor, combine the cooked broccoli, garlic, nuts, Parmesan, lemon juice, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Pulse until smooth. Gradually add olive oil while blending, and if needed, a little of the reserved broccoli water to reach your desired consistency. Taste and adjust with more salt, pepper, or lemon as needed.
2. Make the Spicy Crumbs:
- In a skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat.
- Add the panko breadcrumbs, red pepper flakes, and smoked paprika. Stir continuously until the breadcrumbs are golden and crispy (about 4-5 minutes).
- Season with salt and pepper, then remove from heat.
3. Cook the Pasta:
- While preparing the pesto and crumbs, cook the pasta according to package instructions. Once done, reserve 1/2 cup of pasta cooking water before draining the pasta.
4. Assemble the Dish:
- In the pot you cooked the pasta in, toss the pasta with the broccoli pesto. If it's too thick, add a splash of reserved pasta water until the sauce coats the pasta well.
- Drizzle a bit more olive oil if you want it extra rich.
5. Serve:
- Plate the pasta and top with the spicy breadcrumbs. Garnish with extra Parmesan or nutritional yeast if desired.
Enjoy your flavorful, crunchy, and creamy broccoli pesto pasta!
