Penne with Broccoli

(9)
med102471_1106_penne_broc.jpg
Prep Time:
10 mins
Total Time:
20 mins
Servings:
1

A bowl of pasta topped with sweet red onion, crunchy broccoli, and creamy ricotta cheese is perfect after a long day at work.

Ingredients

  • Coarse salt

  • ¾ cup penne or other short pasta (2 ounces)

  • 1 cup broccoli florets

  • 1 teaspoon olive oil

  • ½ small red onion, cut lengthwise into ½-inch-thick slices

  • 1 garlic clove, thinly sliced

  • ¼ cup part-skim ricotta cheese, room temperature

Directions

  1. Bring a medium saucepan of salted water to a boil. Add penne, and cook 2 minutes less than package instructions for al dente; add broccoli. Cook 2 minutes or until penne is al dente and broccoli is bright green. Reserving 1/2 cup pasta water, drain pasta and broccoli; set aside.

  2. In the same pan, heat oil over medium. Add onion and garlic; cook, stirring constantly, until onion is tender and lightly browned, about 5 minutes. Add pasta water as needed to help loosen any browned bits from bottom of pan.

  3. Add penne and broccoli, and cook until warmed through; season with salt and pepper. Transfer pasta mixture to a serving dish. Top with ricotta; season with salt and pepper.

Cook's Notes

Just before the pasta has finished cooking, toss the broccoli into the pot: You won't have to boil more water, and they'll both be done at the same time.

Related Articles