Imagine twirling your fork into a plate of perfectly cooked pasta, where each bite bursts with the crisp freshness of broccoli and snow peas, dancing with aromatic garlic and a hint of spicy red pepper. This Italian-inspired dish isn't just a meal—it's a culinary adventure that promises to tantalize your taste buds and elevate your weeknight cooking from ordinary to extraordinary. In just 25 minutes, you'll create a restaurant-worthy pasta that's both nutritious and incredibly delicious!
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 15 mins
Total Time: 25 mins
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- Pasta (fettuccine or linguine)
- Broccoli florets
- Snow peas
- Olive oil
- Garlic
- Red pepper flakes
- Salt
- Pepper
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add enough salt to make the water taste like seawater, approximately 1-2 tablespoons.
- While water is heating, wash and prepare the vegetables. Cut broccoli into small, bite-sized florets. Trim the ends of snow peas and slice them diagonally into 1-inch pieces.
- Add fettuccine or linguine to boiling water and cook according to package instructions until al dente, typically 8-10 minutes.
- During the last 3 minutes of pasta cooking, add broccoli florets and snow peas directly to the same pot to blanch them alongside the pasta.
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Mince garlic finely and add to the oil, sautéing until fragrant and just turning golden, about 1-2 minutes.
- Sprinkle red pepper flakes into the skillet and stir briefly to release their aromatic oils.
- Drain the pasta and vegetables, reserving about 1/2 cup of pasta water. Transfer pasta and vegetables to the skillet with garlic and red pepper flakes.
- Toss everything together, adding a splash of reserved pasta water to help create a light sauce. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
- Serve immediately in warm pasta bowls, drizzling with additional olive oil if desired. Optional: garnish with grated Parmesan cheese or fresh herbs.
Tips
- Salt is Your Secret Weapon: Make your pasta water as salty as the sea—this is your first chance to build flavor from the ground up.
- One-Pot Magic: By adding vegetables directly to the pasta water, you save time and preserve nutrients while creating a seamless cooking process.
- Pasta Water is Liquid Gold: Always reserve some starchy cooking water. It helps create a silky sauce that clings perfectly to your pasta.
- Timing is Everything: Add delicate vegetables like snow peas in the last few minutes of cooking to maintain their vibrant color and crisp texture.
- Customize Your Dish: Feel free to swap fettuccine with linguine, or add protein like grilled chicken or shrimp for a more substantial meal.
- Fresh is Best: Use fresh garlic and high-quality olive oil to elevate the dish's overall flavor profile.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 397kcal
Carbohydrates: g
Protein: 13g
Fat: g
Saturated Fat: g
Cholesterol: 0mg
