Prepare to transform your ordinary weeknight dinner into a culinary adventure that will tantalize your taste buds and impress even the most discerning food lovers! This Pasta with Broccolini, Preserved Lemon, and Chickpeas is not just a meal—it's a vibrant journey through Italian-inspired flavors that combines fresh, zesty ingredients with hearty, satisfying textures. In just 35 minutes, you'll create a restaurant-quality dish that's both nutritious and incredibly delicious.
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 20 mins
Total Time: 35 mins
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 8 oz pasta
- 1 bunch broccolini, trimmed
- 1 lemon, preserved and diced
- 1 can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Parmesan cheese for serving
Instructions
- Begin by bringing a large pot of salted water to a boil. Once boiling, add the pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, usually around 8-10 minutes. Reserve 1 cup of pasta cooking water before draining the pasta.
- While the pasta is cooking, prepare the broccolini. In a separate pot, bring water to a boil and blanch the trimmed broccolini for about 2-3 minutes until bright green and tender-crisp. Drain and immediately transfer the broccolini to an ice bath to stop the cooking process. Once cooled, drain again and set aside.
- In a large skillet, heat 3 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute, stirring frequently to prevent burning.
- Once the garlic is fragrant, add the drained and rinsed chickpeas to the skillet. Cook for about 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chickpeas are heated through and slightly crispy.
- Next, add the blanched broccolini and diced preserved lemon to the skillet. Stir well to combine, allowing the flavors to meld together for about 2-3 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Add the cooked pasta to the skillet along with a splash of the reserved pasta cooking water. Toss everything together gently, adding more pasta water as needed to create a light sauce that coats the pasta and vegetables.
- Once everything is well combined and heated through, remove the skillet from the heat. Serve the pasta in bowls, garnished with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and additional black pepper if desired.
- Enjoy your delicious Pasta with Broccolini, Preserved Lemon, and Chickpeas!
Tips
- Reserve your pasta water: The starchy liquid is liquid gold for creating a silky sauce that perfectly coats your pasta.
- Don't overcook the broccolini: Aim for that perfect tender-crisp texture by blanching briefly and shocking in ice water.
- Toast your chickpeas: Let them get slightly crispy in the skillet for added texture and nutty flavor.
- Use high-quality preserved lemon: It adds a unique, bright citrusy punch that elevates the entire dish.
- Grate fresh Parmesan just before serving: The freshly grated cheese melts beautifully and adds a rich, salty finish.Pro tip: This recipe is incredibly versatile—feel free to swap pasta types or add protein like grilled chicken for extra substance!
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 420kcal
Carbohydrates: 55g
Protein: 15g
Fat: 18g
Saturated Fat: 3g
Cholesterol: 5mg
