This sun-dried tomato and broccolini pasta is not only quick/easy to make, but full of flavor. An easy vegetarian pasta recipe that is perfect for the weeknights.
Unfortunately, eating a ton of carbs always make me feel overly full and not so great after eating them. I’ve tried a bunch of pasta substitutes that were ok, but not great. I finally found a gluten free option that actually tasted good and that my household loved too. It’s made from chickpea’s and it is full of protein and fiber.
This dish came about randomly. I had broccolini, spinach, and sun-dried tomatoes laying around so I figured why not throw all of this together? Fast forward about 6 months and we have this almost once a week, usually as our “meatless Monday” meal. All the flavors go together so well and guess what? Its ready in under 30 minutes, who doesn’t love fast and delicious meal?
If you don’t have spinach on hand, I have made this meal many times with arugula too! Along with the spinach substitution, I have also used all types of pasta shapes (if you’re paying attention to the different photos in this post haha).
Once I add the pasta back in, I grated some parmesan cheese over the top. I reserve a little bit of pasta water to add to the dish. This allows the cheese to cling to the pasta and also make a “sauce”. The starch in the pasta water helps thicken all the liquid.
Stir everything together and top with crushed red pepper flakes.
I hope you enjoy this sun-dried tomato broccolini pasta!
Things you’ll need: Pasta pot, dutch oven or high walled skillet
Sun-dried Tomato Broccolini Pasta
Ingredients
- 8 ounces gluten-free pasta or pasta of choice
- 3-4 cloves garlic minced
- ¼ cup sun-dried tomatoes in oil
- 5 ounces baby spinach about 3cups
- 1 bunch broccolini stems trimmed
- 6 tablespoons olive oil divided
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
- 2 teaspoons crushed red pepper
- 3 tablespoons Parmesan cheese + more for serving
- ¼ cup reserved pasta water
Instructions
- Bring salted water to a boil in a pot. Cook pasta to al dente (according to package instructions), before draining reserve ¼ a cup of the pasta water and place to the side. Drain pasta, rinse (see note), and set aside.
- While pasta is cooking. In a Dutch oven or skillet with high sides, over medium heat add 3 tbsp of olive oil. Add minced garlic and cook until fragrant about 1 minute.
- Add broccolini, sun dried tomatoes, and salt/pepper. Cook for 3-5 minutes until it begins to soften (can cover with lid to assist). Add spinach and add 2 tbsp more olive oil to help spinach wilt.
- Once spinach has wilted (about 3-4 min) add rinsed Banza pasta in. Add Parmesan cheese to the pasta and add a few tablespoons of the pasta water to help thin the cheese for it to coat the pasta. If you do not have Parmesan cheese you can omit the pasta water.
- Top with crushed red pepper and serve.
Notes
- When using chickpea pasta I do not follow the cook time of 9 minutes, I only cook for 7 minutes. Also, I do not typically rinse pasta, but I do rinse chickpea pasta after cooking. If using regular pasta, no need to rinse.
- Add a little of reserved pasta water to help thin cheese and help it coat the pasta
John
I made this last night and it was great. I first sliced chicken breast in half and dredged them in flour (salt and pepper) and pan cooked them in olive oil and a little butter. After cooked through and well browned, I set them aside. In the same pan, I added a bit more olive oil, chopped shallots and the garlic and cooked for a few mins, then deglazed the pan with chicken stock (white wine would also be good). Then I threw in the rest of the vegetables and seasoned with salt and pepper. When almost done I added some additional chicken stock to sauce it up, then added the pasta and combined for several mins. After turning off the heat I I added a couple teaspoons of butter, folded in arugula, red pepper flakes, and then the cheese. Finally I squeezed 1/2 a lemon over everything to brighten it up. Served it all together and poured a bit of the sauce over the chicken.
My takeaway is that the residual flour from cooking the chicken first helps thicken the sauce along with the butter at the end and the deglazed brown from the pan added amped up flavor.
Mo
This was super delicious! I added spicy chicken sausage & it turned out great!
Stephanie
Such a great idea to add spicy chicken sausage! Glad you enjoyed it.
Natasha
This dish is absolutely amazing. Not only is it simple and healthy it is absolutely delicious. This dish has become a weekly staple in my house and we sometimes eat it twice a week. I add grilled chicken to mine and it gives it that extra special touch! So glad I was able to incorporate a healthy, satisfying, and quick meal into my busy Life. thank you Girl with the iron cast for introducing meals that REAL people can and want to make!