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
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PrintSun-dried Tomato Broccolini Pasta
This sun dried tomato and broccolini pasta is my go-to quick weeknight meal that delivers on flavor. Using gluten free pasta to lighten it up too!
- Prep Time: 5
- Cook Time: 15
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Pasta
Ingredients
- Banza gluten-free pasta, 1 box (8oz)
- 3–4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup of sun-dried tomatoes in oil
- 5oz of baby spinach (about 3cups)
- 1 bunch of broccolini, stems trimmed
- 3 tbsp olive oil + 3 tbsp
- 1/2 tsp of salt
- 1/4 tsp fresh ground black pepper
- 2 tsp crushed red pepper
- 3 tbsp Parmesan cheese + more for serving
- Reserve 1/4 cup of pasta water
Instructions
- Cook pasta to al dente in a pot (about 7 minutes for chickpea penne), before draining reserve 1/4 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 Banza 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.
- Add a little of reserved pasta water to help thin cheese and help it coat the pasta
Keywords: gluten-free, pasta, broccolini, spinach, sun dried tomatoes, chickpea pasta
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!
★★★★★