Broccoli Orecchiette Recipe

Introduction

This Broccoli Orecchiette recipe combines tender pasta with crispy bacon and a creamy, mildly spicy sauce. It’s a comforting dish that comes together quickly, perfect for a satisfying weeknight meal.

Ingredients

• 8 ½ ounces orecchiette
• Salt, to taste
• 1 small broccoli head, chopped into bite-sized pieces
• 7 ounces bacon bits
• 1 brown onion, diced
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 1 tbsp tomato paste
• 2 tbsp gochujang paste (adjust to taste)
• 1 ½ cups heavy cream
• Freshly ground black pepper, for serving

Instructions

1. Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat.
2. Step 2: While waiting, dice the onion and mince the garlic. Remove the broccoli stem, break the head into florets, and chop into bite-sized pieces.
3. Step 3: Add the orecchiette to the boiling water and cook for 3 minutes less than the package instructions indicate.
4. Step 4: Add the broccoli florets to the pot and boil everything together for an additional 3 minutes.
5. Step 5: While the pasta cooks, heat a skillet over high heat and cook the bacon bits until crispy.
6. Step 6: Add the diced onion and minced garlic to the skillet and cook for 2 minutes until fragrant.
7. Step 7: Stir in the dried thyme, tomato paste, and gochujang paste. Pour in the heavy cream and bring the mixture to a simmer. Then reduce heat to low.
8. Step 8: Drain the pasta and broccoli, reserving ½ cup of the cooking water.
9. Step 9: Add the pasta, broccoli, and a splash of reserved cooking water to the sauce. Toss well to coat.
10. Step 10: Taste and add salt as needed. Finish with freshly ground black pepper and serve immediately.

Tips & Variations

• For a vegetarian version, omit the bacon and sauté mushrooms or sun-dried tomatoes instead.
• If you prefer less heat, reduce the gochujang paste or substitute with mild chili paste.
• Using fresh thyme instead of dried enhances the aroma if available.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat gently in a skillet over low heat, adding a splash of cream or water to loosen the sauce.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use another type of pasta?

Yes, any small pasta like penne, rigatoni, or farfalle works well with this sauce.

Is gochujang paste spicy?

Gochujang has a mild to moderate heat with a sweet and savory flavor. Adjust the amount to match your preferred spice level.

Broccoli Orecchiette Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.6 from 101 reviews

A flavorful Broccoli Orecchiette pasta dish combining tender broccoli florets, crispy bacon bits, and a creamy, spicy sauce made with gochujang paste and tomato paste. This comforting meal is easy to prepare on the stovetop and perfect for a delicious weeknight dinner.

• Author: liam
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: Italian-Korean Fusion

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Pasta and Vegetables

• 8 ½ ounces orecchiette
• Salt – to taste
• 1 small broccoli head, chopped into bite-sized pieces

Sauce and Seasoning

• 7 ounces bacon bits
• 1 brown onion, diced
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 1 tbsp tomato paste
• 2 tbsp gochujang paste (adjust to taste)
• 1 ½ cups heavy cream
• Freshly ground black pepper – for serving

Instructions

1. Boil Water and Prep Ingredients: Set a large pot with salted water over high heat and bring to a boil. While waiting, dice the onion and mince the garlic cloves. Remove the stem from the broccoli, break the head into florets, and chop the florets into bite-sized pieces.
2. Cook Orecchiette and Broccoli: Add orecchiette to the boiling water and cook for 3 minutes less than package instructions. Then add broccoli florets to the boiling pasta and cook for an additional 3 minutes until tender but still firm.
3. Cook Bacon and Aromatics: Heat a skillet over high heat and add bacon bits. Cook them until they become crispy. Add diced onion and minced garlic to the skillet and cook for about 2 minutes until softened and fragrant.
4. Make the Sauce: Stir in dried thyme, tomato paste, and gochujang paste into the skillet with bacon, onion, and garlic. Pour in heavy cream and bring the mixture to a simmer. Then reduce the heat to low to keep it warm.
5. Combine Pasta and Sauce: Drain the orecchiette and broccoli, reserving ½ cup of the cooking water. Add the pasta and broccoli to the skillet with the sauce along with a splash of the reserved cooking water. Toss everything together to coat evenly. Adjust salt to taste.
6. Serve: Finish with freshly ground black pepper and serve immediately for best flavor and texture. Enjoy your delicious Broccoli Orecchiette!

Notes

• Reserve some pasta cooking water to help loosen the sauce and ensure it coats the pasta smoothly.
• Adjust the amount of gochujang paste if you prefer a milder or spicier dish.
• You can substitute bacon bits with pancetta or a vegetarian alternative if preferred.
• To make this dish slightly lighter, use half-and-half instead of heavy cream.

Keywords: Broccoli Orecchiette, creamy pasta, bacon pasta, gochujang pasta, Italian pasta, easy dinner, stovetop recipe, spicy cream sauce