Pasta with Broccoli 

Growing up Italian, pastina was always on repeat in my house. Whether someone was sick, we needed a quick dinner, or my nonna wanted something comforting and simple, there was always a pot of tiny pasta on the stove. 

This broccoli pastina soup is one of those nourishing meals made from pantry staples, cozy, simple, and deeply nostalgic for my family and I. 

Ingredients

• 2 heads broccoli, chopped
  
• 2–3 tablespoon olive oil
  
• 2–3 cloves garlic, minced
  
• Salt and pepper, to taste
  
• Mini pasta noodles (like pastina or orzo)
  
• Reserved pasta water
  

Directions

1. Boil or steam broccoli until tender. Drain and set aside.
   
2. In a pan, heat olive oil over medium heat and sauté garlic until fragrant.
   
3. Add the cooked broccoli and mash with a fork or potato masher until small pieces remain.
   
4. Cook pasta according to package instructions.
   
5. Add pasta to the broccoli mixture. Pour in a few spoonfuls of pasta water (or vegetable broth) until desired soup consistency is reached.
   
6. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve warm.
   

Serving Suggestions

• Serve with grated Parmesan or a drizzle of olive oil.
  
• Pair with crusty bread or garlic toast.
  
• Top with a fried or poached egg for extra protein.
  

Variations

• Add cooked chicken, tofu, or beans for extra protein.
  
• Stir in spinach, kale, or peas for extra greens.
  
• Sprinkle with red pepper flakes or herbs like thyme or rosemary.
  

FAQ’s

More Pasta Recipes

• Sausage Pasta
• Pasta in Green Sauce

Recipe

Juliana Crimi, RD

Pasta with Broccoli

Growing up Italian, pastina was always on repeat in my house. Whether someone was sick, we needed a quick dinner, or my nonna wanted something comforting and simple, there was always a pot of tiny pasta on the stove.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 25 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Servings: 5 Servings

Course: dinner, lunch

Ingredients Equipment Method

Ingredients

  

• 2 heads broccoli chopped
• 2 –3 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 –3 cloves garlic minced
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Mini pasta noodles like pastina or orzo
• Reserved pasta water

Equipment

• Fying pan
• Large pot
• Mixing spoons

Method

 

1. Boil or steam broccoli until tender. Drain and set aside.
2. In a pan, heat olive oil over medium heat and sauté garlic until fragrant.
3. Add the cooked broccoli and mash with a fork or potato masher until small pieces remain.
4. Cook pasta according to package instructions.
5. Add pasta to the broccoli mixture. Pour in a few spoonfuls of pasta water (or vegetable broth) until desired soup consistency is reached.
6. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve warm.