The only way this Spaghetti with Broccoli and Toasted Bread Crumbs could be more comforting is if it were served with a side of hugs.
With snow whipping and roads not yet salted, the day can instantly take on a pleasing sheen when the pantry is well-stocked.
No need to brave the elements when you’ve spent time preparing for moments like this.
It doesn’t take much to create a meal that comforts and sustains, especially when there’s a box or two of pasta in the cupboard.
If you peeked into my pantry you’d see tins of tomatoes and boxes of pasta, crushed red peppers and olives, garbanzo beans and tuna, nuts and seeds. There are random containers of corn for popping, a half consumed bag of our favorite peanut brittle, jugs of olive oil, various vinegars, sacks of potatoes, sweet onions, bread crumbs and cereal.
Other cabinets hold miscellaneous items plus ingredients for baking, and my counter sports ceramic bowls for cradling baby shallots and plump heads of garlic. (Yes, my garlic is cradled. Isn’t everyone’s?)
I threw this dish together in no time, making it one that’s easy to visit again and again. Yes, I could eat this every day! Between the crunch of the toasty bread crumbs, the sweetness of the fried garlic, and the spice of the red pepper – spaghetti and broccoli never tasted so good!
INGREDIENTS:
- thin spaghetti
- sea salt
- broccoli
- olive oil
- garlic cloves
- dried chili flakes
- seasoned Panko bread crumbs
- Parmigiano Reggiano
With just a few pantry items, and some fresh vegetables on hand, you’re on your way to a warm and hearty meal in minutes!
Spaghetti with broccoli and spicy toasted bread crumbs? Fuggedaboudit!
Question: What pantry items can you never be without? I’d love to know!
Buon Appetito!
MORE PASTA TO WARM US:
Orzo with Sun-Dried Tomatoes, Chickpeas & Herbs
Hearty Three Cheese Mac & Cheese Italian-Style
Pappardelle with Lemony Swiss Chard Pesto with Pecorino & Pine Nuts
Spaghetti with Broccoli and Toasted Bread Crumbs
Description
The only way this Spaghetti with Broccoli and Toasted Bread Crumbs could be any more comforting is if it were served with a side of hugs.
Ingredients
1 lb. thin spaghetti
sea salt
1 large head of broccoli, cut into florets
1/2 cup olive oil
4 plump garlic cloves, finely chopped
1 tsp. dried chili flakes
1 cup seasoned Panko bread crumbs
Parmigiano Reggiano
Instructions
In a large pot of salted boiling water, blanch the broccoli. Add broccoli to the pot for a couple of minutes, then remove and immediately place in cold water – this will stop the cooking and retain the bright green color. Remove from cold water and set aside.
Next, in a large pot of salted boiling water, prepare the pasta according to package directions minus one minute boiling time. (No soggy pasta for us!)
While the pasta is cooking, heat the olive oil in a large skillet. Add the minced garlic and chili flakes. Cook for 1 minute, then add the breadcrumbs.
Fry, stirring constantly for another minute. Get the bread crumbs crunchy and golden.
Add the broccoli and stir for another minute or so, until heated through.
Using an oversized slotted spoon, lift the pasta out of the water and add to the skillet along with a splash of the pasta water.
Mix the ingredients together.
Fry everything for another minute, top with a generous grate of Parmigiano Reggiano, and serve immediately.
Perfection. I love everything about this dish. Glad you included chile pepper flakes as well. Need that spice in there!
The spice sure does make a difference! Thanks, Mimi!!
I really think I should start cradling my garlic, ha! This dinner looks sooo good. A perfect pantry staple meal! Spaghetti is always a hit with us 🙂
Yes – we must take care of our garlic! 😉 Thanks, friend!
Spaghetti = comfort food, delicious and satisfying in my book. I love how easy and yummy this meal is — perfect weeknight dinner. Love the fact that you added breadcrumbs too.
Thank you, Anu! It’s all about the comfort these days!
I love this style of super flavorful, super easy meals – especially for busy weeknights. Love the crunchy addition of breadcrumbs too.
The only way to eat! Thank you, Marissa!!
Such simple pasta recipes are always the best! Thanks for this wonderful recipe – pinned 🙂
Hi Evi, I couldn’t agree more! Thank you! 🙂
I love all recipes that you share, this sounds so good and easy! Will definitely try 🙂
You’re so sweet, Manali! Thank you, my dear! 🙂
Love your pasta dishes and can’t wait to try this one! Looks delicious! Pinned!
Thank you, Mira! Enjoy!
Love those toasted breadcrumbs!! I’m pretty much always in the mood for spaghetti and that beautifully vibrant broccoli is the perfect touch!
Me too! Nothing like a nice bowl of pasta!
Oh, could I go for a big old bowl of this spaghetti Annie! The toasted breadcrumbs sound delish! I’ve always got a few boxes of pasta in my pantry as well as several kinds of crackers and pretzels. I’m hoping for snow instead of rain sometime soon!
I’ll keep my fingers crossed that you get some light flurries! 🙂
When the weather is wicked it is best to stay put! I love that your pantry is stocked for just about everything! This pasta with broccoli looks so comforting. No need to venture outdoors!
Indeed it is! Our weather’s looking pretty ugly tonight into tomorrow…looks like pasta to the rescue! 🙂
I have to say our pantry resembles yours in many ways 🙂 . I couldn’t live without extra virgin olive oil, pasta, cans or jars of tomatoes, flours for my baking, chocolate, nuts, cans of tuna, beans, biscotti (generic cookies in Italian). Your spaghetti with broccoli and bread crumbs looks so inviting, I am craving a plate right now. Beautiful combination of flavors for an easy and quick meal.
We’re ready for anything! Thanks, Nicoletta!
Spicy toasted breadcrumbs? Yes, please. I can see myself using those on so many different recipes like mac n cheese. Yum. This looks like the perfect comforting meal for the dark days we are having here in DC. Cheers girl!
Yep, our days are pretty dark here, too! Enough, I say! Oh yes – spicy toasted breadcrumbs make a good topping for just about anything…seafood, roasted vegetables…Mmmmm!
It’s amazing what you can whip up with basic panty items, Annie – I always have all the ingredients on hand so this would be a perfect and easy recipe to whip up when you don’t want to go out. I love broccoli with pasta – and I have yet to try bread crumbs but I keep seeing recipes with pasta and breadcrumbs together – so maybe this is a sign! Hope you have a great week!
Bread crumbs make all the difference! (Can you tell I’m a fan of bread? And crunch?) I think this is a sign, Geraldine! Enjoy!
Awww I want a side of hugs with my pasta! 😉 My pantry looks pretty similar to yours, I’ve got all the essentials and box after box of pasta, plus bags upon bags of dried beans. But the one item I couldn’t live without is my popcorn. lol. Call me crazy, but I’m a pop-oholic and if you take my poppy corn away from me I’d throw a hissy fit. <3 Anyways, I'm loving this pasta! Simple but packed with flavor and perfect for both weeknight meals or special occasions! I hope you guys are staying warm! Cheers, dear friend! xo
What would we do without our popcorn?! I get the same way when we’re down to nothing! Thanks for your kind words, my dear! xo
Cute! ‘Side of hugs’…..love that! I love the toasted bread crumbs for flavour and texture and chili is the perfect touch of heat. In our pantry? Always cans of tomatoes and lots of pasta….let’s not forget onions and garlic. And there’s always wine around 😉 I love how you transformed a few ingredients into a delicious meal that anyone would be more than happy to eat. Love it! Happy Monday, my friend! XOXO
Always wine around…oh yessss! I think we’re cut from the same cloth, my friend! Hugs! XOXO
Creating comfort dishes, especially ones with pasta, are a favorite of mine…especially in the winter! Luckily, we’ve had a lot of rain and no snow here the past week, but I’m sure it won’t stay that way for long. This dish looks so good, Annie! I love the simple, yet delicious flavors. Sounds like the perfect combo…pinned!
Garlic spaghetti with broccoli was a very popular dish for us growing up – the addition of the bread crumbs makes it extra special! Thanks, Gayle!
Like you, pasta is always in our pantry, as is olive oil, olives, booze and sourdough… always sourdough! Pasta is the ultimate comfort food, Annie and the fact that it’s so easy to pull together makes it even more desirable. All the flavors you’ve assembled here are so delicious and would make any ordinary night feel extra special! With a glass of wine… you’re instantly transported to the finest Italian Bistro! Delicious!
You’re right…it really doesn’t take much to make any night feel extra special! Thanks, Traci!