Orecchiette Con Broccoli

Craving a quick, healthy, and utterly delicious meal that’s bursting with vibrant flavours? Get ready to fall in love with this vegan twist on Orecchiette con Broccoli, a classic Italian dish hailing from the sun-kissed Puglia region.

😋 Why I love this recipe!

This orecchiette con broccoli, or simply Orecchiette with broccoli, is my go-to quick lunch at the moment for good reason. It’s incredibly quick and incredibly easy, with simple ingredients. And let’s not forget how healthy it is! Packed with nutrients from broccoli, olive oil, and nutritional yeast, it’s a feel-good meal that leaves you satisfied and energised. 

🌱 Some history of Orecchiette Con Broccoli

Orecchiette con Broccoli is a classic dish hailing from the Puglia region of Italy, the “heel of the boot.” This rustic and flavorful combination of ear-shaped pasta and tender broccoli florets is a testament to the region’s culinary traditions, where simple ingredients shine. Orecchiette, meaning “little ears” in Italian, were traditionally made by hand and perfectly capture the vibrant flavours of the sauce, while the broccoli adds a fresh, verdant counterpoint. This dish is a true celebration of Puglian cuisine, showcasing the region’s love for fresh produce and pasta.

📝 Ingredient notes

Broccoli: This cruciferous veggie isn’t just for side dishes. Here, it’s the main event, bringing loads of fibre, vitamins C and K, and antioxidants to the party. 

Orecchiette: These “little ears” are the perfect pasta shape for this dish, their nooks and crannies capturing every bit of delicious sauce and chunks of broccoli. But hey, if you’re out of orecchiette, any short pasta like penne or fusilli will work. You’ll just have to come up with a new name for it!

Henderson’s Relish: This vegan Worcestershire-style sauce is our secret weapon for adding depth and umami that usually comes from anchovies. It’s a little tangy, a little salty, and a whole lot of delicious. No Henderson’s? A dash of any other vegan worcestershire sauce, or even soy sauce or tamari can work in a pinch.

Garlic & Chilli: These two bring the heat and the aromatic punch we love. Adjust the amount to your spice preference, or skip the chilli entirely if you’re sensitive.

Lemon: A squeeze of fresh lemon juice brightens up the whole dish and cuts through the richness of the olive oil and nutritional yeast. The zest add a brightness to the base of the dish

Nutritional Yeast: This cheesy, nutty powder is a vegan kitchen staple. It adds a savoury depth and a good dose of B vitamins. If you don’t have it on hand, grated vegan parmesan can work as a substitute.

Olive Oil: We’re using good quality extra virgin olive oil for its rich flavour and healthy fats. 

🥦 How to make Orecchiette Con Broccoli

1. Prepare ingredients: Wash and cut the broccoli into small florets, roughly 1cm in size. Peel and slice the garlic cloves into thick pieces. Finely chop the chilli into small slivers. Zest and juice half a lemon, reserving both separately.

2. Cook the broccoli: Fill a large pot with water and bring it to a rolling boil. Add a pinch of salt. Gently lower the broccoli florets into the boiling water. Cook for about 4 minutes until they are just starting to be tender but still retain a vibrant green colour.

3. Infuse the oil: While the broccoli cooks, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a wok or large pan over medium heat. Add the sliced garlic and chopped chilli. Stir frequently until the garlic becomes fragrant and slightly golden, but not browned.
4. Add flavour: Pour in a generous splash of Henderson’s relish (a vegan Worcestershire sauce alternative). Fry for about 30 seconds, stirring constantly to prevent burning.

5. Combine broccoli and aromatics: Carefully remove the cooked broccoli from the boiling water using a spider strainer or slotted spoon. Transfer it directly to the wok or pan with the garlic and chilli. Reserve the broccoli cooking water for the pasta.
6. Steam the broccoli: Reduce the heat under the wok or pan to low. Add enough of the reserved broccoli cooking water to create a steaming effect, rather than frying. Stir in the lemon zest.

7. Cook the pasta: Bring the reserved broccoli cooking water back to a boil. Add the pasta and cook for one minute less than the package instructions.
8. Season the broccoli: Continue to cook the broccoli, adding more pasta water if needed to prevent it from drying out. Season generously with salt and pepper to taste.
9. Transfer pasta: Once the pasta is cooked al dente, lift it from the water using a spider strainer and add it to the broccoli in the wok or pan. Make sure to reserve the pasta cooking water.
10. Incorporate the pasta: Gently stir the pasta and broccoli together for a minute or so until well combined. Add a spoonful of nutritional yeast and stir, allowing it to absorb some of the liquid. Add more pasta water if necessary to maintain a slightly saucy consistency and cook until the pasta is done. Add more pasta water as needed.
11. Add lemon juice: Squeeze the reserved lemon juice over the broccoli pasta in the wok or pan. Stir to combine.

12. Final adjustments: Taste the pasta and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper as needed. Add more pasta water for a looser sauce, or cook for a few more seconds to thicken it.
13. Serve: Divide the pasta and broccoli between serving bowls. Top with a generous sprinkle of vegan parmesan and a drizzle of the remaining olive oil. Serve immediately and enjoy!

💡 Tips for getting it right!

• Pasta Water Magic: The starchy pasta water is key to creating a creamy sauce. Don’t drain it all – add it to the pan as needed for a luscious consistency.
• Pasta Perfection: Cook your orecchiette al dente (firm to the bite) for the best texture and to prevent it from getting mushy.

🎨 Potential variations

• Spicy Orecchiette con Broccoli: If you like a little heat, this dish can easily be made spicier. Simply amp up the amount of chilli used in the recipe or add a pinch of red pepper flakes for a fiery kick.
• Creamy Orecchiette con Broccoli: Add in a splash of plant-based cream for a richer, creamier sauce.

🤔 Frequently asked questions