Jamie Oliver Broccoli Pasta Recipe

Recipe Pin

Last summer, when I went to Italy, I tried broccoli pasta for the first time and simply loved it. Craving it back home, I found Jamie Oliver’s Broccoli Pasta recipe, and I was instantly drawn to give it a shot. Read along to learn how this dish became my and my family’s favorite.

The thing I love most about this dish is that it uses orecchiette pasta, which has a lovely texture. It is soft in the center and slightly chewy around the edges. Moreover, they look like little ears, which is what orecchiette means in Italian.

Apart from that, what caught my attention in this recipe was the use of anchovies, which are, again, one of my favorite fish. They blend very well in this dish and add a punch of umami and savory flavors.

However, to make this pasta tastier and healthier, Jamie Oliver calls for broccoli and cheese, which I find interesting. It makes me enjoy this pasta guilt-free. So, here comes my favorite part of sharing this recipe with you.

I have also mentioned a few tips and tricks, along with some variations that people following special diets can try. So, go through the whole recipe and relish its divine taste.

What's In The Post

Equipment Required

Small Knife: I use a sharp knife to cut the broccoli, as it makes it easier to cut the thick stems and florets.
Colander: Using a colander to drain excess water is my best bet. You can also use a sieve or a strainer too.
Large Pan: Cooking pasta in a large pot ensures that it gets enough space to release its starch.
Saucepan With A Lid: A saucepan is required to stir-fry and combine the ingredients.
Grater: A box grater works best for me when I grate cheese, as it doesn’t let the cheese spill out.
Wooden Spoon: I use a wooden spoon to combine all the ingredients smoothly without breaking them.

Jamie Oliver Broccoli Pasta Ingredients & Substitutions

Note: This recipe is big enough to serve two people. If you want to make more or less, you must adjust the recipe accordingly.

2 Large Heads Of Broccoli
2 Large Cloves Of Garlic
8 Anchovy Filets, In Oil: I have also used sardines once instead of anchovies, and it tasted yummy. Vegans can also use miso paste or capers as substitutes.
4 Tablespoons of Butter: You can easily substitute olive oil for butter in any pasta recipe.
2-4 Small Dried Red Chilies, To Taste: At times, I use paprika to add a kick of spice to my pasta.
450 g Dried Orecchiette Pasta: While orecchiette tastes the best, you can also use penne or rigatoni in this recipe.
Parmesan Cheese: I recommend using freshly grated Parmesan cheese, as it melts more evenly than pre-shredded cheese coated in cornstarch. However, if you don’t have Parmesan, you can use pecorino, feta, cheddar, or goat cheese as an alternative.
Salt To Taste
Black Pepper

Preparation And Cooking Time

Preparation Time	Cooking Time	Total Time
2 Minutes	18 Minutes	20 Minutes

How To Make Jamie Oliver Broccoli Pasta At Home

Step 1

In a large pan, bring salted water to a boil.

Step 2

Once the water comes to a boil, add the pasta and cook it al dente, meaning only until tender. Moreover, stir the pasta occasionally so that it doesn’t stick to itself.

Step 3

Meanwhile, using a small knife, trim the dark green florets from the broccoli stalks and set them aside. Peel the stalks, trim the dry ends, and discard. Add the broccoli florets to the boiling pasta and cook for 4 minutes.

Step 4

On the other hand, take a saucepan and add half the butter, finely chopped garlic, and chili to the pan.

Step 5

Next, add the anchovies and stir.

Step 6

Then add the finely chopped broccoli stalk to the pan, and cover with the lid. Let it cook slowly for 8-10 minutes.

Step 7

Now, it is time to add the cooked pasta.

Step 8

Add some salt and pepper to the pan.

Step 9

Now, add some Parmesan cheese and fold the pasta into it.

Step 10

Your Jamie Oliver Broccoli Pasta is ready to serve.

Jamie Oliver Broccoli Pasta Recipe Video

Expert Tips That I Recommend

I cook broccoli in the same water as my orecchiette, which enhances the flavor of my pasta.
I don’t drain the pasta water completely. Adding the reserved water to the pasta sauce further enhances the pasta’s flavor.
Sometimes, when I have less sauce and more pasta, I add the reserved water to increase the sauce’s volume. I also add some heavy cream.
I sauté garlic in butter or olive oil nicely before adding other ingredients, as it adds a nice sweet flavor.
To add richness and enhance the flavors of my pasta, I complete the dish with a drizzle of high-quality olive oil.
Finally, I garnish my pasta with fresh herbs like parsley or basil. They make my dish look good and also add freshness.

FAQs About Jamie Oliver Broccoli Pasta Recipe

Why did your Jamie Oliver Broccoli Pasta turn mushy?

Your pasta can turn mushy if you overcook it. Therefore, always follow the instructions written on the packet while cooking pasta and remove the pasta from boiling water once it is al dente.

Why did your pasta turn clumpy?

Pasta can become clumpy if it is not stirred enough during cooking. While constant stirring is not required, you should stir once or twice to prevent the ingredients from sticking together.

Why does your pasta taste bland despite seasoning it enough?

Your pasta will taste bland if you don’t put enough salt in the water while cooking the pasta.

Why is the pasta not cooked properly?

You need to let the water come to a proper boil before adding the pasta. Adding pasta while the water is just simmering results in uneven cooking.

Why does this pasta taste bitter despite following all the steps properly?

The culprit behind the bitter taste of your pasta in this recipe is anchovies. Anchovies that are not properly immersed in the oil or kept at room temperature for longer hours can result in a bitter or rancid taste. Therefore, you must use a fresh tin of anchovies or one that has not passed its expiration date.

Why is your pasta dry?

If the quantity of sauce is less, your pasta can become dry. Therefore, measure your ingredients properly and use freshly boiled pasta to make the dish.

Why is your broccoli overcooked?

Your broccoli can be overcooked, when you leave it in boiling water for too long or cook it at a high temperature. You can stop the overcooking of broccoli by transferring them to an ice bath. It will stop the cooking process further and also firm up the broccoli a little bit.

Nutritional Information Per Serving

While this recipe is packed with nutrients and a bunch of flavors, this pasta is fairly high in carbs. Hence, I would recommend eating it in moderation.

I have shared the nutritional information of this dish in the table below for your reference.

Calories	367 kcal
Carbohydrates	59.4 g
Protein	14.8 g
Fat	9.5 g
Saturated Fat	5.1 g
Sodium	1.3 mg
Fiber	2.4 g
Sugar	3 g

Recipe Variations For Different Diets

Vegan Diet: I made this recipe for one of my vegan cousins, and it was a hit! I substituted miso paste for anchovies and used olive oil instead of butter. Since Parmesan cheese isn’t vegan, I opted for cashew nut parmesan, which is easily available in the market. The dish turned out delicious and has become her favorite ever since.
Dairy-Free Diet: Butter and parmesan cheese might be an issue for people following a vegan diet in this recipe. As mentioned earlier, butter can be replaced with olive oil, and parmesan can be replaced with cashew-nut parmesan.
Keto-Friendly Diet: People on a keto diet just have to replace butter with olive oil. The rest of the ingredients are keto-friendly. This simple substitution will make the recipe keto-friendly.
Gluten-Free Diet: The main ingredient, orecchiette, as well as any pasta, contains gluten. However, this recipe can be made gluten-friendly by replacing orecchiette with any pasta made from a rice or corn base.

Storing And Reheating This Recipe

Storing

Countertop: At times, when I prepare the pasta ahead of time, I leave it on the kitchen countertop. However, I would not recommend leaving it on the countertop for more than 2 hours, as it can get spoiled.
Refrigerator: I store the leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator, where it typically lasts for up to 4-5 days. However, cooked pasta doesn’t keep up well when frozen.

Reheating

Stove Top: I usually reheat this pasta on the stovetop by sprinkling some water and stirring it at short intervals over medium heat. I also grated some more Parmesan cheese to make it creamier while reheating.
Microwave: After taking the pasta out of the refrigerator, sprinkle a little water on it to loosen it up. Mix well, and then put it in the microwave for a few minutes until heated.

What To Serve With This Recipe

My favorite combination to serve this dish is with Garlic Bread on the side. But when I make it for guests, I prefer serving it with a side like Caesar Salad or Baked Vegetables. Grilled steak also goes well with this recipe.

Moreover, I enjoy this dish on its own, but serving it with sides like Fried Chicken or Baked Potatoes, and a simple French Toast also works wonders, adding that crunch. Other than these food items, I also enjoy this broccoli pasta with white wines like Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and Riesling.

Printable Version

More Jamie Oliver Recipes That You Can Try

Jamie Oliver Toad In The Hole Feature Image — Jamie Oliver Toad In The Hole

Serving Jamie Oliver Chicken Nuggets — Jamie Oliver Toad In The Hole

Conclusion

What began as a love for orecchiette has now become an addiction to this recipe. This Jamie Oliver Broccoli Pasta has become a staple food at my home. The recipe is simple to follow and easy to cook. All you have to do is to keep the ingredients ready in your kitchen.

However, I have also mentioned substitutes for the ingredients because what is needed is the essence of this recipe to make this pasta dish a big hit at your home. So go ahead and try this pasta dish, and don’t forget to write how it turned out in your kitchen in the comment section below. Until then, Happy Cooking!