Description
A simple and flavorful 5-ingredient Miso Broccoli Orecchiette recipe featuring tender broccoli, miso-infused sauce, and parmesan cheese. This dish combines easy-to-find ingredients into a creamy, savory pasta that’s perfect for a quick weeknight meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables
- 1 small head of broccoli, cut into small florets, stalk trimmed and finely diced
Pasta
- 500g (1 lb) orecchiette
Other
- 4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, plus extra to serve
- 2 tbsp white or ‘shiro’ miso paste
- 1 cup finely grated parmesan, plus extra to serve
Instructions
- Cook the broccoli: Bring a pot of water to a boil and cook the broccoli florets and diced stalk for 5 minutes or until soft. Use a slotted spoon or spider strainer to transfer the broccoli to a large bowl and set aside.
- Cook the pasta: Return the boiling water to the pot and salt it generously. Add the orecchiette and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. When done, scoop out 1½ cups of the pasta cooking water and set aside. Drain the pasta using a colander.
- Prepare the miso sauce: Heat 4 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil in a large deep sauté or frying pan over medium-high heat. Add 2 tablespoons of white or shiro miso paste and ¼ cup of the reserved pasta water. Stir with a wooden spoon until the miso dissolves almost completely.
- Combine ingredients: Add the cooked broccoli to the pan and use the back of the spoon to roughly crush it. Then add the drained pasta and the remaining pasta cooking water. Cook while stirring for 3 to 4 minutes, allowing the pasta water to thicken into a creamy sauce.
- Finish the dish: Stir in 1 cup of finely grated parmesan cheese until melted and well combined. Divide the pasta among serving plates, drizzle with extra olive oil and sprinkle with additional parmesan to taste. Serve immediately and enjoy.
Notes
- This dish uses white or ‘shiro’ miso paste for a milder flavor, but you can experiment with red miso for a deeper taste.
- Adjust the amount of pasta water added to achieve your preferred sauce consistency.
- Extra grated parmesan and olive oil add richness and can be adjusted based on taste preference.
- Make sure not to overcook the broccoli to retain some texture.
- If you want a vegetarian option, ensure the parmesan is made without animal rennet.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-Japanese Fusion
Keywords: Miso broccoli orecchiette, 5-ingredient pasta, easy dinner, miso pasta sauce, vegetarian pasta
