So there are some recipes that you make for special occasions such as Penne and 5 cheeses or a really yummy lasagna. Then there are some that are entirely seasonal like a hearty stew or a Fresh Peach Pie. Then there are some of my favorite recipes, those that you make so often that you know them by heart. This recipe is one of those for us. It’s easily the boyfriends favorite recipe. He even requested it for his celebratory birthday meal. That says something I think. It’s really a great meal. Very flavorful while still being simple and filling. Giada is usually spot on with really great food. It’s few and far between that I find a recipe of hers thats downright awful. I hope you guys love this as much as we do.

First thing first, this recipe takes so little time we start by putting a pot of water on the stove set to high.

Next grab a saucepan and add 1/4 cup of olive oil while off of the heat. I do this because this can get away from you quickly so its easier to add everything to the pan first while cold and then heat it up gradually so the oil infuses with the other flavors without burning everything. Oh and I know the ZOMG THATS A LOT OF OIL!!! people are going to get on me about this one. First, it’s for the whole pound of pasta, second it’s heart healthy olive oil. Trust me, just go with it.

Next grab 4 tablespoons of butter and add it to the pan. You could probably use all olive oil but the butter adds an entirely different flavor to the dish and frankly tastes awesome. Plus its got broccoli in it so thats sort of redeeming right?

Next pull off 3 cloves of garlic. Sometimes if I’m feeling particularly saucy I’ll do 4 or 5. Today I’m being a good girl and following the recipe so its three.

Pop them with the back of your knife.

Finely chop them and add it to the pan.

Next add 1/4 tsp of chili flakes. Of course you could add much more if you’d like. Sometimes I’ll add as much as teaspoon. It about burns my nostrils out so I’m going to follow the recipe for now and add the quarter teaspoon.

Next add a sprinkling of salt. Oh, be careful here. I use salted butter and you’re already salting the pasta water. Remember you can always add salt later if it’s not salty enough but there isn’t much you can do for an overly salty dish besides feed it to the dog or throw it away.

Pepper. I like A LOT of pepper. But thats me. You could add very little or none at all if you’re strictly anti-pepper. If thats the case maybe you should be reading another food blog. I over pepper everything.

Stir it up a little.

and set it on the burner. Don’t turn it on just yet though. We’ll get to that later.

Next chop up two medium heads of broccoli.

You could always buy the prechopped florets but for the 3 seconds this takes you’ll save some change.

If there are some big hunkin pieces like this chop them up a little so they’re bite sized

or so that they pretty much look like this

By now the water should be boiling and it is

Add some salt to the water

Now you could use any pasta you like but bowties (farfale) accept the sauce the best. Plus they’re fun and if you had a tiny pasta man he’d be ready for prom.

Ahem, anyway add the pasta.

Stir it up to prevent sticking.

Set the timer for 5 minutes. Okay this photo was a few seconds after the fact.

NOW it’s time to turn the burner to medium on the sauce.

Now back off. Let everything go for a few minutes. Have a glass of wine or set the table. About a minute before the timer goes off for the pasta check your sauce. It should look like this and it’s at the point where you should turn it down to low. Give it a few shakes to make sure everything is mixed up well and isn’t sticking. It’ll still keep cooking but it won’t get any hotter.

When the timer goes off add the broccoli and cook for another 4 minutes

While you’re waiting grate a good lump of Parmesan Cheese. If you have the kind that comes in a tub pregrated thats fine too. If thats the case get it out and have another glass of wine while you wait. It’s cool, I won’t tell anybody.

About this much is good.

When the timer goes off drain the pasta and broccoli and add it to a bowl or return it to the pot.

Next pour the sauce over the top of the broccoli and pasta. Notice how the garlic is lightly browned? This keeps it flavorful and nutty without being bitter. Thats why we waited to put the heat under the sauce.

Now toss it all together.

and add the cheese.

Now taste it. I tried mine and realized that i needed more salt, pepper and chili flakes. So I add them.

Now dish it out into bowls and top with a little extra cheese for character.

Yum.

ENJOY!