Penne With Broccoli Rabe And Pine Nuts – House Beautiful

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Servings: 4 Difficulty: Advanced
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A vibrant pasta dish featuring bitter greens, garlicky oil, and toasted pine nuts.
Penne With Broccoli Rabe and Pine Nuts - House Beautiful recipe image

This vibrant pasta dish balances the earthy bitterness of broccoli rabe with the rich, nutty crunch of toasted pine nuts. The greens are blanched to tenderize them and then sautéed with garlic and olive oil to create a fragrant base. The penne provides a sturdy vessel for the sauce, while a touch of butter and sharp Pecorino Romano cheese adds creaminess and depth. It is a perfect weeknight dinner that feels both rustic and refined. The combination of textures—from the al dente pasta to the crisp-tender greens and crunchy nuts—makes every bite interesting. Serve it family-style for a satisfying, vegetable-forward meal that highlights the natural flavors of the ingredients without overwhelming them.

Penne With Broccoli Rabe and Pine Nuts - House Beautiful recipe image
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Penne With Broccoli Rabe And Pine Nuts – House Beautiful

Author: chefs-mate Cooking Method: , , Cuisine: Courses:
Difficulty: Advanced
Servings: 4 Calories: 72.9

Description

This vibrant pasta dish balances the earthy bitterness of broccoli rabe with the rich, nutty crunch of toasted pine nuts. The greens are blanched to tenderize them and then saut&# 195;©ed with garlic and olive oil to create a fragrant base. The penne provides a sturdy vessel for the sauce, while a touch of butter and sharp Pecorino Romano cheese adds creaminess and depth. It is a perfect weeknight dinner that feels both rustic and refined. The combination of textures—from the al dente pasta to the crisp-tender greens and crunchy nuts—makes every bite interesting. Serve it family-style for a satisfying, vegetable-forward meal that highlights the natural flavors of the ingredients without overwhelming them.

Ingredients

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
  2. Spread pine nuts in a single layer on a baking sheet.
  3. Bake for 5 to 7 minutes, stirring once or twice, until fragrant and lightly golden.
  4. Remove from oven and transfer nuts to a plate to cool completely.
  5. Bring a medium saucepan of salted water to a boil.
  6. Add broccoli rabe and blanch for about 5 minutes until tender but still bright green.
  7. Drain broccoli rabe and rinse under cold water to stop cooking.
  8. Once cool enough to handle, coarsely chop the broccoli rabe and set aside.
  9. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat for about 30 seconds.
  10. Reduce heat to low and add sliced garlic; cook gently until golden brown, about 2-3 minutes.
  11. Add chopped broccoli rabe to the skillet and sauté for 2 to 3 minutes.
  12. Season with salt and pepper to taste, then remove from heat and set aside.
  13. Bring a large stockpot of water to a boil and add coarse salt.
  14. Add penne pasta and cook until al dente, about 9 minutes.
  15. Drain pasta well.
  16. In a large warm serving bowl, toss hot pasta with the sautéed broccoli rabe, butter, and grated Pecorino Romano cheese.
  17. Garnish with toasted pine nuts and serve immediately.

Nutrition Facts

Servings 4

Amount Per Serving
Calories 72.9kcal
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 0.7g2%
Saturated Fat 0.0g0%
Cholesterol 0.0mg0%
Sodium 56.5mg3%
Total Carbohydrate 15.8g6%
Dietary Fiber 4.8g20%
Sugars 5.9g
Protein 4.9g10%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Note

Broccoli rabe has a natural bitterness. If you prefer a milder flavor, blanching it for a slightly longer time or adding a pinch of sugar to the sauté can help balance it.

Keep an eye on the pine nuts while toasting; they can go from golden to burnt very quickly.

If Pecorino Romano is unavailable, Parmigiano-Reggiano is a suitable substitute, though it will be less sharp.

For a vegan version, omit the butter and cheese, or use plant-based alternatives.

Keywords: penne, broccoli rabe, pine nuts, pasta, garlic, pecorino, olive oil, italian, dinner, vegetarian, quick meal, easy recipe, mediterranean, greens, toasted, sauteed
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