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Spaghetti With Broccoli And Garlic And Parmigiano Lemon Bread Crumbs

Pasta and broccoli

Pasta and broccoli

There are so many delicious sweet treats for Fiesta Friday #16 that I decided I would bring a savory dish.  I make this often, practically every week, it’s one of my favorite quick and simple meals. I find that making some of the components of the dish in the morning really help this to come together quickly for dinner. I like to make the breadcrumbs and steam the broccoli in the morning. The breadcrumbs taste so good when they are made a few hours ahead of the meal. I also steam the broccoli in the morning and saute in the evening before serving. There really is no recipe per say for this dish, but here are the list of ingredients and instructions.

Fiesta Friday #16 is hosted by Elaine@foodbod and Stacey@10 legs in the kitchen and to find out more about Fiesta Fridays and hopefully join the party visit Angie’s lovely site The Novice Gardener. I must say I am having a blast participating, there are so many great cooks, we all have fun!

Broccoli- cut into  bite size pieces

2 cloves garlic thinly sliced

pinch of red pepper flakes

spaghetti or pasta of your choice

approximately 1/4 cup chicken broth or pasta water

Bread crumbs (preferably fresh bread crumbs)

1 clove garlic minced

olive oil

parmigiano grated

pinch of lemon zest (zest of half a lemon)

black pepper a few turns of the pepper mill

salt if needed

Mix bread crumbs, lemon, parmigiano and black pepper. In saute pan heat some olive oil and add the minced garlic, now add the breadcrumbs and saute until toasted a golden brown. Remove the bread crumbs and set aside, don’t clean the pan use the same pan for the broccoli.

Steam broccoli to your desired doneness, for this dish I like it pretty soft, probably softer than most of you would want to cook it. I steam it for about 8-10 minutes. Put the water (be sure to add salt to the water) on for the spaghetti, when boiling vigorously cook to al dente and remove, save some of the water. To your saute pan add olive oil, garlic and pepper flakes, saute until the garlic softens and starts to turn a very light brown. Add the broccoli and stir until it’s covered with the oil and garlic, saute for a few minutes, add the chicken broth or reserved pasta water and cook for a few minutes, add the pasta and toss with the sauteed broccoli and cook for just about a minute. Remove from pan. Top the spaghetti with the bread crumbs and serve. I like to add more cheese.

Pasta Yum!

Pasta Yum!

Fiesta Friday

Fiesta Friday

 

 

 

 

 

64 Comments Post a comment
  1. Suzanne, I would love a bowl of this for my dinner tonight! Love all the ingredients of this dish, especially the broccoli and bread crumbs. Oh delish!

    May 18, 2014
  2. talkavino #

    Love pasta with broccoli and garlic in any form, and bread crumbs sound like an extra bonus!

    May 18, 2014
    • Thanks so much Anatoli, yes I too really love this dish and the breadcrumbs are delicious, cheesy and lemony, they go so well with the pasta and broccoli.

      May 19, 2014
  3. This looks delicious…and the fact that you make it often, proves that point! I’ve never thought to flavor the breadcrumbs with lemon…that’s a great idea. I’ll be adding this to my menu soon. It sounds like a perfect springtime meal. 🙂

    May 18, 2014
    • A little lemon zest in the breadcrumbs is really nice. The pasta has such a fresh flavor from the lemon, Thanks so much Nancy,

      May 19, 2014
  4. I love to make simple pastas like this, and love the idea of including broccoli. There’s a restaurant in town that makes a fabulous pasta I always order that’s similar to this. GREAT recipe 🙂

    May 18, 2014
    • Me too Susan, it’s quick and nutritious (especially if you use whole grain pasta) I first tasted this in a restaurant my Mom never made it. Thanks so much.

      May 19, 2014
  5. I’ve never thought of lemon zest on bread, but it sounds perfect. 🙂

    May 18, 2014
    • Just a touch of lemon mixed with the crumbs and cheese is so nice. Thanks so much.

      May 19, 2014
  6. Suzanne, you forgot to link your photo, hon. I linked it for you. I took the top (opening) photo, assuming that’s your preferred one. If not, let me know, I can change it.

    This looks extremely delicious, by the way. Simple, yes, but totally satisfying and one that I would make again and again, just like you. I do make something similar, but you taught me something new. Breadcrumbs! What a great idea!

    May 18, 2014
    • OMG, so sorry. I was really tired yesterday. Slipped my mind. Thank you so much for the kind comment and for linking for me.

      May 19, 2014
  7. Liz #

    oh, that had to taste good! Multiple textures, flavors. What a perfect main dish–it would satisfy 🙂

    May 18, 2014
  8. Oh gosh, this looks like the best sort of way to eat your broccoli! You have the BEST pasta recipes, Seana. We’re trying this one…

    May 19, 2014
    • Oh Suzanne– Your’e going to think I’m a scatterbrain (which is true)– I thought I was on the Cottage Grove House blog. — I really do think this pasta looks amazing!

      May 19, 2014
      • LOL, thank you Rhonda, it’s alright I could only aspire to be Seana. Her blog and recipes are amazing. Thank you so much.

        May 19, 2014
  9. This is similar to one of my go-to supper dishes but I’ve never tried it with lemon breadcrumbs which sound amazing, will try your version next time, looks so good!

    May 19, 2014
    • Thank you Anna, its really nice. Just a touch of lemon brightens up the dish.

      May 19, 2014
  10. Looks fabulous -spaghetti is one of our favourites here. I like the idea of preparing parts of the dish ahead of time, must give it a try.

    May 19, 2014
    • Yes, I always try to do that when I can. I never quite have a stretch of time I can totally devote to cooking. Too much happening around here so if some is prepared ahead it makes my life much easier. Thank you so much.

      May 19, 2014
  11. This is definitely going on my list! If it’s got broccoli and/or garlic in it, I’m there! I love the sound of adding breadcrumbs too, yum!

    May 19, 2014
  12. skd #

    Looks delicious…😋

    May 19, 2014
  13. Love the additional of the lemon! Great recipe thanks!

    May 19, 2014
  14. Suzanne this pasta looks great, what a creative recipe! Love everything you put inside, I want to try to do it, thanks for sharing!

    May 19, 2014
  15. Totally delicious Suzanne – love the idea of the toasted, garlicky, zesty, cheesy breadcrumbs to scatter over the top! Look forward to trying yet another of your lovely recipes!

    May 19, 2014
  16. Love the idea of this with the breadcrumb topping – I might have to try it with added asparagus! Mmmm!

    May 19, 2014
  17. Love the simplicity of this dish Suzanne and it’s plated so pretty. I absolutely love garlic and broccoli together, but the additonal of lemony bread crumbs sounds SO good! I am always squeezing some extra lemon juice at the end of my meals because it brightens up all the other flavors so amazingly. Lemon is just divine on just about anything.

    May 19, 2014
    • Thanks Brandi, it is so simple but the flavor is profound, it pops!! Thanks so much.

      May 19, 2014
  18. How smart of you to begin the prep in the morning; makes for an effortless (and delicious) meal in the evening. I am sadly unable to accomplish such tasks in the morning before work.

    Do yo steam brocoli for your dogs too? It is a great thing to feed them to help ward off cancer. With recent health scares for Buddy, I have been deep diving research and recall your wonderful regiment you have for feeding your pugs. Take care and thanks for joining the party.

    May 19, 2014
    • Yes, I am lucky I have the time in the morning to do that, I know many don’t.
      I feed my dogs raw broccoli mixed with other raw vegetables that I grind in the food processor. They get raw broccoli, celery, kale, spinach and carrot. I grind so it’s easy for them to digest and mix with their meat and I also give them a spoonful of barley. (helps regulate the blood sugar as both are diabetic.
      Thanks so much Stacey. Yes those veggies are good for us and our 4 legged buddies too!

      May 19, 2014
  19. Hoda #

    Mouthwatering!

    May 19, 2014
  20. What a coincidence! I make pasta with broccoli almost every week too! 🙂 However never thought of adding breadcrumbs! Great idea, Suzanne! I’m making it tonight! 🙂

    May 19, 2014
    • I love this dish using different types of veggies also, broccoli rabe, kale are two favorites. It’s so delicious and light. Thanks so much Francesca.

      May 19, 2014
  21. Sounds delicious, I love the idea of the parmesan, lemon, and breadcrumb topping.

    May 19, 2014
  22. I love seeing a dish that you make regularly. I have my standbys too – and they’re always simple but just the best. I will give this one a try Suzanne – thank you for sharing it with us!

    May 19, 2014
    • Thank you so much! There are certain dishes that are always good and are so simple to make and will always be standby”s. I hope you like if you make it!

      May 19, 2014
  23. OH YUM! What’s NOT to like in this dish? Love it…everything I adore all in one bowl! Great combination and I must try this! Thank you so much! CC

    May 20, 2014
    • Thanks so much Christina, its really delicious and simple and one of my favorites.

      May 20, 2014
  24. Mmm lemon bread crumbs with spaghetti? SO have to try this delicious recipe 😀

    Cheers
    Choc Chip Uru

    May 20, 2014
  25. Traditionally Modern Food #

    Tempting to eat

    May 20, 2014
  26. oh my sorry i am totally distracted by Mr Pugsly I have a pug of my own, sooo nice to meet another pug person, i have so many pictures of mine on my blog and flickr, now I have to follow you LOL. I have a french bulldog too. PS your dish looks lovely x

    May 20, 2014
    • Thank you thank you just visited your blogs and they are great, so much fun, following you now on all!! Aren’t puggies the best, so nice to meet another pug person, love frenchies also, Izzy and Nando’ good friends are Lenny and Carly frenchies. Thank you and look forward to reading you posts.

      May 20, 2014
      • awe thats great, you obviously know other frenchies and puglies I don’t at present, maybe we have to set up a social circle of puglies hehe and frenchies of course cant miss them out. My pug is usually under my feet when cooking, waiting for anything that might fall his way! He is an old boy now at 10. Thank you for visiting my blog, did you see my flickr on my header, theres an album on nit called dogs you will see both furry creatues there if you want x

        May 20, 2014
      • I will check out the flickr photo’s, your blogs are such fun! Izzy and Nando are seniors too, Nando 14 and Izzy 13 Nando blind and Izzy almost blind both are special needs with diabetes, insulin dependent. They, especially Nando love their food, hang out in the kitchen hoping some of it will make it their way. Have to feed them restricted diet but still enjoy giving a bite or so of contraband every now and then. It makes their day.Happy to have found your blogs, thanks also for the follow and so glad to meet another pug lover.

        May 20, 2014
  27. Yum! I have reached a roadblock in my pasta-making creativity; as you can imagine, with a 3-year-old at home, I find myself making the same old boring varieties (“green sauce” or “red sauce” she will say), and the veggies get pushed to the side. I so want to make this for ME! I love broccoli and everything you have here – breadcrumbs, lemon zest? Yes. I’ll even see if it passes muster with the little one, but I’ll be happy to enjoy a big bowl of this! Thanks for sharing!

    May 21, 2014
    • Thank you, it’s delicious and a staple here in my home but sometimes I mix it up using different vegetables, kale, asparagus, broccoli rabe, it’s all good. Thanks again and I hope your sweet 3 year old eats it!

      May 21, 2014
  28. This sounds like such a wonderfully fragrant, bright pasta dish perfect for these warmer days! This bread crumbs are calling my name. I must make this very soon!

    May 25, 2014
    • Thank you so much Kate, yes it’s really wonderful and quick to make, perfect for warmer weather when you don’t want to be standing over a stove for hours, Thanks so much,

      May 25, 2014
  29. Oh wow Suzanne! LOVE the look of this scrumptious dish!!

    May 26, 2014
  30. This looks and sounds delicious, Suzanne!

    May 28, 2014

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