Italian Pasta Recipes - Spicy Broccoli Pasta (Pasta Piccante con Broccolo) Recipe

Ingredients                 

• 350 g/12 oz broccoli florets

• 450 g/1lb pasta shells

• 60 ml/4 tbsp olive oil

• 1 red onion, finely chopped

• 75 g/3 oz flaked almonds

• 225 g/8 oz pepperoni, sliced

• 15 ml/1 tbsp chopped fresh basil

• 15 m/1 tbsp Pesto

• Salt and freshly ground black pepper

• 50 g/1/2 cup Bagozza (or other hard) cheese, grated

• 2.5 ml/1/2 tsp paprika

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Method:

1. Cook the broccoli florets in boiling, salted water for 8 minutes, until just tender. Drain well.

2. Cook the pasta in a separate pan of boiling, salted water for 10 minutes until just tender. Drain well.

3. Heat the oil in a frying pan (skillet) and cook the onion until translucent. Stir in the almonds and cook quickly, until golden.

4. Reduce the heat and add the pepperoni. Cook for 1 minute and stir in the broccoli, pasta, basil and pesto sauce.

5. Season to taste and stir in the cheese. Toss well to mix and sprinkle with the paprika before serving.