Il Cucinologo
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Baked Pasta with Broccoli and Ricotta

17/11/2023

Baked pasta with broccoli and ricotta is a delicious dish and relatively simple to prepare. Here’s how to make it:

Ingredients

  • 400 g short pasta (penne, rigatoni, etc.)
  • 500 g broccoli
  • 250 g ricotta
  • 100 g grated Parmesan
  • 200 g mozzarella (cubed or torn)
  • 2 garlic cloves
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Extra virgin olive oil
  • Nutmeg (optional)
  • Breadcrumbs (for gratin, optional)

Preparation

  1. Preheat the oven to 180 °C.
  2. Wash the broccoli and cut it into small florets.
  3. In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil and cook the broccoli for about 5 minutes. They should soften but remain a bit crunchy.
  4. Using a slotted spoon, remove the broccoli from the water (without discarding the water) and place them in a large bowl.
  5. In the same cooking water from the broccoli, cook the pasta al dente according to the package instructions and drain it.
  6. In a pan, sauté the garlic cloves in extra virgin olive oil and then add the broccoli. Sauté everything in the pan for a few minutes.
  7. In a bowl, mix the ricotta with the Parmesan, adding a pinch of salt, pepper, and nutmeg if desired.
  8. Combine the pasta with the broccoli in the pan, then add the ricotta and Parmesan mixture and the mozzarella, stirring well to combine the ingredients.
  9. Transfer everything to a baking dish greased with a little oil.
  10. Sprinkle the surface with a little breadcrumbs to add extra crunch.
  11. Bake for about 20 minutes or until the surface becomes golden and crispy.
  12. Let it rest for a few minutes before serving.

The nutmeg in the ricotta mixture gives a touch of comfort and depth, while the breadcrumbs add that necessary crunchy element that contrasts with the creaminess of the cheese.

Notes

Baked pasta with broccoli and ricotta is a versatile dish that lends itself to many variations. For example, you could add halved cherry tomatoes or desalted anchovies to give an extra touch of flavor. Additionally, baked pasta is a dish that can be prepared in advance and reheated when serving, making it perfect for dinners with many guests or for having a ready meal for the following days.