Broccoli Pasta Pizza
Broccoli pasta holds a VERY special place in my heart. One of my very best childhood friends, Gabby, lived across the street from me. That friendship was an integral part of me realizing just how much trying and experiencing new foods meant to me. Her dad, Steve, was a classic Italian-American with the best chicken cutlets
Broccoli Pasta Pizza
Time: 35-40 minutes
Serves: 8-10 people
INGREDIENTS
2 1/2 cups cooked broccoli florets (about 1 large head of broccoli)
2-3 sprigs of cilantro or parsley, chopped
2 garlic cloves
1/4 teaspoon sea salt, or to taste
1/4 teaspoon sumac, optional
pepper, to taste
1/4 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese, plus more for garnish
1/4 cup mozzarella cheese, plus more for garnish
2-3 tablespoons chopped parsley, for garnish
DIRECTIONS
Begin by preheating your oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit
Rinse your head of broccoli and remove the stem. Using a knife (or your hands), break apart the florets into smaller pieces.
Heat a pot of water over medium heat and heavily salt the water. Add the broccoli and bring to a low boil. Cook until tender, about 5-7 minutes.
Drain the broccoli and add to a blender. To the blender, also add the parsley, garlic cloves, sumac (optional), and salt/pepper, to taste. Once creamy, set aside.
Cook 8-10 ounces of pasta in heavily salted water until almost al-dente. We want the pasta to be removed from heat prior to al-dente so that the noodles do not overcook when we add it to the sauce later on. Reserve about 1/3 cup of pasta water and drain the pasta.
To the same pasta cooking pot, add the pasta and broccoli sauce. Heat over medium heat and add 1/4 cup of freshly grated parmesan cheese and 1/4 cup of mozzarella cheese. Stir until melted and combined. Add the pasta water, stirring consistently, until emulsified. Set aside.
If using a pre-baked/frozen pizza crust, thaw and remove the wrapping. If using homemade/fresh pizza crust, form the shape, drizzle 3 tablespoons of olive oil, and sprinkle with a dash of salt, garlic powder, and black pepper. Bake the pizza crust until just cooked.
Spoon the broccoli pasta onto the pizza crust in an even layer. Garnish with as much mozzarella cheese and parmesan cheese as your heart desires. Sprinkle 2 tablespoons of chopped parsley.
If using a frozen pizza, bake following the baking directions/timing on the box. If using a freshly baked pizza crust, bake the pizza for about 8-10 minutes or until the crust is golden brown and the bottom of the pizza is sturdy.
Remove and let cool. Garnish with more freshly grated parmesan cheese, chopped parsley, a drizzle of olive oil, and black pepper.
Dive in!
