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Avidly Ravenous

May 11, 2021

Broccoli Pine Nut Pasta

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A close up broccoli pine nut pasta on a white plate.

This dish brings me back to high school. It was one of my favorite meals that my, now, mother-in-law made. This version of broccoli pine nut pasta is a little different from the dinner's I enjoyed at her home, but it is just as comforting. It is a cheesy, crunchy, broccoli-filled, mess of noodles that delivers the warm fuzzies to your body and your mind. Although this is a comforting dish, it still provides a nice punch of nutrition from the pine nuts and broccoli.

A close up of lightly toasted pine nuts.

Toasted pine nuts are a really lovely and often under-utilized ingredient. They are high in protein, have a rich nutty flavor, and add extra texture to your dish. These tasty morsels can be gathered from at least 20 different pine species, though two species are commonly harvested for this purpose, primarily due to the large size of the nuts. These nuts are a bit spendy, owing both to the long lead time before harvest and the complexity of the harvest itself. As a result, I like to buy them in bulk and freeze the extras. I'm not sure who needs to hear this, but if you want them to last, freeze your dang nuts!

The components of broccoli pine nut pasta added together in a pot but not yet mixed.

I'll be honest here. I find it difficult to leave a whole lot of leftovers with this dish...it is a little addicting. However, should you have more control than I do, this broccoli pine nut pasta freezes surprisingly well. Of course, the noodles will not stay crispy, it's not made of magic. However, the flavor and the texture from the pine nuts will remain strong as ever.

So bake yourself a batch of pasta, let its comforting warmth wash over you, and remind yourself that you are great at self-soothing.

Keep your belly full, your mind engaged, and your heart open.




Lillian
broccoli pine nut pasta served in a bowl.

Pine Nut Broccoli Pasta

A crispy butter balsamic pasta dish featuring pine nuts and broccoli. It's a simple recipe but it's warm and comforting, a perfect end for the day.
5 from 6 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes mins
Cook Time 45 minutes mins
Course Main Course, pasta
Servings 4 Servings

Ingredients
  

  • 2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 16 oz rotini pasta or your favorite short noodles
  • 1 ½ cups broccoli chopped into small pieces, or use frozen
  • 2 oz pine nuts about 2 ⅓ cups
  • ⅓ cup balsamic vinegar
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 cup chicken or vegetable stock
  • ½ teaspoon table salt plus more to taste
  • 3 tablespoon butter
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 ½ cups shredded parmesan divided

Instructions
 

  • Set oven to 425°F
  • Bring a large pot of water to a boil, add kosher salt, then cook pasta to al dente, according to the directions on your pasta.
  • During the last 2 minutes of cooking, add the broccoli to the pot.
  • Drain pasta and broccoli, pour back into the large pot and mix in the butter.
  • Meanwhile, heat a small saucepan over low heat.
  • Add pine nuts, then continue heating until lightly brown and they give off a nice nutty aroma, ~5 minutes. Be sure to frequently shake the pan during this process.
  • Set pine nuts aside, then pour balsamic vinegar into the saucepan.
  • Turn the heat up to medium until the vinegar begins to simmer, then reduce the heat to just high enough to maintain a very light simmer.
  • Cook down the balsamic vinegar until about 3 tablespoon remains, then pour it into the pot with your drained pasta, mixing to combine.
  • Pour olive oil into the saucepan and place it on the stove over low heat.
  • Add the garlic and cook, stirring frequently for 1 minute.
  • Add stock to the pot, then bring to a boil.
  • Reduce to a simmer and cook for ~5 minutes.
  • Season the stock with salt and pepper, then pour it over the pasta.
  • Into the pasta pot add pine nuts and half of the parmesan, then stir to combine.
  • Lightly oil or spray a 9x13 inch baking dish.
  • Distribute pasta evenly into the baking dish, then top with the rest of the parmesan.
  • Bake for 20 minutes.
  • Let the pasta rest for about 5 minutes before diving in.
Keyword balsamic broccoli, balsamic butter, broccoli pasta, easy, oven pasta, Pasta, pine nut pasta, vegetarian
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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Reader Interactions

Comments

    5 from 6 votes (1 rating without comment)

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  1. Pat Canby says

    May 14, 2021 at 9:36 am

    You can substitute roasted walnuts for the pine nuts; they're cheaper and still delicious.

    Reply
    • avidlyravenous says

      May 14, 2021 at 9:44 am

      Thanks Pat, that sounds like a great substitute!

      Reply
  2. Agnieszka says

    May 20, 2021 at 11:04 am

    5 stars
    This recipe combines all the flavors I love, especially pine nuts and parmesan. Will definitely try soon!

    Reply
  3. Jenny says

    May 20, 2021 at 2:59 pm

    5 stars
    Can’t wait to try this delicious recipe! All my favorite flavors!

    Reply
  4. Jeri says

    May 20, 2021 at 6:07 pm

    5 stars
    I love broccoli, pasta, and parmesan! I can't wait to try this with pine nuts!

    Reply
  5. Katie Youngs says

    May 20, 2021 at 8:19 pm

    5 stars
    This pasta recipe sounds delicious!

    Reply
  6. Faith Still says

    May 21, 2021 at 12:01 pm

    5 stars
    Looks delicious! I know my boys would love this...they love pasta, broccoli, and cheese!

    Reply
  7. A reader says

    February 27, 2025 at 5:37 pm

    2 ounces of pinenuts is the equivalent of a quarter of a cup. This recipe is calling for two and three-quarter cups, pine nuts?

    Reply
    • avidlyravenous says

      May 05, 2025 at 8:48 am

      Honestly, I based the amount on how many come in the little bags of pine nuts I buy at the store. Feel free to adjust the amount to your liking!

      Reply

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