Imagine a dish that transforms ordinary pasta into a mouthwatering vegan sensation that will make even meat-lovers do a double-take! This Vegan Broccoli Pasta with Almond Bacon is not just a meal; it's a culinary adventure that proves plant-based eating can be incredibly delicious, quick, and satisfying. In just 25 minutes, you'll create a restaurant-worthy dish that's packed with flavor, nutrition, and pure plant-powered magic that will have your taste buds dancing and your dinner guests begging for the recipe.
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 15 mins
Total Time: 25 mins
Cuisine: Vegan
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 8 oz pasta
- 2 cups broccoli florets
- 1/2 cup almond bacon
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil over high heat. Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, typically 8-10 minutes.
- While the pasta is cooking, prepare the broccoli florets by washing them thoroughly and cutting into bite-sized pieces.
- In the last 3 minutes of pasta cooking, add the broccoli florets directly to the boiling water to blanch them, ensuring they remain bright green and crisp-tender.
- Drain the pasta and broccoli in a colander, reserving about 1/4 cup of pasta water for potential sauce adjustment.
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 30-45 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
- Add the drained pasta and broccoli to the skillet, tossing gently to coat with garlic and olive oil.
- Sprinkle almond bacon over the pasta, stirring to distribute evenly. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- If the pasta seems dry, add a small amount of reserved pasta water to create a light, glossy coating.
- Serve immediately in warm plates, ensuring an even distribution of broccoli and almond bacon throughout the dish.
Tips
- Pasta Perfection: Always salt your pasta water generously - it's the secret to flavoring your pasta from the inside out.
- Broccoli Blanching Trick: Adding broccoli to the pasta water in the last 3 minutes ensures it stays vibrant green and maintains a perfect crisp-tender texture.
- Garlic Wisdom: Watch your garlic carefully when sautéing - 30-45 seconds is the sweet spot to release flavor without burning.
- Sauce Rescue: Keep that reserved pasta water! It's liquid gold for adjusting sauce consistency and adding a silky texture to your dish.
- Almond Bacon Distribution: Sprinkle almond bacon evenly to ensure every bite has a delightful crunch and smoky flavor.
- Serving Suggestion: Serve immediately on warm plates to keep the pasta at the perfect temperature and maintain its fresh, appetizing appearance.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 350kcal
Carbohydrates: 45g
Protein: 12g
Fat: 15g
Saturated Fat: 2g
Cholesterol: 0mg
