Bucatini & Tomato Sauce
with Roasted Broccoli
Made with petite datterini tomatoes, the sauce for tonightʼs bucatini highlights briny olives and capers, hot red pepper flakes, and savory Grana Padano cheese. Weʼre mixing in roasted broccoli for contrasting texture and nutty-sweet flavor.
- 6 oz Bucatini Pasta
- 1 14-Ounce Can Datterini Tomatoes
- 2 cloves Garlic
- 2 Tbsps Butter
- 1 Tbsp Capers
- 1 lb Broccoli
- 3⁄4 oz Grana Padano Cheese
- 1 oz Kalamata Olives
- 1⁄4 tsp Crushed Red Pepper Flakes
- 1 Tbsp Italian Seasoning (Whole Dried Basil, Sage, Oregano, Savory, Rosemary, Thyme, & Marjoram)
1. Prepare & roast the broccoli: Place an oven rack in the center of the oven, then preheat to 450°F. Heat a large pot of salted water to boiling on high. Wash and dry the fresh produce. Cut off and discard the bottom 1/2 inch of the broccoli stem; cut the broccoli into small pieces. Place on a sheet pan. Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt, pepper, and up to half the Italian seasoning (you will have extra); toss to coat. Arrange in an even layer. Roast 22 to 24 minutes, or until browned and tender when pierced with a fork. Remove from the oven.
2. Prepare the remaining ingredients: While the broccoli roasts, peel and roughly chop the garlic. Using the flat side of your knife, smash the olives; remove and discard the pits, then roughly chop. Grate the cheese on the small side of a box grater.
3. While the broccoli continues to roast, add the pasta to the pot of boiling water and cook 8 to 10 minutes, or until al dente (still slightly firm to the bite). Turn off the heat. Reserving 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water, drain thoroughly and return to the pot.
4. In the same pan, heat 1 1/2 tablespoons of olive oil on medium-high until hot. Add the chopped garlic; season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring constantly, 30 seconds to 1 minute, or until fragrant. Add the flour and as much of the red pepper flakes as you’d like, depending on how spicy you’d like the dish to be. Cook, stirring constantly, 30 seconds to 1 minute, or until thoroughly combined. Add the heavy cream (shaking the bottle just before opening), verjus, and 1 1/4 cups of water; season with salt and pepper. Cook, whisking frequently, 2 to 3 minutes, or until thickened; season with salt and pepper to taste.
5. Finish & serve your dish: Add the cooked pasta, cooked broccoli, crème fraîche, and half the reserved pasta cooking water to the pan. Cook, stirring vigorously, 30 seconds to 1 minute, or until the pasta is thoroughly coated. (If the sauce seems dry, gradually add the remaining pasta cooking water to achieve your desired consistency.) Turn off the heat and season with salt and pepper to taste. Garnish the finished pasta with the cheese; season with pepper. Enjoy!