Easy Pasta with Broccoli

This was a favourite 'during the week' dinner for my kids growing up. It's quick and simple to make, has healthy ingredients, and tastes delicious. No baking required, just boil the pasta and cook the broccoli during the last five minutes of boiling. Then add caramelized onions, olive oil and parmesan cheese. Voila!

Ingredients:

12 Oz. of good quality fusilli pasta. I love De Cecco pasta

1 Large Bunch of Broccoli, cut into florets

3-4 Tablespoons of Olive Oil

Sea Salt and Freshly Ground Pepper

1 Medium-Large Onion, diced

1 Small Clove of Garlic, crushed (optional)

1/4 Teaspoon of Chili Pepper Flakes (or more to your taste)

1/2 Cup Parmesan Cheese, grated

Method:

Prepare large pot of boiling salted water for pasta

Meanwhile, heat Olive oil in a medium skillet and add onion and chili flakes

Cook on low until the onions are translucent or caramelized

Add garlic and cook on low for about a minute

Remove from heat

Cook fusilli for about 9 minutes at a good medium boil

While continuing to cook, add the broccoli and cook another 5 minutes

Retain some of the pasta water

Strain pasta and broccoli

Add the olive oil, onion mixture, sea salt and pepper to taste

Toss with parmesan cheese

The whole meal should take about 20 minutes

If you wish, you could add some cooked chicken to change it up.