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Whole-Wheat Penne with Broccolini and Chèvre

Whole-Wheat Penne with Broccolini and Chèvre

By Diane UngerOctober 16, 2017

  • Makes
    4 servings
  • Cook Time
    40 minutes

Tangy fresh goat cheese and fruity extra-virgin olive oil create a light but creamy sauce for pasta and broccolini. Meanwhile, lemony toasted breadcrumbs add a pleasing textural contrast as well as a bright flavor accent. If you can't find Broccolini, sometimes called “baby broccoli,” substitute an equal weight of broccoli florets.

Tip

Don't use cold goat cheese; it needs to be at room temperature to combine with the oil. Also, don't boil the pasta until al dente; it should still be very firm when drained, as it will continue cooking in the skillet with the broccolini.

Ingredients
  • 10

    ounces whole-wheat penne rigate

  • Kosher salt

  • 4

    ounces chèvre (fresh goat cheese), room temperature

  • 8

    tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided

  • Ground black pepper

  • ¾

    cup panko breadcrumbs

  • 1

    tablespoon grated lemon zest (2 lemons), plus lemon wedges, to serve

  • 1

    medium yellow onion, finely chopped

  • 8

    garlic cloves, minced

  • 1

    teaspoon red pepper flakes

  • 12-16

    ounces Broccolini, trimmed, large stalks halved lengthwise, cut into 1-inch pieces

Step 1

In a large pot, bring 4 quarts of water to a boil. Stir in the pasta and 2 tablespoons salt, then cook until barely cooked and still quite firm. Reserve 2 cups of the cooking water, then drain the pasta and set aside.

Step 2

Meanwhile, in a small bowl, use a fork to mix the goat cheese, 5 tablespoons of the oil, and ½ teaspoon each of salt and pepper. Set aside. In a 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium, combine 1 tablespoon of the remaining oil and the panko. Cook, stirring occasionally, until light golden brown, 6 to 8 minutes. Stir in ½ teaspoon each salt and pepper, then transfer to a small bowl. Let cool, then stir in the lemon zest. Set aside.

Step 3

Return the skillet to medium and heat the remaining 2 tablespoons oil until shimmering. Add the onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until beginning to brown, about 5 minutes. Stir in the garlic, anchovies and pepper flakes; cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.

Add the Broccolini and ¼ cup of the reserved pasta cooking water and stir. Cover and cook until the Broccolini turns bright green, 30 to 60 seconds. Add the cooked pasta and 1 cup of the reserved pasta water. Cook, stirring frequently, until al dente and the Broccolini is crisp-tender, 3 to 4 minutes.

Step 4

Off heat, add the goat cheese mixture and ⅓ cup of the remaining reserved pasta cooking water. Stir until the pasta is evenly coated, adding more pasta water as needed.

Taste and season with salt and pepper. Transfer to a serving platter and sprinkle with the panko mixture. Serve with lemon wedges.