Cavatelli pasta with fresh broccoli florets tossed in a creamy pink vodka sauce makes a deliciously quick dinner.
The classic recipe for cavatelli with broccoli in garlic and olive oil is one of our favorite weeknight meals. By adding some pink vodka sauce instead, it really takes this favorite Italian dish to a whole other level!
It's one of those meals that can be ready in about 30 minutes; which is great when you're short on time. The best part of this recipe is that I use shortcuts to speed up the process even more. ~Enjoy!
Suggested Equipment
Ingredients Needed
To make this recipe you're going to need the following ingredients:
Frozen Cavatelli
Frozen Broccoli Florets: This saves time as all you have to do is defrost them in a microwave cooker with a little water; then drain. They also sell florets in steamable bags too so you can cook them in its own packaging.
Prepared Vodka Sauce: You can make homemade vodka sauce or use your favorite jar of marinara sauce, add some heavy cream, vodka and crushed red pepper. Homemade will yield extra sauce; which can be frozen for later use.
Grated or Shaved Pecorino Romano Cheese (optional garnish)
Boil the Cavatelli
Start by bringing a large pot of water with a dash of salt to a rolling boil; then add the cavatelli and cook 5-7 minutes until they start to float to the top. Drain the water; then place the cavatelli back into the pot.
Heat the Vodka Sauce
While the water is coming to a boil, heat the prepared vodka sauce in a medium saucepan over high heat; approximately 3 minutes.
If using jar sauce, add about ¼ cup of heavy cream, ¼ cup of vodka and ¼ teaspoon of crushed red pepper.
Steam the Broccoli
Add the frozen broccoli florets to a microwave cooker, add about ¼ cup of water and cook on high for 5 minutes until the broccoli is defrosted. Drain the water.
Assemble the Cavatelli with Broccoli
Add the cooked broccoli and the heated vodka sauce to the pot with the cooked cavatelli; then toss to coat. Place in a serving bowl and top with some shaved or grated Pecorino Romano cheese.
VISIT THE RECIPE INDEX TO SEARCH FOR MORE RECIPES BY CATEGORY.
More Cavatelli Recipes
- Cavatelli with Brown Butter, Walnuts and Sage
- Florentine Baked Cavatelli with Ground Turkey
- Cavatelli and Broccoli
- Homemade Ricotta Cavatelli
- Basil and Calabrian Chile Cavatelli
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Cavatelli with Broccoli in a Pink Vodka Sauce
Equipment
- Microwave Cooker
Ingredients
- 24 ounces frozen cavatelli
- 12 ounces frozen broccoli florets
- 2 cups prepared vodka sauce
- (optional) grated or shaved pecorino romano cheese
Instructions
- Start by bringing a large pot of water with a dash of salt to a rolling boil; then add the cavatelli and cook 5-7 minutes until they start to float to the top. Drain the water; then place the cavatelli back into the pot.
- While the water is coming to a boil, heat the prepared vodka sauce in a medium saucepan over high heat; approximately 3 minutes.
- Add the frozen broccoli florets to a microwave cooker, add about ¼ cup of water and cook on high for 5 minutes until the broccoli is defrosted. Drain the water.
- Add the cooked broccoli and the heated vodka sauce to the pot with the cooked cavatelli; then toss to coat. Place in a serving bowl and top with some shaved or grated Pecorino Romano cheese.
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