This Rotini with Broccolini and Sun-Dried Tomatoes recipe takes about 25 minutes to make, start to finish. Prep time included. I felt the need to state that right off the bat—25 minutes! For a delicious home cooked dinner!
One thing I never hear people say is, "You know what I need? I need some complicated recipes that take a lot of time to make. And they should have really long lists of ingredients too!" No, everyone wants easy. Not Taco Bell easy, but who wants to come home from work and spend 2 hours cooking dinner? No one! I'm a food blogger and cooking is kind of my job and even I don't like spending too much time on one meal.
So this recipe is simple. And there aren't many ingredients either. (Woo hoo!) Although I made this with whole wheat rotini, you can use any kind of pasta you have on hand. If you don't want to buy broccolini, use a crown of broccoli instead. You can sub out the pine nuts with walnuts or almonds. This recipe is agreeable like that.
Quick Recipes
Are you looking for more 30 minute or less recipes? Well hey, I just happen to have some! Here are 10 more quick, easy meal ideas:
Oh-So-Easy Broccoli Cheddar Pot Pies
Baby Bella and Kale Casserole
Thai Red Curry Soup
French Bread Pizza with Pesto & Sun-Dried Tomatoes
Spicy Mango Pizza with Black Beans & Zucchini
Stovetop Pesto Mac
Loaded Veggie Nachos with Portabella Mushroom Meat
Veggie & Tempeh Sloppy Joes
Pear & Sharp Cheddar Grilled Cheese Sandwich
Mushroom & Zucchini Quesadillas with Cilantro Pesto
Do you have a favorite quick, easy vegetarian recipe? Share it in the comments below—links are welcome!
Ingredients
- 8 oz whole wheat rotini
- 1 bunch broccolini ends trimmed
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic sliced
- ¼ cup pine nuts
- pinch crushed red pepper flakes optional
- ½ cup sliced sun-dried tomatoes
- salt + pepper to taste
- Parmesan cheese shaved or shredded (as much or as little as you like)
Instructions
- Cook rotini according to instructions on package. One minute before cook time is finished, drop broccolini into pot. Drain and set aside.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add garlic and cook for about 2 minutes, until fragrant. Stir in pine nuts and red pepper flakes (if using) and cook about 2 minutes more. Stir in sun-dried tomatoes, pasta and broccolini, and season with salt and pepper.
- Remove from heat. Divide into bowls and garnish with shaved Parmesan cheese.
Anele @ Success Along the Weigh says
Yum! The addition of pine nuts always makes me think fancy pants but I'm pretty sure that's just me.
Kiersten says
I have to admit, usually when a recipe calls for pine nuts, I substitute it with something cheaper. But I found a huge bag of pine nuts for really cheap, so I've been going to town with them lately. Going. To. Town.
Robyn Stone | Add a Pinch says
Such a gorgeous recipe! I know my family would love this!
Dulcie @ two tarts says
This looks great... And my fancy-pants 3-year-old loves pine nuts so that is a win!
Kiersten says
Ha! You have clearly raised him right. 🙂
Cassie | Bake Your Day says
Making this for dinner tonight. So good, Kiersten!
Kiersten says
Yay! I hope you like it. 🙂
Caitlin says
i feel the same way. i HATE complicated recipes that have a million ingredients and long prep and cook times. i'm a simple girl who likes to be eating 45 minutes after entering the kitchen.
i love broccolini but never think to buy it. i can imagine it tasting perfect with the sun-dried tomatoes. i'm making a note to pick those up at the grocery store this week!
Kiersten says
Yeah, 9 times out of 10, if I see a recipe with a loooong list of ingredients, I won't make it. I'm sure I'm missing out though. 🙂
Jeanette says
I love how quick, easy and healthy this recipe is! I haven't made broccolini in a while, but am going to hunt for it this week.
[email protected] says
What a great way to perk-up this dreary winter day. 🙂
Georgia @ The Comfort of Cooking says
This looks so delicious, Kiersten! Lovely meatless meal. Gotta try it soon!
a farmer in the dell says
I make a similar pasta. So simple and delicious. You have inspired me to make it soon! happy monday!
Averie @ Averie Cooks says
the veggies are so gorgeous that they almost look fake! your photography is just stunning! and so is the recipe! love sundrieds!
Kiersten says
Thank you! It was such a gray, icky day out, I was sure the pictures would be terrible--I was pleasantly surprised when I opened them up to edit!
Maria Tadic says
You're hilarious! I don't like spending that much time in the kitchen either... plus I feel like the more time in there, the more dishes are used. And dish washing.... not a fan!
Kiersten says
My husband and I made a deal when we first moved in together--I cook, he does the dishes. It works out pretty well. 🙂
Robin (Masshole Mommy) says
I love dishes like this. I rarely make them at home, but I often order things like this when I go out to eat.
Jackie @ Domestic Fits says
Ha! You're so funny, I always feel like I have to apologize to people for my long and complicated recipes because apparently not everyone wants to spend all day in the kitchen (whaaaaa?) But I can always use a great quick meal too. This is beautiful!
Kiersten says
I always feel bad when I post something that has a lot of steps. I'm particularly fond of roasting ingredients beforehand, caramelizing onions or shallots, etc. I can just see people rolling their eyes at me from behind their computer screens. And FWIW, I don't think your recipes are complicated!
Liz @ A Nut in a Nutshell says
Pinned and will be eaten stat. Good Lawd, you know your way around some food!
Kiersten says
Well thank you! 😀
[email protected]'s Recipes says
Simplicity at its BEST! The photos really have me DROOL...
Batya says
25 minutes?! Hey, I've got 25 minutes. Looks delicious! Thanks, Kiersten.
Natalie @ Once Upon a Cutting Board says
I've never tried broccolini but if it tastes as good as it looks in these photos, I need to change that! Love inexpensive but tasty dishes like this!
Kiersten says
It's so good! It's like a more mild, tender form of broccoli.
Stephanie @ henry happened says
yay for easy recipes! And pasta is always a winner in my book - though I oddly dislike rotini. I'm a penne gal. And I thought your chili was pretty darn easy too - and it only took about 30 minutes!
Kiersten says
I feel that way about spaghetti! I don't know why. I mean, pasta is pasta, right? It's made with the same ingredients! So why do I like every other shape of pasta, but I find spaghetti completely unappetizing?
DessertForTwo says
I have a complaint. This recipe is too simple, too quick, and too easy. Kidding! I love this meal! I adore broccolini, thanks for reminding me to buy some next grocery run 🙂
Kiersten says
Ha! Sadly, I was kind of half expecting a serious comment like that. 😉
Shirley says
I love broccolini and sundried tomatoes! Yum, I could see eating this on a busy night. I buy the whole wheat rotini, but I wish they'd branch out beyond the 4 whole wheat pasta shapes.
Kiersten says
That's so funny, I was thinking the same thing when I bought the rotini! Well, there are some more expensive brands that have different shapes at my grocery store, but I'm too cheap to buy them. 🙂 So rotini it is!
mjskit says
Easy and so good! We love eating vegetarian pasta recipes like this! Looks delicious!
Anna @ Hidden Ponies says
I love weeknight dinners like this - perfect!
Daria says
I love whole wheat pasta, although all my life I have been eating white pasta. Now, I can't even imagine going back to it. And I love broccoli:) So I will probably try this recipe:D Beautiful photos, by the way .
Kiersten says
I hope you like it! 🙂 It seems like a lot of people dislike whole wheat pasta, but I'm with you--I prefer it!
Alison @ Ingredients, Inc. says
great looking girl
Carolyn says
I can honestly say that I have never used broccolini at home. I should, though, it always looks so good!
Kiersten says
I kind of forget about broccolini. I almost made this with broccoli, but then I thought, hey, I'll use broccolini instead! I don't know why I don't cook with it more often...