From the Garden - Broccoli Leaves and Spaghetti Recipe

As you may already know if you follow my blog, I have set up my vegetable garden in April.  My broccoli leaves are getting out of hand. They are covering all the other plants that need sun too.  I needed to cut them back.  I rea,d that you need to cut some of them back so I did that and thought I should be able to cook with them. So, doing some research online, I found that I was able to cook and eat broccoli leaves. Today, I am going to share with you one of my Spaghetti with Broccoli Leaves recipes I tried personally.  

Jump to:

• Can you eat broccoli leaves?
• What Ingredients do I need to make Broccoli Leaves and Spaghetti Recipe?
• How to make Broccoli Leaves and Spaghetti recipe?
• Where do you find broccoli leaves?
• Tips on making this recipe.
• Tools I used for this recipe.
• Broccoli Leaves and Spaghetti Recipe Card

Can you eat broccoli leaves?

While researching this article from The Food Network, I found that I can eat broccoli leaves. YAY! I was so happy to know this since I needed to cut them back to grow my broccoli.

You can cook them like kale, spinach, and Swiss chard. Be sure to cut out the stems as you do with these vegetables.

What Ingredients do I need to make Broccoli Leaves and Spaghetti Recipe?

5 cups of broccoli leaves cut Julienne style from your garden or purchased at a farm
3 teaspoon crushed Garlic
2 tablespoon Butter
½ cup of Olive Oil (Affiliate Link)
1 teaspoon Red pepper flakes
12 oz Gluten-Free or Regular Spaghetti
Salt / Pepper

How to make Broccoli Leaves and Spaghetti recipe?

Boil the water and add salt to the spaghetti. Follow the instructions on the box of pasta.

In a skillet, add olive oil (Affiliate Link), red pepper flakes, and crushed garlic and sauté for a few minutes. Don't let the garlic burn. Pour about 75% of the cooked mixture into a heat-resistant measuring cup (Affiliate Link). Leave 25% of the mix in the skillet.

To cut the broccoli leaves, cut out the stem as you would with Kale and Julienne the leaves.

Extra Step: (Can be omitted if you want)

To add an extra layer to make the broccoli leaves taste better, try this extra step.

Blanch the Broccoli leaves in boiling water for a few minutes to soften. Then remove and dry on a paper towel or clean tea towel. Then proceed to the next step.

Add the broccoli leaves Julienne style to the olive oil (Affiliate Link) mixture on medium heat. Saute for about 5-7 minutes or until wilted, like below. Turn off the flame and let it sit.

Then, add the cooked spaghetti to the skillet and toss the spaghetti while adding the reserved olive oil (Affiliate Link) mixture. Coat the spaghetti and then let it sit just for a few minutes. Add Parmigiana or Romano cheese.

Here is the finished Spaghetti and Broccoli Leaves dish. Enjoy!

Where do you find broccoli leaves?

Usually, you can purchase broccoli and its leaves if you go to a farm. You can also grow broccoli in your garden, and you will have ample broccoli leaves to make this dish.

Tips on making this recipe.

Be sure to remove the thick stems in the center of the broccoli leaves. They will not soften. Cut them out with a knife and then julienne the leaves.

Tools I used for this recipe.

Tools are key when making this and any recipe. Below are the items I used while making this recipe. I used a chef's knife (Affiliate Link), a cutting board (Affiliate Link), and a skillet, plus a saucepan for the pasta. These links are some I found on Amazon (affiliate); if you purchase after you click through, I will receive a small referral fee.

Chef Knife - Sharp Kitchen Knife 8 Inch

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Cutting Board Extra Large Bamboo 18"x12"

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Cast Iron Skillet by Lodge -12 Inch

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8 Quart KitchenAid Stainless Steel Stockpot with Measuring Marks and Lid

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(Affiliate Link)

Here is the recipe if you want to print it out. 

Print

It's a great easy dish for weeknight meals. I hope you try it and share it with your friends and family! Feel free to visit our other pasta recipes.

Visit our other healthy pasta recipe.

Looking for a great pasta cookbook? Check out this one on Amazon!

Cookbook: Mastering Pasta: The Art and Practice of Handmade Pasta, Gnocchi, and Risotto

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Cookbook: Essentials of Classic Italian Cooking: 30th Anniversary Edition

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(Affiliate Link)

Please note these are affiliate links through Amazon, and at no additional cost, I will earn affiliate fees if you decide to make a purchase.