Description

This one pot dish will become one of your dinner favorites. It has everything that you need for a great meal, meat, pasta and a vegetable. It's simple, quick and clean up is a snap.

Ingredients

• 1 lb. dry rigatoni pasta, or pasta of choice
• 5 T. salt for water
• 1 head fresh broccoli, sliced thinly crosswise very small (or veggie of choice, like frozen peas, cauliflower or asparagus)
• 3/4 lb. smoked pork loin (or smoked ham or smoked turkey), cut into 1/3 inch cubes
• 3 cloves fresh garlic, peeled and sliced thinly
• 1/2 c. extra-virgin olive oil, or to taste, divided
• 1 c. grated Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, or to taste
• salt, to taste
• freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Steps

1. Fill a large pot two-thirds with cold water; bring to a boil; add 5 T. salt; stir in pasta. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. Return to a low boil; cook according to package directions, about 12 minutes. About 3-4 minutes before pasta is done, stir in broccoli; return to a simmer.
2. Test pasta for doneness. Before draining, reserve some of the cooking water. Drain pasta and broccoli; set aside for a minute.
3. Return pot to the burner; add half of the olive oil; add garlic; cook briefly until barely beginning to brown; add meat; stir to heat through. Add the pasta and broccoli to the pot; stir to mix well. Add remaining olive oil and cheese; add some reserved pasta water, a little bit at a time, stirring, until a creamy sauce develops.