This Creamy Broccoli Pasta recipe is the ultimate comfort food, combining tender pasta shells with fresh broccoli and a rich, cheesy garlic sauce—all cooked together in one pot for easy cleanup. Whether you’re looking for a simple weeknight dinner or a family-friendly meal, this dish offers a perfect blend of flavors with minimal effort. The creamy sauce made from Parmesan and half-and-half is delicately seasoned with a hint of lemon juice, thyme, oregano, and parsley, creating a dish that’s both rich and refreshing. This one-pot wonder will quickly become a favorite in your household!
Ingredients
- 4 Tablespoons butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups chicken broth (or vegetable broth for a vegetarian version)
- 1 ¼ cups half and half (can substitute with a mix of milk and cream)
- ½ lb. medium pasta shells
- ¼ teaspoon EACH: onion powder, dried thyme, salt
- ½ teaspoon EACH: dried oregano, dried parsley
- 3 ½ cups broccoli florets, uncooked
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice
- ¾ cup Parmesan cheese, finely grated into a powder
Instructions
- Prepare ingredients: Begin by measuring out and preparing all your ingredients. It’s helpful to chop the broccoli into smaller florets so that they cook evenly and quickly. This process is called “mise en place.”
- Sauté garlic: In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute, until fragrant.
- Add liquids and seasonings: Pour in the chicken broth, half and half, and add the onion powder, thyme, oregano, parsley, and salt. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil.
- Cook pasta: Add the uncooked pasta shells to the skillet. Submerge them completely in the liquid and let the mixture return to a boil. Cook the pasta according to the package instructions, partially covered, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Add broccoli: About 6 minutes before the pasta is done, add the broccoli florets to the skillet. Stir gently and allow them to cook with the pasta.
- Check doneness: Remove the cover and taste a pasta shell to check for doneness. If it needs more time, cover again and continue cooking for another minute or two.
- Finish with cheese: Remove the skillet from the heat. Stir in the lemon juice and gently fold in the Parmesan cheese until well combined. The sauce will thicken slightly as it cools.
- Serve: Garnish the pasta with fresh parsley and serve immediately with garlic bread for a satisfying meal.
Cooking Tips
- Cut broccoli small: Smaller broccoli florets will cook faster, ensuring that everything is done at the same time.
- Stir frequently: Use a silicone spatula to stir the pasta and prevent it from sticking to the bottom of the skillet.
- Adjust creaminess: If you prefer a thinner sauce, you can add a bit more broth or half and half at the end.
- Use fresh Parmesan: For the best flavor and texture, grate your Parmesan cheese freshly instead of using pre-packaged grated cheese.
Nutritional Benefits
- Broccoli: High in fiber, vitamins C and K, and packed with antioxidants, broccoli supports a healthy immune system and digestion.
- Parmesan: Rich in calcium and protein, Parmesan cheese adds essential nutrients along with its savory flavor.
- Garlic: Known for its anti-inflammatory properties, garlic can help boost your immune system.
- Half and Half: Provides a creamy texture and contains essential fats needed for energy.
- Pasta: Offers a source of carbohydrates that provide energy and help fuel your day.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- One-pot simplicity: Everything is made in one skillet, making cleanup quick and easy.
- Rich and creamy: The combination of butter, Parmesan, and half and half creates a luscious, velvety sauce that clings to every bite of pasta.
- Vegetable-packed: The fresh broccoli adds a nutritional boost, and you can easily swap in other veggies like spinach or peas if you prefer.
- Customizable: This recipe is easy to adapt—substitute with gluten-free pasta, or swap the chicken broth for vegetable broth to make it vegetarian.
- Family-friendly: Kids and adults alike will love the cheesy goodness of this dish.
Dietary Information
- Vegetarian: Easily made vegetarian by substituting chicken broth with vegetable broth.
- Gluten-free: Use gluten-free pasta shells to make this dish suitable for those with gluten intolerance.
- Low-carb option: Swap pasta with low-carb alternatives like zucchini noodles (zoodles) or cauliflower pasta.
Why This Recipe Works
This recipe works beautifully because it balances the rich, creamy sauce with the freshness of broccoli. Cooking everything in one pot not only saves time but also allows the flavors to meld together perfectly. The garlic and Parmesan create depth in the sauce, while the lemon juice adds a touch of brightness to cut through the creaminess. The pasta absorbs all the savory goodness from the broth, creating a hearty, satisfying meal with minimal effort.
Conclusion
Creamy Broccoli Pasta is a dream dish for anyone who loves comfort food without the fuss. Its one-pot approach means less time spent cooking and cleaning, and more time enjoying a flavorful, filling meal. The combination of creamy sauce, tender pasta, and nutrient-packed broccoli will satisfy your taste buds while nourishing your body. Whether you’re cooking for yourself, your family, or guests, this dish is sure to be a hit. Give it a try, and you’ll see why it’s a staple in busy kitchens!
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Creamy Broccoli Pasta – One Pot Delight
- Total Time: 25mins
Description
This Creamy Broccoli Pasta recipe is the ultimate comfort food, combining tender pasta shells with fresh broccoli and a rich, cheesy garlic sauce—all cooked together in one pot for easy cleanup. Whether you’re looking for a simple weeknight dinner or a family-friendly meal, this dish offers a perfect blend of flavors with minimal effort. The creamy sauce made from Parmesan and half-and-half is delicately seasoned with a hint of lemon juice, thyme, oregano, and parsley, creating a dish that’s both rich and refreshing. This one-pot wonder will quickly become a favorite in your household!
Ingredients
- 4 Tablespoons butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups chicken broth (or vegetable broth for a vegetarian version)
- 1 1/4 cups half and half (can substitute with a mix of milk and cream)
- 1/2 lb. medium pasta shells
- 1/4 teaspoon EACH: onion powder, dried thyme, salt
- 1/2 teaspoon EACH: dried oregano, dried parsley
- 3 1/2 cups broccoli florets, uncooked
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice
- 3/4 cup Parmesan cheese, finely grated into a powder
Instructions
- Prepare ingredients: Begin by measuring out and preparing all your ingredients. It’s helpful to chop the broccoli into smaller florets so that they cook evenly and quickly. This process is called “mise en place.”
- Sauté garlic: In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute, until fragrant.
- Add liquids and seasonings: Pour in the chicken broth, half and half, and add the onion powder, thyme, oregano, parsley, and salt. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil.
- Cook pasta: Add the uncooked pasta shells to the skillet. Submerge them completely in the liquid and let the mixture return to a boil. Cook the pasta according to the package instructions, partially covered, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Add broccoli: About 6 minutes before the pasta is done, add the broccoli florets to the skillet. Stir gently and allow them to cook with the pasta.
- Check doneness: Remove the cover and taste a pasta shell to check for doneness. If it needs more time, cover again and continue cooking for another minute or two.
- Finish with cheese: Remove the skillet from the heat. Stir in the lemon juice and gently fold in the Parmesan cheese until well combined. The sauce will thicken slightly as it cools.
- Serve: Garnish the pasta with fresh parsley and serve immediately with garlic bread for a satisfying meal.
- Prep Time: 10mins
- Cook Time: 15mins