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

Units Scale

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

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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