Lush & Dreamy: The Velvety Broccoli Pasta Recipe You’ll Love

Creamy sauces and hearty broccoli pasta create a delightful culinary experience that’s both comforting and satisfying.

Weeknight dinner challenges melt away with this simple yet elegant dish.

Tender broccoli florets blend perfectly with al dente pasta, releasing a subtle nutty flavor.

Parmesan cheese adds a rich, salty dimension that elevates every bite.

The recipe balances nutrition and taste with remarkable ease.

Fresh ingredients transform this classic combination into a meal that delights both adults and children.

You’ll be amazed how quickly this delicious pasta comes together in just one pan.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Calories: 450 kcal

Servings: 5

Everything That Goes Into Broccoli Pasta with Cheese

• Pasta: Choose medium-sized pasta shapes that hold sauce well, like penne or fusilli for maximum cheese coverage.
• Broccoli Florets: Select fresh, vibrant green broccoli with tight, compact heads for the best texture and nutrition.

• Butter: Adds rich flavor and helps create a smooth, silky sauce base.
• Garlic: Provides a warm, aromatic kick that enhances the overall dish's depth.
• All-Purpose Flour: Creates a thickening agent for the sauce, ensuring a creamy consistency.
• Milk: Delivers a smooth, velvety texture to the sauce and helps bind ingredients.
• Salt, Black Pepper, Red Pepper Flakes: Balance and elevate the flavor profile with gentle heat and seasoning.

• Cheddar Cheese: Melts beautifully and brings a sharp, tangy flavor to the sauce.
• Parmesan Cheese: Adds a nutty, salty dimension and helps create a luxurious cheese pull.
• Fresh Parsley (Optional): Provides a bright, fresh garnish that adds color and subtle herbal notes.

Kitchen Tools for Broccoli Pasta Night

• Large Pot: Essential for boiling pasta and broccoli, with plenty of space for ingredients.
• Skillet or Saucepan: Perfect for creating the creamy cheese sauce, with even heat distribution.
• Whisk: Key for smoothly blending milk and preventing lumps in the sauce.
• Cutting Board: Needed for chopping garlic and preparing ingredients.
• Chef's Knife: Sharp tool for precise garlic mincing and broccoli cutting.
• Colander: Crucial for draining pasta and broccoli quickly and efficiently.
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Great for stirring sauce and combining final ingredients.

Instructions for Making Cheesy Broccoli Pasta

• Boil Pasta and Broccoli

Toss pasta into bubbling salted water and cook until almost tender. Slide broccoli florets into the pot during the final cooking moments. Drain everything and let sit ready.

• Create Creamy Cheese Base

Melt butter in a spacious pan over gentle heat. Sprinkle minced garlic and sizzle briefly. Dust with flour and swirl around to create a silky foundation.

• Build Luxurious Sauce

Pour milk slowly into the pan, whisking constantly to prevent clumping. Allow sauce to simmer and thicken while stirring attentively.

• Blend Cheesy Goodness

Tumble cheddar and parmesan into the sauce, stirring until gloriously smooth. Season with salt, pepper, and optional spicy red pepper flakes for extra kick.

• Marry Pasta and Sauce

Return pasta and broccoli into the creamy mixture. Gently fold everything together ensuring each morsel gets coated in cheesy deliciousness.

• Serve and Enjoy

Scoop onto plates immediately. Sprinkle extra cheese or fresh parsley on top if desired. Dive in while it’s hot and irresistible!

Ways to Adjust Cheesy Broccoli Pasta Flavor

• Ensure pasta is al dente by tasting 1-2 minutes before package instructions suggest.
• Blanch broccoli for crisp-tender texture that maintains vibrant green color and nutritional value.
• Swap dairy cheese with nutritional yeast or vegan cheese alternatives for plant-based eaters. Use almond or oat milk instead of dairy milk.
• Add grilled chicken, crispy bacon bits, or sautéed shrimp to transform this side dish into a complete meal with extra protein.
• Adjust red pepper flakes to create mild or spicy versions – start with a pinch and increase according to personal heat preference.

How to Serve Broccoli Pasta with Flair

• Comforting Family Dinner Night: Gather everyone around the table and serve this pasta as the star of a cozy weeknight meal, paired with a crisp green salad and warm garlic bread.
• Meal Prep Marvel: Divide portions into meal prep containers for easy lunch options during the week, keeping the sauce separate to maintain the perfect texture when reheating.
• Protein Power-Up: Enhance the dish by adding grilled chicken, crispy bacon bits, or pan-seared shrimp to transform the vegetarian pasta into a hearty protein-packed meal that satisfies bigger appetites.
• Veggie Variety Twist: Experiment by swapping broccoli with roasted cauliflower, asparagus, or mixed seasonal vegetables to keep the recipe exciting and adaptable to what's fresh in your kitchen.

Keeping Broccoli Pasta Fresh Longer

• Store leftovers in an airtight container for 3-4 days. Gently reheat in microwave or stovetop, adding a splash of milk to restore creamy texture.
• Transfer cooled pasta to freezer-safe containers. Freeze up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator and reheat with extra cheese to refresh flavors.
• Chop broccoli and grate cheese in advance. Keep in sealed containers for faster weeknight cooking. Ingredients stay fresh for 2-3 days when properly stored.
• Divide pasta into individual meal-sized containers for easy grab-and-go lunches. Pack cheese sauce separately to maintain optimal texture and prevent soggy pasta.

Velvety Broccoli Pasta Recipe

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4.8 from 31 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Comfort meets elegance in this cheesy and creamy broccoli pasta, blending rich flavors with wholesome ingredients. Simple yet sophisticated, the dish promises a delightful meal that nourishes and satisfies you completely.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 8 ounces (226 grams) pasta (penne, shells, or any short pasta)
• 2 cups (480 milliliters) broccoli florets
• 1 cup (240 milliliters) shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• ½ cup (120 milliliters) grated parmesan cheese
• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) butter
• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) all-purpose flour
• 2 cups (480 milliliters) milk (whole or 2% preferred)
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• Salt and black pepper, to taste
• ¼ teaspoon (1.25 milliliters) crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
• Extra shredded cheese or chopped parsley for topping (optional)

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Instructions

1. Pasta Preparation: Boil a pot of salted water and cook pasta until al dente. Introduce broccoli florets during the final 3 minutes of cooking, ensuring vibrant green color and tender texture. Drain and set aside.
2. Sauce Foundation: In the same pot, melt butter over medium heat. Infuse garlic, sautéing until fragrant. Incorporate flour, creating a golden roux that will thicken the sauce and provide depth of flavor.
3. Liquid Integration: Gradually stream milk into the roux, whisking continuously to prevent lumps. Simmer and stir until the mixture transforms into a velvety, smooth consistency with slight viscosity.
4. Cheese Fusion: Fold in cheddar and parmesan cheeses, stirring until completely melted and integrated. Season with salt, pepper, and optional red pepper flakes for a subtle kick of heat.
5. Final Assembly: Return pasta and broccoli to the cheese sauce, gently tossing to ensure every morsel is luxuriously coated. Warm through, allowing flavors to meld and develop a harmonious profile.
6. Presentation: Transfer to serving dishes, garnishing with additional cheese or chopped parsley for a fresh, vibrant finish. Serve immediately while piping hot and wonderfully creamy.

Notes

• Salt water generously and cook pasta just until al dente to prevent mushiness when mixed with sauce.
• Gradually add milk and whisk continuously to create smooth, lump-free sauce without separation.
• Toast garlic briefly to release aromatic oils and add red pepper flakes for subtle heat and complexity.
• Substitute regular milk with almond or oat milk, use gluten-free pasta, and select low-fat cheese for lighter, allergen-friendly version.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Boiling
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 450
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 12 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 50 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 15 g
• Cholesterol: 60 mg