Description
Creamy Broccoli Pasta delivers cozy, family-friendly flavor in a quick weeknight skillet. This one-pot pasta combines tender noodles, bright broccoli, and a rich parmesan sauce that clings to every bite. Ready in about 30 minutes, it’s a satisfying vegetarian dinner that cleans up fast and feels special enough for weekend comfort. A pinch of red pepper flakes or fresh parsley adds color and a pop of aroma for everyday weeknights.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz pasta (penne, rotini, or fusilli)
- 3 cups broccoli florets
- 2 tbsp butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups milk
- 1 cup vegetable broth
- ½ tsp black pepper
- Salt, to taste
- ¾ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ tsp Italian seasoning
- Optional: red pepper flakes or fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- In a large pot or deep skillet, melt butter over medium heat.
- Add garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Pour in milk and vegetable broth, then season with salt and pepper.
- Add uncooked pasta and bring to a gentle simmer.
- Cook for 8–10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Add broccoli florets and continue cooking 3–5 minutes until pasta is tender.
- Stir in Parmesan cheese and Italian seasoning until creamy and smooth.
- Remove from heat and let sit 1–2 minutes to thicken.
- Garnish with red pepper flakes or fresh parsley if desired and serve warm.
Notes
- Make sure to stir frequently to prevent sticking as the sauce thickens.
- You can substitute dairy with almond milk and nutritional yeast for a vegan version.
- For extra richness, add an extra tablespoon of butter or a splash of cream.
- Leftovers reheat well—store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: One-Pot
- Cuisine: Italian-inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1/4 of recipe)
- Calories: ~540 kcal
- Sugar: ~6 g
- Sodium: ~650 mg
- Fat: ~22 g
- Saturated Fat: ~12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: ~8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: ~68 g
- Fiber: ~6 g
- Protein: ~22 g
- Cholesterol: ~110 mg
Keywords: Creamy Broccoli Pasta, one-pot pasta, vegetarian weeknight dinner, 30-minute pasta, broccoli pasta, easy pasta recipe, Italian-inspired pasta