Name: Creamy Broccoli Pasta
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 20 min
Ingredients: 8 oz pasta of your choice (fettuccine or penne); 2 cups broccoli florets; 1 cup heavy cream; 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese; 2 tablespoons olive oil; 3 cloves garlic, minced; 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional); to taste Salt and pepper; for garnish Fresh parsley, chopped

Are you ready to whip up a meal that’s both simple and delicious? This Creamy Broccoli Pasta is not just easy to make; it’s a dish that will impress your taste buds. Whether you're a busy parent or a student looking for quick comfort food, this recipe is just what you need. Let’s dive into the creamy goodness that combines fresh broccoli, rich sauce, and your choice of pasta. Trust me, you’ll want to keep this recipe on hand!

$- 8 oz (225 g) pasta (fettuccine or penne) - 2 cups broccoli florets - 1 cup heavy cream - 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese - 2 tablespoons olive oil - 3 cloves garlic, minced - 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional) - Salt and pepper to taste - Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish) Gathering the right ingredients is key. Choose your pasta type first. Fettuccine or penne both work well. Next, you'll need fresh broccoli florets. They add a nice crunch and color. Heavy cream makes the sauce rich and smooth. Grated Parmesan cheese gives it a savory kick. You’ll need olive oil to sauté the garlic. Garlic adds a warm flavor that brightens the dish. If you like heat, add red pepper flakes. Adjust salt and pepper to your taste. Lastly, chop some fresh parsley for garnish. This gives your dish a fresh look. All these ingredients combine to create a tasty meal that pleases everyone. {{ingredient_image_1}} To cook the pasta, fill a large pot with salted water. Bring it to a boil over high heat. Add 8 ounces of pasta to the pot. Stir it well to prevent sticking. Cook the pasta according to the package instructions, usually around 8 to 10 minutes. Add 2 cups of broccoli florets during the last 2 minutes of cooking. This helps the broccoli stay bright and crisp. Once the time is up, drain the pasta and broccoli together. Set them aside while you make the sauce. In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat. Add 3 minced garlic cloves to the skillet. Sauté the garlic for about 1 minute. It should smell great but not brown. Next, pour in 1 cup of heavy cream. Bring it to a gentle simmer. Stir in 1 cup of grated Parmesan cheese. Mix until it melts and becomes creamy. If you like spice, add 1 teaspoon of red pepper flakes. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Now, add the drained pasta and broccoli to the creamy sauce. Toss everything well to coat. Let it cook for an additional 1 to 2 minutes. This helps all the flavors blend together. Serve it hot, garnished with chopped fresh parsley for a bright touch. Enjoy your creamy broccoli pasta! To make a creamy sauce, use heavy cream. It gives a rich texture that coats the pasta well. You can also mix in a little pasta water. This helps the sauce cling to the pasta better. For flavor, always taste your sauce. Add salt or pepper as needed. If you like heat, sprinkle in red pepper flakes. This adds a nice kick. To keep broccoli bright and crisp, cook it for a short time. Add the florets to the boiling pasta two minutes before draining. This way, they stay green and crunchy. If you want a different flavor, try roasting or steaming the broccoli. Roasting brings out a sweet taste. Steaming keeps it bright and fresh. Serve Creamy Broccoli Pasta right away for the best taste. You can top it with extra Parmesan cheese for more flavor. Fresh parsley adds color and freshness. If you want a side dish, a simple salad works well. For drinks, a light white wine pairs nicely. It balances the creaminess of the pasta. Pro Tips Perfect Pasta Texture: Make sure to cook the pasta al dente for the best texture. This will ensure it holds up well when mixed with the creamy sauce. Fresh Broccoli Boost: For vibrant color and added nutrients, blanch the broccoli briefly before adding it to the skillet. This will keep it bright green and crisp. Cheese Variations: Experiment with different cheeses like Pecorino Romano or a blend of cheeses for a unique flavor twist in your creamy sauce. Meal Prep Friendly: This dish can be made ahead of time and reheated. Just add a splash of cream or milk when reheating to bring back the creamy consistency. {{image_2}} You can easily add protein to your creamy broccoli pasta. Chicken, shrimp, or tofu all work well. - For chicken, use bite-sized pieces. Cook it in the skillet before adding garlic. - Shrimp cooks fast. Add it after the garlic until it turns pink. - For tofu, press and cube it first. Sauté it until golden before mixing in. Adjust the cooking time based on your choice. Chicken takes longer than shrimp or tofu. If you want a vegetarian or vegan version, there are simple swaps you can make. - Use vegetable broth instead of cream. It keeps the dish rich and tasty. - Swap Parmesan with nutritional yeast or a vegan cheese. This makes it dairy-free. You can still enjoy a creamy texture with these changes. Get creative by changing up the flavors in your pasta. - Different cheeses can change the taste. Try mozzarella or goat cheese for a twist. - Experiment with herbs and spices. Basil and oregano add nice notes. These variations can make each meal unique and exciting. Enjoy mixing and matching to find your favorite! To keep your creamy broccoli pasta fresh, store leftovers in an airtight container. Make sure it cools down first. This helps prevent sogginess. Place the container in the fridge. It stays good for about 3 days. When reheating, use the stove for best results. Add a splash of cream or water to keep it moist. Heat it slowly over low heat. Stir it often to prevent sticking. You can also use a microwave. Cover it loosely and heat in short bursts. Check often to avoid overcooking. If you want to freeze creamy broccoli pasta, start by letting it cool completely. Then, place it in a freezer-safe container. Make sure to remove as much air as possible. This helps to avoid freezer burn. It can last in the freezer for up to 2 months. To thaw, move it to the fridge overnight. Reheat it on the stove with a bit of cream or water. Heat it slowly until hot. Stir well to mix everything again. This way, your pasta stays creamy and delicious. What pasta works best for this recipe? You can use any pasta you like. I suggest fettuccine or penne. They hold the sauce well. Can I make this recipe ahead of time? Yes, you can prepare the sauce and cook the pasta earlier. Just mix them when ready to serve. How long can leftovers be stored in the fridge? Leftovers can last for about three days in the fridge. Store them in an airtight container. Is there a gluten-free option for this recipe? Absolutely! Choose gluten-free pasta for a tasty alternative. The sauce remains the same. This blog post covered how to make a creamy broccoli pasta dish. You learned about key ingredients, including pasta, broccoli, and cream. I shared steps for cooking the pasta, making the sauce, and combining everything. Tips for perfecting flavor and serving were also included. In summary, this dish is easy and flexible. You can switch up ingredients or flavors. Enjoy creating your own version of creamy broccoli pasta. Happy cooking!$

Why I Love This Recipe

Quick and Easy: This creamy broccoli pasta comes together in just 20 minutes, making it a perfect weeknight dinner option.
Healthier Comfort Food: With fresh broccoli and a rich creamy sauce, this dish strikes a balance between indulgence and nutrition.
Versatile Ingredients: You can easily customize this recipe by using different types of pasta or adding protein like chicken or shrimp.
Delicious Flavor: The combination of garlic, Parmesan, and a hint of spice creates a mouthwatering sauce that coats the pasta beautifully.

Ingredients

List of Ingredients

8 oz (225 g) pasta (fettuccine or penne)
2 cups broccoli florets
1 cup heavy cream
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons olive oil
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Salt and pepper to taste
Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Gathering the right ingredients is key. Choose your pasta type first. Fettuccine or penne both work well. Next, you'll need fresh broccoli florets. They add a nice crunch and color.

Heavy cream makes the sauce rich and smooth. Grated Parmesan cheese gives it a savory kick. You’ll need olive oil to sauté the garlic. Garlic adds a warm flavor that brightens the dish.

If you like heat, add red pepper flakes. Adjust salt and pepper to your taste. Lastly, chop some fresh parsley for garnish. This gives your dish a fresh look. All these ingredients combine to create a tasty meal that pleases everyone.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Cooking the Pasta and Broccoli

To cook the pasta, fill a large pot with salted water. Bring it to a boil over high heat. Add 8 ounces of pasta to the pot. Stir it well to prevent sticking. Cook the pasta according to the package instructions, usually around 8 to 10 minutes.

Add 2 cups of broccoli florets during the last 2 minutes of cooking. This helps the broccoli stay bright and crisp. Once the time is up, drain the pasta and broccoli together. Set them aside while you make the sauce.

Making the Cream Sauce

In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat. Add 3 minced garlic cloves to the skillet. Sauté the garlic for about 1 minute. It should smell great but not brown.

Next, pour in 1 cup of heavy cream. Bring it to a gentle simmer. Stir in 1 cup of grated Parmesan cheese. Mix until it melts and becomes creamy. If you like spice, add 1 teaspoon of red pepper flakes. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Combining Ingredients

Now, add the drained pasta and broccoli to the creamy sauce. Toss everything well to coat. Let it cook for an additional 1 to 2 minutes. This helps all the flavors blend together. Serve it hot, garnished with chopped fresh parsley for a bright touch. Enjoy your creamy broccoli pasta!

Tips & Tricks

Perfecting the Cream Sauce

To make a creamy sauce, use heavy cream. It gives a rich texture that coats the pasta well. You can also mix in a little pasta water. This helps the sauce cling to the pasta better. For flavor, always taste your sauce. Add salt or pepper as needed. If you like heat, sprinkle in red pepper flakes. This adds a nice kick.

Cooking Tips for Broccoli

To keep broccoli bright and crisp, cook it for a short time. Add the florets to the boiling pasta two minutes before draining. This way, they stay green and crunchy. If you want a different flavor, try roasting or steaming the broccoli. Roasting brings out a sweet taste. Steaming keeps it bright and fresh.

Serving Suggestions

Serve Creamy Broccoli Pasta right away for the best taste. You can top it with extra Parmesan cheese for more flavor. Fresh parsley adds color and freshness. If you want a side dish, a simple salad works well. For drinks, a light white wine pairs nicely. It balances the creaminess of the pasta.

Pro Tips

Perfect Pasta Texture: Make sure to cook the pasta al dente for the best texture. This will ensure it holds up well when mixed with the creamy sauce.
Fresh Broccoli Boost: For vibrant color and added nutrients, blanch the broccoli briefly before adding it to the skillet. This will keep it bright green and crisp.
Cheese Variations: Experiment with different cheeses like Pecorino Romano or a blend of cheeses for a unique flavor twist in your creamy sauce.
Meal Prep Friendly: This dish can be made ahead of time and reheated. Just add a splash of cream or milk when reheating to bring back the creamy consistency.

Variations

Adding Protein

You can easily add protein to your creamy broccoli pasta. Chicken, shrimp, or tofu all work well.

For chicken, use bite-sized pieces. Cook it in the skillet before adding garlic.
Shrimp cooks fast. Add it after the garlic until it turns pink.
For tofu, press and cube it first. Sauté it until golden before mixing in.

Adjust the cooking time based on your choice. Chicken takes longer than shrimp or tofu.

Vegetarian and Vegan Options

If you want a vegetarian or vegan version, there are simple swaps you can make.

Use vegetable broth instead of cream. It keeps the dish rich and tasty.
Swap Parmesan with nutritional yeast or a vegan cheese. This makes it dairy-free.

You can still enjoy a creamy texture with these changes.

Flavor Variations

Get creative by changing up the flavors in your pasta.

Different cheeses can change the taste. Try mozzarella or goat cheese for a twist.
Experiment with herbs and spices. Basil and oregano add nice notes.

These variations can make each meal unique and exciting. Enjoy mixing and matching to find your favorite!

Storage Info

Best Storage Practices

To keep your creamy broccoli pasta fresh, store leftovers in an airtight container. Make sure it cools down first. This helps prevent sogginess. Place the container in the fridge. It stays good for about 3 days.

When reheating, use the stove for best results. Add a splash of cream or water to keep it moist. Heat it slowly over low heat. Stir it often to prevent sticking. You can also use a microwave. Cover it loosely and heat in short bursts. Check often to avoid overcooking.

Freezing Creamy Broccoli Pasta

If you want to freeze creamy broccoli pasta, start by letting it cool completely. Then, place it in a freezer-safe container. Make sure to remove as much air as possible. This helps to avoid freezer burn. It can last in the freezer for up to 2 months.

To thaw, move it to the fridge overnight. Reheat it on the stove with a bit of cream or water. Heat it slowly until hot. Stir well to mix everything again. This way, your pasta stays creamy and delicious.

FAQs

Common Questions about Creamy Broccoli Pasta

What pasta works best for this recipe?

You can use any pasta you like. I suggest fettuccine or penne. They hold the sauce well.

Can I make this recipe ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the sauce and cook the pasta earlier. Just mix them when ready to serve.

How long can leftovers be stored in the fridge?

Leftovers can last for about three days in the fridge. Store them in an airtight container.

Is there a gluten-free option for this recipe?

Absolutely! Choose gluten-free pasta for a tasty alternative. The sauce remains the same.

This blog post covered how to make a creamy broccoli pasta dish. You learned about key ingredients, including pasta, broccoli, and cream. I shared steps for cooking the pasta, making the sauce, and combining everything. Tips for perfecting flavor and serving were also included.

In summary, this dish is easy and flexible. You can switch up ingredients or flavors. Enjoy creating your own version of creamy broccoli pasta. Happy cookin

Creamy Broccoli Pasta

A delicious and creamy pasta dish with broccoli and Parmesan cheese.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 10

Total Time 20

Servings 4

Ingredients

8 oz pasta of your choice (fettuccine or penne)
2 cups broccoli florets
1 cup heavy cream
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons olive oil
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
to taste Salt and pepper
for garnish Fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions

Begin by cooking the pasta according to package instructions in a large pot of salted boiling water. Add the broccoli florets to the pot during the last 2 minutes of cooking, then drain both the pasta and broccoli together. Set aside.
In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
Pour in the heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese, mixing until melted and combined into a creamy sauce.
If you like a little heat, add the red pepper flakes at this stage, along with salt and pepper to taste.
Add the cooked pasta and broccoli to the creamy sauce, tossing well to coat all the ingredients. Allow cooking for an additional 1-2 minutes, until everything is heated through.
Serve immediately, garnished with freshly chopped parsley for a pop of color and freshness.

Notes

For added heat, include red pepper flakes.

Keyword broccoli, creamy, parmesan, pasta

Creamy Broccoli Pasta Simple and Tasty Delight

Why I Love This Recipe