Description
This creamy and cheesy broccoli pasta recipe combines tender pasta and fresh broccoli in a luscious cheddar and parmesan sauce. It’s a quick and comforting meal perfect for busy weeknights, delivering rich flavors and a satisfying texture in just 25 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Vegetables
- 8 ounces medium pasta (penne or rotini, approx 3 cups dry)
- 4 cups broccoli, chopped
Sauce
- 1 cup chicken broth (not low sodium)
- 1 cup light cream
- 2 tablespoons + 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon garlic salt
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- ¼ cup parmesan cheese, shredded
- ¼ teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- ¼ teaspoon pepper (or to taste)
Instructions
- Prepare the Pasta and Broccoli: Bring a large saucepan of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to the package directions until al dente. In the last 4 minutes of cooking, add the chopped broccoli to the boiling water with the pasta. Once done, drain the pasta and broccoli but do not rinse to retain starch for the sauce. Set aside.
- Make the Sauce: Using the same saucepan, whisk together the chicken broth, light cream, cornstarch, onion powder, and garlic salt. Place the pan over medium heat and bring the mixture to a simmer, whisking constantly until it boils and thickens to a creamy consistency.
- Combine: Remove the sauce from the heat and stir in the shredded cheddar and parmesan cheeses until they melt smoothly into the sauce. Add the cooked pasta and broccoli back into the sauce, stirring gently to evenly coat everything. Season with salt and pepper to your taste. Serve immediately for best texture and flavor.
Notes
- Do not rinse the pasta and broccoli after draining; this helps the sauce adhere better.
- Use sharp cheddar for a bold, creamy flavor, and don’t skip the parmesan for depth.
- If the sauce is too thick, whisk in a splash of chicken broth or cream to adjust.
- Vegetarian substitute: use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
- For extra protein, add cooked chicken or crispy bacon pieces when combining.
