Cozy Broccoli and Cheese Pasta Recipe for Comfort Nights

Nestled in culinary comfort, this broccoli and cheese pasta delivers a creamy symphony of flavors that dance across your plate.

Hearty green florets intertwine with velvety sauce, creating a harmonious blend of nutrition and indulgence.

Cheese lovers will swoon over the rich, melty texture coating each perfectly cooked noodle.

Simple ingredients come together in a surprisingly elegant dish that feels both familiar and exciting.

Home cooks can whip up this meal faster than ordering takeout, making it a weeknight dinner champion.

Weeknight stress melts away as quickly as the cheese blankets the tender pasta.

You’ll find yourself returning to this recipe again and again, craving its delightful simplicity and satisfying taste.

Why Broccoli And Cheese Pasta Is So Creamy

• Quick and Effortless Meal: This broccoli and cheese pasta recipe is perfect for busy weeknights, requiring minimal preparation and cooking time. You'll have a delicious, creamy meal on the table in just 30 minutes.
• Nutritious Comfort Food: Packed with vegetables and protein-rich cheese, this dish offers a balanced blend of nutrition and indulgence. The combination of broccoli and pasta creates a satisfying meal that both kids and adults will love.
• Versatile Ingredient Swap: The recipe allows easy customization with different cheeses, herbs, or pasta types. You can make it your own by adding protein like chicken or experimenting with alternative vegetables to suit your taste preferences.
• One-Pot Wonder: Minimize kitchen cleanup with this single-pot recipe that streamlines cooking and reduces dish washing. From boiling pasta to creating a creamy sauce, everything comes together seamlessly in one cooking vessel.

Ingredients For Broccoli And Cheese Pasta

• Pasta: A hearty foundation for the dish, provides filling carbohydrates and helps absorb the creamy sauce.
• Broccoli Florets: Adds nutritious green vegetables with a tender-crisp texture and vibrant color.

• Butter: Provides rich flavor and helps create a smooth sauce base.
• Half-and-Half: Contributes creamy consistency and luxurious mouthfeel.
• Cheddar Cheese, Parmesan Cheese: Sharp and tangy cheeses that melt beautifully, creating a rich and complex sauce.

• Garlic: Adds deep, aromatic flavor to the sauce.
• Broth: Provides additional depth and savory undertones.
• Paprika: Offers warm, subtle spiciness and beautiful color.
• Mustard Powder: Brings a subtle tangy kick to the sauce.
• Oregano: Introduces herbal notes and complexity.
• Salt, Pepper: Essential for balancing and enhancing overall flavor.
• Lemon Juice: Adds bright, fresh acidity to cut through the richness.
• Fresh Parsley: Provides a fresh, light garnish with a pop of green color.

How To Cook Broccoli And Cheese Pasta

Step 1: Boil Pasta and Broccoli

• Broccoli florets

Scoop out a cup of the pasta water – this liquid gold will help us later. Drain everything and set it aside.

Step 2: Craft the Creamy Sauce

• Broth
• Half-and-half

• Paprika
• Mustard powder
• Oregano
• Salt
• Black pepper

Let the mixture bubble gently and become friends.

Step 3: Marry Pasta with Cheese

• Cheddar cheese
• Parmesan cheese

Stir until everything melts into a smooth, dreamy sauce. If things look too thick, splash in some of that reserved pasta water. Squeeze in some lemon juice for a bright kick and taste to make sure the seasoning is perfect.

Step 4: Serve and Celebrate

Scatter fresh parsley on top like edible confetti. Serve this steaming masterpiece immediately and watch everyone’s eyes light up!

Tips That Help With Broccoli And Cheese Pasta

• Boost Pasta Water Flavor: Salt the boiling water generously to enhance the overall taste of your pasta and broccoli, allowing the seasoning to penetrate deeply during cooking.
• Prevent Cheese Clumping: Remove the pot from heat before adding cheese to ensure a smooth, creamy sauce without unwanted grainy texture or separation.
• Customize Cheese Blend: Experiment with different cheese combinations like Gruyère, fontina, or sharp white cheddar to create unique flavor profiles while maintaining the dish's creamy consistency.
• Control Sauce Consistency: Use reserved pasta water strategically to adjust the sauce's thickness, creating a silky texture that perfectly coats every pasta noodle and broccoli floret.
• Make It Lighter: Swap half-and-half with low-fat milk or Greek yogurt for a healthier version that still delivers rich, satisfying flavor without compromising the dish's creamy essence.

Best Way To Store Broccoli And Cheese Pasta

• Refrigerate leftover broccoli and cheese pasta in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days.
• Store the dish completely cooled to prevent bacterial growth.
• When reheating, add a splash of milk or pasta water to restore the creamy sauce's original texture.
• Gently warm in the microwave or on the stovetop, stirring occasionally to prevent sauce separation.
• Avoid freezing this pasta, as dairy-based sauces tend to break down and become grainy when thawed.
• Fresh pasta with cream sauce is best enjoyed within the first two days for optimal flavor and consistency.
• Always check for any signs of spoilage before consuming refrigerated leftovers.

Great Sides With Broccoli And Cheese Pasta

• Pair with Crisp White Wine: Enhance the creamy broccoli and cheese pasta with a refreshing Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio, cutting through the richness and complementing the cheesy flavors.
• Serve with Garlic Bread: Crispy, buttery garlic bread provides the perfect crunchy contrast to the smooth, cheesy pasta, helping to soak up the delicious sauce.
• Match with Light Salad: A zesty mixed green salad with a tangy vinaigrette balances the pasta's richness, adding freshness and a bright vegetable component to the meal.
• Complement with Roasted Chicken: Grilled or roasted chicken on the side adds lean protein and creates a more substantial dinner, harmonizing with the pasta's creamy texture.

New Ways To Make Broccoli And Cheese Pasta

• Spicy Green Powerhouse: Kick up the heat by adding red pepper flakes or diced jalapeños to the sauce. Swap cheddar for pepper jack cheese for an extra zesty flavor profile.
• Mediterranean Garden Mix: Replace broccoli with roasted zucchini and bell peppers. Incorporate feta cheese and sprinkle with dried oregano for a Greek-inspired variation.
• Protein-Packed Edition: Stir in cooked chicken, crispy bacon bits, or sautéed shrimp to transform the pasta into a complete meal. Consider adding grilled tofu for a vegetarian protein boost.
• Creamy Vegetable Fusion: Introduce additional vegetables like cauliflower, spinach, or asparagus. Experiment with different cheese combinations such as gruyère and fontina for a rich, complex taste.

Broccoli And Cheese Pasta FAQs

• What makes the cheese sauce creamy and flavorful?

The combination of half-and-half, broth, and two types of cheese (cheddar and Parmesan) creates a rich, velvety sauce. The addition of garlic, paprika, mustard powder, and oregano adds depth and complexity to the flavor profile.

• Can I use different types of pasta for this recipe?

Absolutely! While the recipe works great with traditional pasta shapes, you can easily swap in penne, rotini, or fusilli. The key is choosing a pasta that can hold onto the cheesy sauce well.

• Is this dish nutritionally balanced?

Yes, this recipe offers a good balance of carbohydrates from pasta, protein from cheese, and nutrients from broccoli. The green vegetable adds fiber, vitamins, and minerals, making it a more wholesome meal compared to plain mac and cheese.

• How can I make this recipe vegetarian-friendly?

The recipe is already vegetarian. You can enhance its protein content by adding plant-based options like toasted pine nuts, white beans, or even some sautéed mushrooms for extra texture and nutrition.

Broccoli And Cheese Pasta Recipe

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4.9 from 20 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Creamy broccoli and cheese pasta delivers comfort in every forkful, blending rich cheddar with tender green florets. Quick weeknight magic sparks delightful flavors you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 8 ounces (226 grams) pasta shells
• 4 cups broccoli florets, chopped
• 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 cups half-and-half
• 2 ¼ cups chicken broth (or vegetable broth for vegetarian option)

Seasonings and Spices:

• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon mustard powder
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Additional Ingredients:

• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• ½ lemon, juiced
• Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

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Instructions

1. Prepare a generously salted water bath in a large pot, bringing it to a rolling boil. Submerge pasta and allow it to dance in the bubbling liquid according to package instructions. Approximately two minutes before the pasta reaches its peak tenderness, cascade broccoli florets into the same cauldron.
2. Extract pasta and verdant broccoli using a colander, reserving one cup of the starchy cooking liquid as a potential sauce enhancer. Return the pot to the stovetop, transforming it into a sauce sanctuary.
3. Melt butter in the vessel, creating a golden pool. Introduce minced garlic, allowing its aromatic essence to permeate the environment for a brief moment until its fragrance becomes seductive and inviting.
4. Stream broth and half-and-half into the pot, whisking with intention. Sprinkle in paprika, mustard powder, oregano, salt, and pepper, creating a harmonious flavor landscape.
5. Gently reintroduce pasta and broccoli to their newly crafted sauce environment. Cascade cheddar and Parmesan into the mixture, stirring until they melt into a velvety, cohesive embrace.
6. If the sauce appears overly dense, gradually incorporate reserved pasta water, creating a luxurious, silky consistency. Brighten the flavor profile with a splash of lemon juice, tasting and adjusting seasonings as needed.
7. Transfer the creamy creation to serving dishes, crowning the pasta with a delicate shower of fresh parsley. Serve immediately, inviting diners to savor the warm, comforting blend of textures and flavors.

Notes

• Customize the pasta by using whole wheat or gluten-free pasta options for different dietary needs.
• Cut broccoli into similar-sized florets to ensure even cooking and consistent texture throughout the dish.
• Reserve pasta water strategically as it contains starch that helps create a silky, clingy sauce consistency.
• Grate cheese freshly for maximum melting potential and superior flavor compared to pre-shredded varieties.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 510
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 26 g
• Saturated Fat: 15 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 52 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 20 g
• Cholesterol: 80 mg