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.
Ingredients
Scale
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)
Instructions
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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