If you love creamy, comforting pasta dishes, this creamy broccoli pasta is just the recipe you’ve been looking for! It’s simple, rich in flavor, and packed with fresh broccoli for a healthy twist. Whether you’re cooking for a family dinner or just craving something delicious, this recipe will surely hit the spot. Let’s dive right in!
Method in Detail
1. Cook the Pasta
Start by bringing a large pot of water to a boil. Add a generous amount of salt to the water this helps to season the pasta as it cooks. Once the water is boiling, add your pasta (I recommend using Ditalini, but feel free to use any pasta you love). Cook the pasta for 2 minutes less than the package instructions. This ensures that the pasta is slightly undercooked, which will allow it to soak up more of the creamy sauce. While the pasta is cooking, don’t forget to reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water; you’ll need it later to adjust the sauce consistency.
2. Start the Sauce
While the pasta is cooking, take a separate large pan or pot and heat it over medium heat. Add the butter to the pan and allow it to melt fully. Once the butter is melted, toss in the diced onion. Sauté the onion for about 2-3 minutes until it softens and becomes slightly translucent. This process brings out the sweet, caramelized flavor in the onion, which adds depth to the sauce.
3. Add the Veggies
After the onions have softened, it’s time to add the broccoli and garlic to the pan. Stir in the broccoli, and season it with kosher salt and pepper. Sauté everything together for 3-4 minutes. The goal here is to cook the broccoli just enough so that it becomes tender but still has a bit of crunch. The garlic should also become fragrant at this point, adding that beautiful aromatic flavor to the dish.
4. Make the Creamy Sauce
Now it’s time to transform this vegetable medley into a creamy sauce. Sprinkle the flour over the broccoli and onion mixture, and stir it in well. This will help to thicken the sauce later. Let the flour cook for about a minute, stirring frequently to avoid any raw flour taste. Once the flour has cooked slightly, begin adding the milk, half a cup at a time. As you pour the milk in, stir continuously to ensure it incorporates smoothly with the flour and vegetables. Keep adding the milk slowly, making sure each addition is fully mixed in before adding more. Once all the milk is in, add the cream cheese to the sauce and stir until it’s fully melted and incorporated, creating a velvety smooth base for the creamy sauce.
5. Combine Pasta and Sauce
Once the pasta is cooked, drain it (if you used a colander, make sure to save the 1/2 cup of pasta water) and carefully add the pasta into the sauce. If you used a mesh skimmer, you can just transfer the pasta directly into the pan with the sauce. Turn the heat back to medium and add 1/4 cup of the reserved pasta water to the sauce. Stir the pasta and sauce together until everything is evenly coated. Then, add the grated parmesan cheese and stir until it’s fully melted into the sauce. Let the pasta and sauce cook together for another 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly. This will allow the sauce to thicken and coat the pasta beautifully. If the sauce is too thick for your liking, feel free to add more pasta water until it reaches the desired consistency.
6. Serve and Enjoy
Once the pasta is cooked to your preferred tenderness and the sauce is thickened just right, it’s time to serve. Dish out the creamy broccoli pasta onto plates, and enjoy! The combination of creamy sauce, tender broccoli, and flavorful pasta is sure to satisfy your taste buds.
Necessary Tools
- Pot for boiling pasta
- Large pan or separate pot for the sauce
- Mesh skimmer (or colander for draining pasta)
- Wooden spoon or spatula for stirring
- Measuring spoons and cups
Creamy Broccoli Pasta: A Delicious Comfort Food
Cuisine: ItalianDifficulty: Easy4
servings15
minutes25
minutes40
minutesIngredients
2 Tbsp Butter
1/2 Yellow Onion, diced small
16 oz Fresh Broccoli (crowns + stems), roughly chopped
3 Cloves Garlic, minced
1 + 1/2 tsp Kosher Salt
1/2 tsp Pepper
2 Tbsp Flour
2 Cups Milk (2% works best, but any milk is fine)
4 oz Cream Cheese
16 oz Ditalini Pasta (or pasta of your choice)
1/4 Cup Grated Parmesan
1/2 Cup Pasta Water
Vegan Modification
Olive oil instead of butter
Unsweetened oat milk instead of regular milk
Plant-based cream cheese instead of regular cream cheese
Nutritional yeast instead of parmesan
Directions
- Cook the Pasta: First, bring a pot of water to a boil, adding a generous amount of salt. Boil the pasta 2 minutes less than the package directions. Be sure to save 1/2 cup of pasta water for later.
- Start the Sauce: While the pasta is cooking, heat a large pan or separate pot over medium heat. Add the butter and let it melt. Once melted, add the diced onion and sauté for 2-3 minutes until the onions are soft and slightly translucent.
- Add the Veggies: Next, toss in the broccoli, garlic, salt, and pepper. Sauté for 3-4 minutes, allowing the broccoli to soften but still stay a bit crunchy.
- Make the Creamy Sauce: Sprinkle in the flour and mix it well with the vegetables. Cook for a minute before adding the milk, 1/2 cup at a time. Stir the milk into the veggies, letting it fully incorporate before adding more. Once all the milk is in, stir in the cream cheese and cook until the sauce is smooth and creamy.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: When the pasta is done, carefully transfer it into the sauce pan. If you used a colander, drain the pasta first, then add it to the sauce. Turn the heat to medium and add 1/4 cup of the reserved pasta water. Stir in the grated parmesan and cook for 2-3 more minutes, mixing constantly until the sauce thickens and coats the pasta. Add more pasta water if you prefer a looser sauce.
- Serve and Enjoy: Your creamy broccoli pasta is now ready! Dish it out and enjoy the delicious, creamy goodness!
Notes
- Make sure to keep an eye on the pasta while it cooks, as boiling it for too long can make it mushy.
- Stir the sauce frequently as it cooks to avoid any lumps from forming.
- If you like your sauce a bit thicker, you can add more flour, but be sure to cook it for a minute after adding it to avoid a floury taste.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve with a side of garlic bread or a simple salad for a complete meal.
- A sprinkle of extra parmesan or fresh herbs (like basil or parsley) can elevate the dish.
- This pasta pairs well with a light white wine or sparkling water for a refreshing drink.
Fun Fact
Did you know that broccoli is one of the most nutrient-dense vegetables around? It’s packed with vitamin C, fiber, and antioxidants, making it a great choice for adding to any meal!
Conclusion
This creamy broccoli pasta is not just delicious it’s easy to make, too! Whether you’re cooking for a crowd or just treating yourself, it’s a go-to dish for comfort food lovers. And don’t forget, you can easily modify it for a vegan version, so everyone can enjoy it. Happy cooking!
