Description
A quick and creamy broccoli pasta recipe that combines tender pasta and broccoli with a luscious, cheesy sauce made from sharp cheddar and parmesan. Ready in just 25 minutes, this comforting dish is perfect for a weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Vegetables
- 8 ounces medium pasta (such as 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
Cheese and Seasoning
- 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 package directions until al dente. Add the chopped broccoli to the boiling pasta water during the last 4 minutes of cooking to blanch it. Drain the pasta and broccoli together well, but do not rinse. Set aside.
- Make the Sauce: In the same saucepan, combine the chicken broth, light cream, cornstarch (2 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon), onion powder, and garlic salt. Whisk the ingredients together and bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat. Continue whisking while it heats until it boils and thickens into a smooth sauce.
- Combine: Remove the saucepan from heat once the sauce has thickened. Stir in the sharp cheddar cheese and parmesan cheese until fully melted and the sauce is creamy. Toss the cooked pasta and broccoli back into the sauce, mixing well to coat everything evenly. Season with salt and pepper to taste, then serve immediately for best flavor and texture.
Notes
- Do not rinse the pasta after draining to help the sauce adhere better.
- You can substitute light cream with half-and-half or whole milk for a lighter or richer sauce respectively.
- If you prefer a vegetarian version, replace chicken broth with vegetable broth.
- Use freshly shredded cheese for better melting and flavor.
- For a thicker sauce, increase cornstarch by half a teaspoon if needed.
