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close-up of easy broccoli pasta in a shallow bowl
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4.67 from 9 votes

Creamy Broccoli Pasta

This creamy broccoli pasta recipe comes together fast and makes a delicious and comforting meatless meal! It's great for a quick and easy yet totally satisfying weeknight dinner.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time20 minutes
Total Time30 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: creamy broccoli pasta recipe, creamy broccoli pasta sauce, easy broccoli pasta
Servings: 4
Author: Natasha Bull

Ingredients

  • 8 ounces uncooked pasta (I used penne)
  • 3 heaping cups broccoli cut into small florets
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1/2 tablespoon flour
  • 1-2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1/4 cup chicken or vegetable broth
  • 2 teaspoons lemon juice
  • 1/4 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1 cup heavy/whipping cream
  • 1/3 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
  • Salt & pepper to taste

Instructions

  • Boil a large, salted pot of water. Cook the pasta al dente according to package instructions. When the pasta is 2-3 minutes away from being done, you will add the broccoli to the water.
  • Add the butter to a skillet over medium-high heat, and once it's melted, stir in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes.
  • To the skillet, add in the garlic, broth, lemon juice, and Italian seasoning. Let it bubble for a minute or so.
  • Whisk in the cream and let it cook for a few minutes until it's thickened up to your liking, then stir in the parmesan cheese and take the pan off the heat.
  • Drain the pasta and broccoli and add it to the skillet. If the sauce has thickened up too much, add a small splash of the pasta water prior to draining it. Season the pasta with salt & pepper (I'm generous with both) as needed and serve immediately with extra parmesan grated on top if desired.

Notes

  • My broccoli was fairly soft after boiling it for 3 minutes (I cut it quite small). Do 1-2 minutes if you prefer more tender-crisp. It also depends how small you chop the florets, so it's a good idea to test one piece prior to draining the pot so you can cook it for a little extra if needed.
  • One pound of broccoli should easily yield 3+ cups when cut into florets.

Nutrition

Calories: 531kcal | Carbohydrates: 50g | Protein: 14g | Fat: 31g | Saturated Fat: 19g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 104mg | Sodium: 280mg | Potassium: 419mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 1550IU | Vitamin C: 63mg | Calcium: 181mg | Iron: 1mg