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 mins
Cook Time20 minutes mins
Total Time30 minutes mins
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: creamy broccoli pasta recipe, creamy broccoli pasta sauce, easy broccoli pasta
Servings: 4
- 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
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.
- 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.
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