Cheesy Broccoli Pasta
Cheesy Broccoli Pasta
Ingredients
- 2 cups short pasta, such as orecchiette
- 2 1/2 cups broccoli, chopped into small florets and pieces
- 2 tablespoons olive oil, as needed for sautéing
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 4 garlic, cloves, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1/4 cup pasta water, reserved from cooking pasta
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- 1
Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the 2 cups of short pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Before draining, reserve 1/4 cup of the pasta cooking water. Drain the pasta and set aside.
⏱️ 12 min
- 2
While the pasta is cooking, heat the olive oil and butter in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion and minced garlic. Sauté for 3-5 minutes, or until the onion is softened and translucent and the garlic is fragrant.
⏱️ 5 min
- 3
Add the 2 1/2 cups of chopped broccoli florets and pieces to the skillet with the sautéed aromatics. Cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the broccoli starts to become tender-crisp.
⏱️ 4 min
- 4
Pour in the 1 cup of heavy cream. Stir in the 1/2 teaspoon of salt, 1/2 teaspoon of smoked paprika, and 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
⏱️ 3 min
- 5
Reduce the heat to low. Add the 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese and 1 cup of grated Parmesan cheese to the skillet. Stir continuously until both cheeses are completely melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy.
⏱️ 3 min
- 6
Stir in the 1/4 cup of reserved pasta water into the cheese sauce. This will help to thin the sauce slightly and make it extra silky.
⏱️ 1 min
- 7
Add the cooked and drained pasta to the skillet with the creamy broccoli cheese sauce. Toss everything together thoroughly until the pasta is evenly coated with the sauce.
⏱️ 2 min
- 8
Serve the cheesy broccoli pasta immediately, garnished with extra Parmesan cheese if desired.
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Cheesy Broccoli Pasta
- 2 cups short pasta, such as orecchiette
- 2 1/2 cups broccoli, chopped into small florets and pieces
- 2 tablespoons olive oil, as needed for sautéing
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 4 garlic, cloves, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1/4 cup pasta water, reserved from cooking pasta
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- 1
Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the 2 cups of short pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Before draining, reserve 1/4 cup of the pasta cooking water. Drain the pasta and set aside.
⏱️ 12 min - 2
While the pasta is cooking, heat the olive oil and butter in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion and minced garlic. Sauté for 3-5 minutes, or until the onion is softened and translucent and the garlic is fragrant.
⏱️ 5 min - 3
Add the 2 1/2 cups of chopped broccoli florets and pieces to the skillet with the sautéed aromatics. Cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the broccoli starts to become tender-crisp.
⏱️ 4 min - 4
Pour in the 1 cup of heavy cream. Stir in the 1/2 teaspoon of salt, 1/2 teaspoon of smoked paprika, and 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
⏱️ 3 min - 5
Reduce the heat to low. Add the 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese and 1 cup of grated Parmesan cheese to the skillet. Stir continuously until both cheeses are completely melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy.
⏱️ 3 min - 6
Stir in the 1/4 cup of reserved pasta water into the cheese sauce. This will help to thin the sauce slightly and make it extra silky.
⏱️ 1 min - 7
Add the cooked and drained pasta to the skillet with the creamy broccoli cheese sauce. Toss everything together thoroughly until the pasta is evenly coated with the sauce.
⏱️ 2 min - 8
Serve the cheesy broccoli pasta immediately, garnished with extra Parmesan cheese if desired.