Cheesy and Creamy Broccoli Pasta
Cheesy and Creamy Broccoli Pasta
Ingredients
For the Pasta
- 12 ounces small tubular pasta
- 1 teaspoon salt, plus more for pasta water
For the Creamy Broccoli Sauce
- 2 heads fresh broccoli, cut into small florets, about 4 cups
- 1 yellow onion, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated, plus more for serving
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional
Instructions
- 1
Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil for the pasta. While the water heats, prepare the vegetables. Cut the broccoli heads into small florets. Peel and finely chop the yellow onion. Mince the garlic.
⏱️ 8 min
- 2
In a large, deep pan or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté for 3-5 minutes, or until softened and translucent. Add the minced garlic and cook for another 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
⏱️ 6 min
- 3
Add the broccoli florets to the pan with the onions and garlic. Sprinkle with 1 teaspoon of salt and the optional red pepper flakes. Sauté for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the broccoli is tender-crisp.
⏱️ 7 min
- 4
Pour the heavy cream into the pan with the broccoli mixture. Bring to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat to low. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese and black pepper. Let the sauce gently simmer while the pasta cooks, stirring occasionally.
⏱️ 5 min
- 5
Add the small tubular pasta to the boiling salted water. Cook according to package directions until al dente. Reserve about 1/2 cup of pasta water before draining.
⏱️ 10 min
- 6
Drain the cooked pasta and immediately add it to the pan with the creamy broccoli sauce. Toss well to combine, ensuring all the pasta is coated in the sauce. If the sauce seems too thick, add a splash or two of the reserved pasta water until it reaches your desired consistency.
⏱️ 4 min
- 7
Serve immediately, garnished with extra grated Parmesan cheese if desired.
⏱️ 1 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Cheesy and Creamy Broccoli Pasta
For the Pasta
- 12 ounces small tubular pasta
- 1 teaspoon salt, plus more for pasta water
For the Creamy Broccoli Sauce
- 2 heads fresh broccoli, cut into small florets, about 4 cups
- 1 yellow onion, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated, plus more for serving
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional
Instructions
- 1
Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil for the pasta. While the water heats, prepare the vegetables. Cut the broccoli heads into small florets. Peel and finely chop the yellow onion. Mince the garlic.
⏱️ 8 min - 2
In a large, deep pan or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté for 3-5 minutes, or until softened and translucent. Add the minced garlic and cook for another 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
⏱️ 6 min - 3
Add the broccoli florets to the pan with the onions and garlic. Sprinkle with 1 teaspoon of salt and the optional red pepper flakes. Sauté for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the broccoli is tender-crisp.
⏱️ 7 min - 4
Pour the heavy cream into the pan with the broccoli mixture. Bring to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat to low. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese and black pepper. Let the sauce gently simmer while the pasta cooks, stirring occasionally.
⏱️ 5 min - 5
Add the small tubular pasta to the boiling salted water. Cook according to package directions until al dente. Reserve about 1/2 cup of pasta water before draining.
⏱️ 10 min - 6
Drain the cooked pasta and immediately add it to the pan with the creamy broccoli sauce. Toss well to combine, ensuring all the pasta is coated in the sauce. If the sauce seems too thick, add a splash or two of the reserved pasta water until it reaches your desired consistency.
⏱️ 4 min - 7
Serve immediately, garnished with extra grated Parmesan cheese if desired.
⏱️ 1 min