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One-Pot Creamy Parmesan Broccoli Pasta for Quick Weeknight Dinners

A close-up of creamy penne pasta mixed with bright green broccoli florets, a perfect example of quick broccoli pasta.
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You can make this comforting, creamy broccoli pasta in one pot, making cleanup simple. This recipe delivers a velvety, cheesy sauce coating tender pasta and fresh broccoli, perfect for a fast, wholesome weeknight meal.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound pasta (penne or rotini work well)
  • 1 large head of broccoli, cut into small florets
  • 4 cups vegetable broth
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)

Instructions

  1. Place the pasta, broccoli florets, vegetable broth, minced garlic, salt, and pepper into a large pot or Dutch oven.
  2. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat.
  3. Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium-low, cover the pot, and cook for 10 to 12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is nearly tender and most of the liquid is absorbed.
  4. Remove the pot from the heat. Stir in the butter and heavy cream until the butter melts.
  5. Add the grated Parmesan cheese and stir continuously until the sauce becomes creamy and smooth, coating the pasta and broccoli. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of hot water or milk until you reach your desired consistency.
  6. Stir in red pepper flakes, if using.
  7. Serve immediately in bowls, topping each serving with extra Parmesan cheese.

Notes

  • For a richer flavor, substitute half of the vegetable broth with chicken broth.
  • If you prefer a Cheddar flavor, swap the Parmesan for 1 cup of sharp shredded Cheddar cheese, adding it at the same time as the Parmesan.
  • To make this a heartier meal, you can add cooked, shredded chicken during the final step when adding the cheese.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://kingscook.com/creamy-broccoli-pasta-recipe-quick-dinner/