Description
This Creamy Broccoli Pasta is a cozy, comforting weeknight dinner that comes together in under 30 minutes. Al dente pasta and tender broccoli florets are tossed in a velvety garlic-Parmesan cream sauce, finished with a hint of heat from red pepper flakes and a sprinkle of fresh basil. Simple ingredients, big flavor.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 ounces pasta (penne or fusilli work well)
- 2 cups broccoli florets
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese (plus extra for serving, optional)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Fresh basil leaves, for garnish
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente.
- In the last 3 minutes of the pasta’s cooking time, add the broccoli florets to the pot. Continue cooking until the pasta is al dente and the broccoli is bright green and just tender.
- Reserve 1/2 cup of the starchy pasta water, then drain the pasta and broccoli and set aside.
- In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1–2 minutes, stirring frequently, until fragrant but not browned.
- Reduce the heat to low. Pour in the heavy cream, stirring to combine with the garlic and oil. Warm gently without boiling.
- Gradually sprinkle in the grated Parmesan cheese, stirring constantly until the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy.
- If the sauce seems too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water at a time until you reach your desired consistency.
- Add the drained pasta and broccoli to the skillet. Toss well to coat everything in the creamy sauce.
- Season with salt, freshly ground black pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using). Cook for an additional 2–3 minutes, tossing frequently, until heated through and well combined.
- Serve immediately, garnished with fresh basil leaves and extra Parmesan cheese if desired.
Notes
- You can use any short pasta you like penne, fusilli, shells, or rotini all work well with the creamy sauce.
- Adjust the thickness of the sauce with more or less reserved pasta water; it will thicken slightly as it cools.
- Taste before salting heavily Parmesan cheese is naturally salty and may provide enough seasoning on its own.
- For a lighter version, you can replace part of the heavy cream with whole milk, but the sauce will be slightly less rich.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course, Pasta
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe
- Calories: ≈450 kcal
- Sugar: ≈3 g
- Sodium: ≈350 mg
- Fat: ≈26 g
- Saturated Fat: ≈13 g
- Unsaturated Fat: ≈11 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: ≈42 g
- Fiber: ≈3 g
- Protein: ≈15 g
- Cholesterol: ≈70 mg
Keywords: creamy broccoli pasta, garlic Parmesan pasta, easy weeknight dinner, broccoli pasta, one-pan pasta