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Creamy Broccoli Pasta

This quick pasta dish combines tender shells and broccoli in a creamy garlic parmesan sauce enhanced with herbs and fresh lemon.

Perfect for an easy weeknight dinner.

Emily Watson
Updated on Wed, 25 Dec 2024 14:13:12 GMT
A close-up of a bowl filled with creamy pasta and broccoli, topped with grated cheese.
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A close-up of a bowl filled with creamy pasta and broccoli, topped with grated cheese. | thefamilycooks.com

I created this magical one-pot Creamy Broccoli Pasta recipe during a busy weeknight and it's become our family favorite! The way the buttery garlic Parmesan sauce coats every shell and tender broccoli floret creates pure comfort food magic. My kids actually get excited when they smell the garlic and butter cooking - that's how good this is! Best of all it comes together in just 25 minutes making it perfect for those hectic evenings.

Ingredients You'll Need

  • Butter: This creates the most amazing rich base for our sauce.
  • Garlic: Fresh minced garlic makes all the difference don't skimp here!
  • Chicken Broth: Adds such great flavor vegetable broth works too for my vegetarian friends.
  • Half and Half: Makes everything creamy without being too heavy.
  • Pasta Shells: I love how the sauce gets trapped in every little shell.
  • Seasonings: My perfect blend of onion powder thyme oregano parsley and salt.
  • Broccoli Florets: Fresh is best for that perfect tender-crisp bite.
  • Lemon Juice: Just a splash brightens all the flavors.
  • Parmesan Cheese: Fresh grated melts like a dream into the sauce.

Let's Start Cooking

Start With The Magic
Melt your butter and let that garlic get fragrant keep stirring we don't want it to burn!
Create Your Sauce Base
Pour in your broth half and half and all those yummy seasonings let it come to a gentle boil.
Pasta Time
Add your shells and let them cook partially covered then toss in the broccoli for the last few minutes.
Final Touches
Off the heat add a splash of lemon juice and stir in that Parmesan until it's all melty and perfect.
Time to Enjoy
Sprinkle with some fresh parsley and dig in! We love it with garlic bread on the side.

My Best Tips

  • Fresh Parmesan Is Best: Trust me grate it yourself it melts so much better!
  • Watch Your Heat: Keep it gentle when adding cheese or your sauce might break.
  • Switch Up The Pasta: Sometimes I use Fusilli or Farfalle just adjust cooking time.
  • Make It Heartier: Want protein? Add some cooked chicken it's amazing!

Keeping It Fresh

  • In The Fridge: Pop leftovers in a container they'll stay good for 3 days.
  • Freezer Ready: Portion it out and freeze up to 3 months just know the sauce might be a bit different after thawing.
  • Warming Up: Add a little broth or cream when reheating to bring back that amazing sauce.

Good To Know

Each serving gives you such good nutrition while tasting absolutely decadent! You're getting about 495 calories plenty of protein at 17g some good carbs at 48g and lots of vitamins from that beautiful broccoli. It's the perfect balance of healthy and comforting!

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A close-up of creamy pasta with broccoli and a sprinkle of cheese in a silver bowl | thefamilycooks.com

Creamy Broccoli Pasta

Pasta shells and broccoli in a rich garlic parmesan sauce with herbs and a hint of lemon. A comforting meal ready in 25 minutes.

Prep Time
10 Minutes
Cook Time
15 Minutes
Total Time
25 Minutes

Category: Pasta

Difficulty: Easy

Cuisine: Italian-American

Yield: 4 Servings (1 skillet)

Dietary: Vegetarian

Ingredients

01 4 Tablespoons butter.
02 4 cloves garlic, minced.
03 2 cups chicken broth.
04 1 1/4 cups half and half.
05 1/2 lb medium pasta shells.
06 1/4 teaspoon onion powder.
07 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme.
08 1/4 teaspoon salt.
09 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano.
10 1/2 teaspoon dried parsley.
11 3 1/2 cups broccoli florets, uncooked.
12 2 teaspoons lemon juice.
13 3/4 cup Parmesan cheese, finely grated.

Instructions

Step 01

Measure all ingredients and cut broccoli into small pieces.

Step 02

Melt butter in large skillet over medium heat, cook garlic for 1 minute.

Step 03

Add chicken broth, half and half, and all seasonings.

Step 04

Bring to boil, add pasta and cook partially covered per package instructions. Add broccoli in last 6 minutes.

Step 05

Check pasta for doneness, cook longer if needed.

Step 06

Remove from heat, add lemon juice and gently mix in Parmesan cheese.

Notes

  1. A quick weeknight pasta dish featuring shells and broccoli in a creamy garlic parmesan sauce. Best served with garlic bread.

Tools You'll Need

  • Large skillet.
  • Silicone spatula.
  • Measuring cups and spoons.
  • Grater.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Dairy (butter, half and half, parmesan).
  • Wheat (pasta).

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 495
  • Total Fat: 28 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 45 g
  • Protein: 18 g