Description
Cheesy and creamy broccoli pasta with tender pasta, fresh broccoli, and a rich cheese sauce – easy, quick, and family-approved.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz pasta (rotini, fusilli, or shells)
- 2 cups fresh broccoli florets
- 2 tbsp butter
- 2 tbsp flour
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 cup sharp cheddar, shredded
- 1/2 cup Parmesan, grated
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Boil pasta in salted water until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water.
- Blanch broccoli for 2–3 minutes, drain, and set aside.
- In skillet, melt butter and whisk in flour to make roux.
- Slowly whisk in milk until thickened.
- Stir in cheddar and Parmesan until melted and smooth.
- Add pasta, broccoli, and a splash of pasta water to sauce; stir until coated.
- Serve hot with extra Parmesan and black pepper.
Notes
- For extra creaminess, whisk in 2 tbsp cottage cheese or cream cheese.
- Use a mix of cheeses like Gruyère or Monterey Jack for variation.
- Store in airtight container up to 4 days in fridge.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 420 kcal
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 480mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Carbohydrates: 48g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 17g
- Cholesterol: 48mg