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Cheesy and Creamy Broccoli Pasta Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 104 reviews

A deliciously creamy and cheesy broccoli pasta dish featuring tender sautéed broccoli, rich heavy cream, and a blend of mozzarella and parmesan cheeses, all tossed with al dente ditalini pasta for a comforting and satisfying meal.

Ingredients

Scale

Vegetables

  • 1 Yellow Onion, diced
  • 500 g Fresh Broccoli, chopped
  • 4 cloves Garlic, minced

Dairy

  • 2 tablespoon Butter
  • 2 cups Heavy Cream
  • 8 oz Mozzarella Cheese, shredded
  • 8 oz Parmesan Cheese, grated

Pantry

  • 2 tablespoon Olive Oil
  • ½ cup Pasta water, reserved
  • 16 oz Ditalini Pasta
  • Salt, to taste (approximately 2 teaspoons)
  • Black Pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Sauté Onion and Garlic: In a large skillet, melt butter with olive oil over medium heat. Add minced garlic and diced onion, sautéing until translucent, about 5-7 minutes. Season with 1 teaspoon of salt to enhance flavor.
  2. Cook Broccoli: Stir in the chopped broccoli and continue to sauté for another 5 minutes until the broccoli is tender yet retains a vibrant green color. Add an additional teaspoon of salt for seasoning.
  3. Make Creamy Sauce: Pour in the heavy cream and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Add the shredded mozzarella cheese and stir continuously until the cheese melts and the sauce becomes smooth. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
  4. Cook Pasta: While the sauce simmers, cook the ditalini pasta in a separate pot according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve ½ cup of the pasta cooking water before draining the pasta.
  5. Toss Pasta with Sauce: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet with the broccoli and creamy sauce. Pour in the reserved pasta water and gently toss everything together until the pasta is evenly coated with the sauce.
  6. Finish with Parmesan: Remove the skillet from heat. Sprinkle grated parmesan cheese over the pasta and stir until the cheese melts and is fully incorporated into the dish.
  7. Serve: Serve the creamy broccoli pasta immediately, garnished with additional parmesan cheese and freshly ground black pepper if desired. Enjoy your comforting meal!

Notes

  • Reserve pasta water carefully as it helps to thin out the sauce and helps it cling better to the pasta.
  • Use fresh broccoli for the best texture and flavor, but frozen broccoli can be a substitute if fresh is unavailable.
  • Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper according to your taste preferences.
  • For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or milk, but the sauce will be less rich and creamy.
  • To add a protein boost, consider stirring in cooked chicken or crispy bacon pieces before serving.

Keywords: Broccoli pasta, creamy pasta, cheesy broccoli pasta, ditalini pasta recipe, easy pasta dinner, one-pan pasta sauce

Find it online: https://cookcrisis.com/cheesy-and-creamy-broccoli-pasta-recipe/