Creamy Cheddar Broccoli Pasta
This Creamy Cheddar Broccoli Pasta is a quick and comforting one-pot-style dinner featuring tender pasta, fresh broccoli, and a rich homemade cheddar cheese sauce. Ready in just 30 minutes, it's a family-friendly meal that's perfect for busy weeknights and easy enough for beginner cooks.
Equipment
- Large pot
- Colander
- Large skillet or sauté pan
- Whisk
- Wooden spoon or silicone spatula
- Measuring Cups
- Measuring spoons
- Cheese grater
- Cutting board
- Chef's knife
Ingredients
- 12 ounces 340g penne pasta
- 3 cups broccoli florets cut into bite-sized pieces
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups whole milk
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 2½ cups sharp cheddar cheese freshly shredded
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
- Cook the penne pasta according to the package directions until al dente.
- During the last 3 minutes of cooking, add the broccoli florets to the boiling pasta.
- Reserve 1 cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta and broccoli.
- Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add the minced garlic and cook for about 1 minute until fragrant.
- Stir in the flour and whisk continuously for 1 to 2 minutes.
- Slowly pour in the milk while whisking until smooth.
- Add the heavy cream and cook for 3 to 5 minutes until the sauce begins to thicken.
- Reduce the heat to low. Gradually stir in the shredded cheddar cheese until melted.
- Stir in the Parmesan cheese until the sauce is smooth.
- Add the onion powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper.
- Add the cooked pasta and broccoli to the skillet. Toss until everything is evenly coated in the cheese sauce.
- Add a little reserved pasta water if the sauce is too thick.
- Let the pasta rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped parsley and serve warm.
Notes
Nutritional Information (Per Serving)
- Calories: 565 kcal
- Protein: 24g
- Carbohydrates: 49g
- Fat: 31g
- Saturated Fat: 18g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
- Sodium: 640mg
- Potassium: 450mg
- Fiber: 4g
- Sugar: 8g
- Vitamin A: 1,050 IU
- Vitamin C: 55mg
- Calcium: 480mg
- Iron: 2mg
