Easy broccoli cheddar pasta bake
User Reviews
4.8
Easy broccoli cheddar pasta bake
Description
This dish begins by cooking pasta to firm al dente and adding broccoli florets for the last two minutes to soften them while retaining a slight bite. A roux is prepared from butter and flour, infused with garlic powder and thyme, then mixed with milk and cream until thickened. Shredded cheddar and Parmesan cheeses are melted into the sauce, seasoned with salt and pepper to taste.
The cooked pasta and broccoli are combined with the cheese sauce, adjusted with reserved pasta water if needed to achieve a creamy texture. This mixture is transferred to a baking dish and topped with additional grated cheddar cheese. Baking at 180°C (350°F) for 15-20 minutes produces a golden, bubbling crust.
The result is a creamy, cheesy bake where tender pasta and broccoli contrast with a crisp cheese topping. It works well as a standalone vegetarian main or a hearty side. The thyme adds subtle herbal notes that lift the rich cheese sauce.
Ingredients
- 4 tbsp butter
- 4 tbsp flour
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1½ cups milk
- 1 cup cream
- 2 tsp thyme
- 2 cups cheddar cheese + 1 cup for topping, grated
- ½ cup Parmesan Cheese grated
- salt to taste
- black pepper to taste
- 500 g (1lb) pasta
- 500 g (1lb) broccoli florets
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 180°C/350°F.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook for 7-10 minutes. The pasta should be quite firm still as it will continue cooking in the oven. Add the broccoli florets and cook for the last 2 minutes of cooking. Reserve 1 cup of cooking water and drain.
- While the pasta is cooking, melt the butter in a deep pan or saucepan then whisk in the flour.
- Cook for 1-2 minutes then whisk in the garlic powder and thyme.
- Add the milk, stirring/whisking continuously, until smooth. Cook over medium heat until the sauce has thickened and the flour has cooked through.
- Stir in the cream, grated cheese and season with salt and pepper.
- Combine the pasta and broccoli with the cheese sauce. Add a little pasta water if the sauce is too thick.
- Transfer to a baking dish and top with grated cheddar cheese. Place in a preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes until golden brown and bubbling.
- Remove from the oven, allow to rest for 5 minutes then serve.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 6Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 579 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 579kcal | 29% |
| Carbohydrates | 78g | 26% |
| Protein | 26g | 52% |
| Fat | 19g | 29% |
| Saturated Fat | 8g | 40% |
| Cholesterol | 33mg | 11% |
| Sodium | 521mg | 22% |
| Potassium | 472mg | 10% |
| Fiber | 4g | 16% |
| Sugar | 5g | 10% |
| Vitamin A | 1303IU | 26% |
| Vitamin C | 76mg | 84% |
| Calcium | 357mg | 36% |
| Iron | 3mg | 17% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.8
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