5.0 from 228 votes
Quick Broccoli Pasta
Easy & quick broccoli pasta is the perfect tasty hot lunch or easy dinner when time is short!
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Total Time
25 mins
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 504 kcal
Course:
Side Dish , Main Course , Condiments , Lunch , Dinner
Cuisine:
American
Ingredients
- 8 ounces medium pasta such as penne or rotini, approx 3 cups dry
- 4 cups broccoli florets
- 1 cup chicken broth not low sodium
- 1 cup half and half or light cream
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch + 1 teaspoon
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon garlic salt
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- ¼ cup shredded Parmesan cheese
- ¼ teaspoon salt or to taste
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper or to taste
Instructions
- Bring a large saucepan of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook al dente according to package directions. Add broccoli to the pasta water for the last 4 minutes of cooking. Drain well (do not rinse pasta) and set aside.
- Combine broth, cream, cornstarch, onion powder, and garlic salt in the saucepan and mix well. Bring to a simmer over medium heat while whisking until it comes to a boil and thickens.
- Once thickened, remove from heat and stir in cheese until melted.
- Toss with broccoli and pasta and season with salt & pepper to taste. Serve immediately.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- Shred your own cheeses for best results, pre-shredded cheeses don't melt as well.
- Don't overcook the broccoli, add it just during the last few minutes of cooking.
- If using frozen broccoli, it doesn't need to cook it just needs to thaw so add it at the end.
- A pinch of nutmeg or 1/2 teaspoon dry mustard are great additions to cheese sauce.
- Whisk the cheese after removing from the heat, if cheese is heated too much it can separate.
Nutrition Information
Serving
2cups
Calories
504
(25%)
Carbohydrates
58g
(19%)
Protein
20g
(40%)
Fat
22g
(34%)
Saturated Fat
13g
(65%)
Cholesterol
67mg
(22%)
Sodium
826mg
(34%)
Potassium
528mg
(15%)
Fiber
4g
(16%)
Sugar
3g
(6%)
Vitamin A
1205IU
(24%)
Vitamin C
86mg
(96%)
Calcium
358mg
(36%)
Iron
2mg
(11%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 4servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 504
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 2cups | |
| Calories | 504 | 25% |
| Carbohydrates | 58g | 19% |
| Protein | 20g | 40% |
| Fat | 22g | 34% |
| Saturated Fat | 13g | 65% |
| Cholesterol | 67mg | 22% |
| Sodium | 826mg | 34% |
| Potassium | 528mg | 11% |
| Fiber | 4g | 16% |
| Sugar | 3g | 6% |
| Vitamin A | 1205IU | 24% |
| Vitamin C | 86mg | 96% |
| Calcium | 358mg | 36% |
| Iron | 2mg | 11% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.