Description
This Creamy & Cheesy Broccoli Pasta is a quick and comforting dish perfect for weeknight dinners. Tender pasta and broccoli are coated in a luscious homemade cheese sauce made with sharp cheddar and parmesan, enriched by light cream and seasoned with garlic and onion powder. Ready in just 25 minutes, it blends flavor and simplicity in a satisfying skillet-prepared meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Vegetables
- 8 ounces medium pasta (penne or rotini, approx 3 cups dry)
- 4 cups broccoli, chopped
Sauce
- 1 cup chicken broth (not low sodium)
- 1 cup light cream
- 2 tablespoons + 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon garlic salt
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- ¼ cup parmesan cheese, shredded
- ¼ teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- ¼ teaspoon pepper (or to taste)
Instructions
- Prepare the Pasta and Broccoli: Bring a large saucepan of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package directions for al dente texture. In the last 4 minutes of cooking, add the chopped broccoli to the boiling water. Once cooked, drain the pasta and broccoli without rinsing. Set aside.
- Make the Sauce: Using the same saucepan, whisk together the chicken broth, light cream, cornstarch, onion powder, and garlic salt. Place the saucepan over medium heat and bring the mixture to a simmer while continuously whisking. Continue whisking until it comes to a boil and thickens into a smooth sauce.
- Combine: Remove the saucepan from heat and immediately stir in the shredded sharp cheddar and parmesan cheeses until fully melted and the sauce is smooth. Add the cooked pasta and broccoli back into the saucepan, tossing gently to coat everything evenly with the cheese sauce. Season with salt and pepper to your taste. Serve hot immediately.
Notes
- Use medium pasta like penne or rotini for best sauce coating.
- Do not rinse pasta and broccoli after draining to preserve starch for sauce thickening.
- Adjust salt and pepper according to your preference.
- If you prefer a vegetarian version, substitute chicken broth with vegetable broth.
- For a thicker sauce, increase cornstarch by ½ teaspoon.
- Serve immediately for best texture and flavor.
