Description
This Cheesy and Creamy Broccoli Pasta is a comforting and delicious meal featuring tender broccoli florets sautéed with garlic and onions, enveloped in a rich cream sauce loaded with melted mozzarella and parmesan cheeses. Perfect for a hearty weeknight dinner, it combines the freshness of vegetables with the indulgence of gooey cheese for a satisfying pasta dish.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 1 Yellow Onion, diced
- 500 g Fresh Broccoli, chopped
- 4 cloves Garlic, minced
Dairy and Oils
- 2 tablespoons Butter
- 2 tablespoons Olive oil
- 2 cups Heavy Cream
- 8 oz Mozzarella Cheese, shredded
- 8 oz Parmesan Cheese, grated
Other
- ½ cup Pasta water (reserved)
- 16 oz Ditalini Pasta
- Salt, to taste (about 2 teaspoons total)
- Black Pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Sauté Aromatics: In a large skillet, melt the butter with olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and diced onion, then sauté until the onion becomes translucent, about 5 to 7 minutes. Season with 1 teaspoon of salt to enhance the flavors.
- Cook Broccoli: Stir in the chopped broccoli and continue sautéing for another 5 minutes until the broccoli is tender yet retains a vibrant green color. Add an additional teaspoon of salt during this step.
- Create Cream Sauce: Pour in the heavy cream and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Gradually add the shredded mozzarella cheese, stirring continuously until the cheese melts fully and the sauce becomes smooth. Adjust seasoning with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
- Cook Pasta: While the sauce simmers, cook the ditalini pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water according to package directions until al dente. Reserve ½ cup of the starchy pasta water before draining the pasta.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the drained pasta into the skillet with the creamy broccoli sauce. Pour in the reserved pasta water to help loosen and bind the sauce, then gently toss everything together until the pasta is thoroughly coated.
- Finish with Parmesan: Remove the skillet from the heat, then sprinkle grated parmesan cheese over the pasta. Stir until the parmesan melts and is fully incorporated into the sauce, adding richness and depth.
- Serve: Serve the creamy broccoli pasta immediately, optionally garnished with extra parmesan cheese and freshly ground black pepper for added flavor and presentation.
Notes
- Reserving pasta water adds starchiness that helps the sauce cling better to the pasta.
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or whole milk, but the sauce may be less rich.
- You can swap ditalini pasta with other short pasta like penne or rigatoni if preferred.
- Adding a pinch of red pepper flakes when sautéing garlic and onion can add a subtle spicy kick.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese for better melting and flavor compared to pre-grated varieties.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Keywords: broccoli pasta, creamy pasta, cheesy pasta, vegetarian pasta recipe, easy dinner, comfort food, Italian pasta, ditalini pasta recipe
