Description
This Cheesy and Creamy Broccoli Pasta is a comforting and indulgent dish featuring tender broccoli, a rich garlic cream sauce, and a generous mix of mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses. Perfect for a cozy weeknight dinner or a special family meal.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 yellow onion, chopped
- 500 g fresh broccoli, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 8 oz mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 8 oz Parmesan cheese, grated
- ½ cup pasta water
- 16 oz ditalini pasta
Instructions
- Cook ditalini pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve ½ cup pasta water and drain the rest.
- In a large skillet, heat butter and olive oil over medium heat.
- Add chopped onion and sauté until translucent, about 3-4 minutes.
- Add minced garlic and chopped broccoli; cook until broccoli is tender-crisp, about 5-6 minutes.
- Pour in heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer.
- Add shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheese, stirring until the cheese melts and the sauce becomes creamy.
- Add reserved pasta water as needed to reach desired sauce consistency.
- Toss the cooked pasta in the creamy broccoli sauce until fully coated.
- Serve immediately, garnished with extra Parmesan if desired.
Notes
- Use fresh broccoli for best texture, but frozen broccoli can also be used if thawed and drained.
- For a lighter version, substitute half-and-half for heavy cream.
- Reserve some pasta water to adjust the sauce consistency as needed.
- Add a pinch of red pepper flakes for a subtle kick.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing and Simmering
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 18g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 6g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 95mg