One-Pot Creamy Parmesan Broccoli Pasta
Make this quick, comforting broccoli pasta in one pot. It features tender broccoli and a rich, velvety Parmesan sauce coating every noodle. This recipe is ready in under 30 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights.
- Prep Time: 10 min
- Cook Time: 20 min
- Total Time: 30 min
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound pasta (penne or rotini work well)
- 4 cups fresh broccoli florets
- 4 cups water or vegetable broth
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
- Place the pasta, broccoli florets, water or broth, minced garlic, salt, and pepper into a large pot or Dutch oven.
- Bring the mixture to a boil over high heat.
- Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium-low, cover the pot, and cook for 10 to 12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is al dente and most of the liquid has been absorbed.
- Remove the pot from the heat. Stir in the heavy cream, butter, and Parmesan cheese until the sauce is smooth and creamy.
- If the sauce seems too thick, add a splash of hot water or milk until you reach your desired consistency.
- Serve immediately with extra grated Parmesan cheese on top.
Notes
- For a richer flavor, use chicken broth instead of water.
- If you want a healthier option, use milk instead of heavy cream, though the sauce will be less thick.
- You can add cooked, shredded chicken to make this a more substantial family dinner.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 650
- Sugar: 5
- Sodium: 550
- Fat: 30
- Saturated Fat: 18
- Unsaturated Fat: 12
- Trans Fat: 1
- Carbohydrates: 75
- Fiber: 6
- Protein: 25
- Cholesterol: 70