If you’re craving something creamy, comforting, and full of flavor, this Mom’s Creamy Broccoli Pasta is the perfect choice! With fresh broccoli, creamy sauce, and tender pasta, it’s a meal that will satisfy everyone at the table. The best part? It’s quick and easy to make! Whether you’re making it for dinner or meal prepping for the week, this dish is sure to become a family favorite.

Method

Start by boiling the pasta. Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add a generous amount of salt. Once the water is boiling, add the 16 oz of ditalini pasta (or any pasta of your choice). Cook the pasta according to the package directions, but reduce the cooking time by 2 minutes to ensure it remains al dente. While the pasta is cooking, reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta water and set it aside. Drain the pasta once it’s done and set it aside for later.

While the pasta is cooking, prepare the sauce. In a medium pot or large pan, heat 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Once the butter is fully melted, add the diced 1/2 yellow onion. Sauté the onion for 2-3 minutes until it becomes soft and translucent.

Next, add the broccoli and garlic. Stir in the 16 oz of chopped broccoli and minced garlic, and season with 1 1/2 teaspoons of kosher salt and 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper. Sauté the mixture for an additional 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the broccoli is almost tender. You want the broccoli to retain some crunch for a nice texture in the sauce.

Now, make the creamy sauce. Sprinkle 2 tablespoons of flour over the sautéed veggies and stir it in. Cook for about 1 minute to remove the raw flour taste. Gradually pour in 2 cups of milk, adding 1/2 cup at a time and mixing thoroughly to incorporate the milk before adding more. Once all the milk is added, bring the sauce to a simmer. Add the 4 oz of cream cheese and stir until it melts smoothly into the sauce. This will give the sauce its creamy consistency.

Once your sauce is ready, combine the pasta and sauce. Add the cooked and drained pasta to the pan with the creamy sauce. If you’re using a mesh skimmer, you can transfer the pasta directly from the pot to the pan to save time. Add 1/4 cup of the reserved pasta water to the pan, which will help the sauce cling to the pasta. Stir in 1/4 cup of grated Parmesan cheese (or nutritional yeast for a vegan version) and continue stirring until the sauce thickens slightly, making sure the pasta is evenly coated. If the sauce becomes too thick, simply add more pasta water to reach your desired consistency.Finally, serve and enjoy. Once everything is combined, remove the pan from heat and serve the creamy broccoli pasta immediately. Garnish with extra Parmesan cheese or a sprinkle of fresh parsley for added flavor and color. Enjoy the creamy, comforting dish!

Necessary Tools

Large pot for boiling the pasta
Medium pot or large pan for making the sauce
Knife and cutting board
Spoon or spatula for stirring
Measuring spoons and cups
Mesh skimmer or colander (for draining pasta)
Whisk (optional for smooth sauce)

Mom’s Creamy Broccoli Pasta: A Comforting, Flavorful Dish

Recipe by Troy Jorge

0.0 from 0 votes

Cuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy

Servings

servings

Prep time

minutes

Cooking time

minutes

Total time

minutes

Ingredients

For the Pasta:
2 Tbsp butter (or olive oil for vegan option)
1/2 yellow onion, diced small
16 oz fresh broccoli (crowns + stems), roughly chopped small
3 cloves garlic, minced
1+1/2 tsp kosher salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
2 Tbsp flour
2 cups milk (use oat milk for vegan option)
4 oz cream cheese (or plant-based cream cheese for vegan option)
16 oz ditalini pasta (or any pasta of your choice)
1/4 cup grated Parmesan (or nutritional yeast for vegan option)
1/2 cup pasta water (reserved from cooking the pasta)

Directions

Boil the Pasta: Start by bringing a large pot of water to a boil. Add a generous amount of salt to the water, and then cook the pasta according to the package directions, but cook it for 2 minutes less than the recommended time. Once done, reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta water and set it aside, then drain the pasta.
Prepare the Sauce: While the pasta is cooking, heat a medium pot (or large pan) over medium heat and melt the butter. Once the butter is melted, add the diced onion and sauté for 2-3 minutes until it starts to soften and become translucent.
Add the Broccoli and Garlic: Now, add the chopped broccoli, minced garlic, salt, and pepper to the pan. Sauté for another 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the broccoli is almost tender.
Make the Creamy Sauce: Add the flour to the pan and stir it in with the veggies. Let it cook for about a minute to remove the raw flour taste. Gradually stir in the milk, adding 1/2 cup at a time and mixing well before adding more. Once the milk is fully incorporated, add the cream cheese and stir until it melts into the sauce.
Combine the Pasta and Sauce: Once your pasta is cooked and drained, add it to the pan with the sauce. If you’re using a mesh skimmer, transfer the pasta directly from the pot to the pan to save time. Pour in 1/4 cup of the reserved pasta water, then mix the pasta with the sauce. Add the grated Parmesan (or nutritional yeast for a vegan version) and stir until the sauce thickens slightly, making sure the pasta is fully coated. If the sauce is too thick, add more pasta water until it reaches your desired consistency.
Serve and Enjoy: Once everything is well combined and the sauce is creamy, remove from heat and serve immediately. Garnish with extra Parmesan or a sprinkle of fresh parsley for added flavor.

Notes

Cooking the Broccoli: Be sure not to overcook the broccoli. You want it tender, but still with a slight crunch to keep the texture in the sauce.
Adjusting the Sauce: If the sauce is too thick after adding the pasta, simply add more pasta water to loosen it up. This will help create the perfect creamy texture.
Cooking Time: Keep an eye on the cooking time for the pasta to ensure it’s al dente. Overcooking can make the pasta too soft when combined with the creamy sauce.

Serving Suggestions

With Garlic Bread: Serve this creamy pasta with some warm, crispy garlic bread for the ultimate comfort meal.
Add a Salad: A side salad with fresh greens and a light vinaigrette balances out the richness of the pasta.
For Extra Protein: Add grilled chicken or shrimp on top of the pasta for a protein-packed meal.

Fun Fact

Did you know that broccoli is packed with vitamins and fiber? It’s an excellent source of Vitamin C, which helps boost your immune system, and it also contains powerful antioxidants that support overall health. So not only is this pasta delicious, it’s nutritious too!

Conclusion

This Creamy Broccoli Pasta is the perfect balance of comforting flavors and nutritious ingredients. The creamy sauce with tender broccoli and perfectly cooked pasta makes for a satisfying meal that everyone will love. Whether you’re making it for a weeknight dinner or meal prepping for the week, this recipe is easy, delicious, and guaranteed to be a hit. Enjoy!