Description
Creamy broccoli and cheese pasta brings comfort to weeknight dinners with its rich, satisfying flavors. Parmesan and sharp cheddar meld perfectly with tender broccoli florets, creating a hearty meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz (226 g) pasta shells
- 4 cups broccoli florets, chopped
- 2 cups half-and-half
- 2 ¼ cups chicken broth (or vegetable broth for vegetarian option)
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 3 tbsps unsalted butter
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp mustard powder
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- ½ lemon, juiced
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Parsley, fresh, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Boiling Preparation: Fill a large pot with generously salted water, bringing to a vigorous boil. Immerse pasta and cook per package guidelines, adding broccoli florets two minutes before pasta reaches optimal tenderness.
- Sauce Foundation: Drain pasta and broccoli, preserving one cup of starchy cooking liquid. Return pot to stovetop and melt butter, introducing minced garlic until its aroma becomes intensely fragrant.
- Liquid Harmony: Pour broth and half-and-half into the pot, whisking thoroughly. Incorporate paprika, mustard powder, oregano, salt, and pepper to create a robust flavor profile.
- Cheese Integration: Reintroduce pasta and broccoli to the sauce, gradually folding in cheddar and Parmesan until achieving a smooth, creamy consistency. If sauce seems thick, incrementally add reserved pasta water.
- Final Refinement: Enhance the dish with a bright splash of lemon juice, adjusting seasonings to taste. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve immediately, presenting a luxurious, comforting pasta experience.
Notes
- Pasta Water Magic: Reserve a cup of starchy cooking liquid to adjust sauce consistency, helping create a silky, smooth texture without losing flavor intensity.
- Cheese Melting Technique: Incorporate cheese gradually and off direct heat to prevent clumping, ensuring a smooth and creamy sauce that coats pasta evenly.
- Garlic Sensitivity Hack: Reduce garlic intensity for sensitive palates by sautéing briefly and using milder varieties like roasted or blanched garlic.
- Dietary Adaptation Trick: Swap regular pasta with gluten-free alternatives, use plant-based butter and dairy-free cheese for vegan/lactose-intolerant versions while maintaining rich, comforting flavor profile.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 561
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 675 mg
- Fat: 26 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 64 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 21 g
- Cholesterol: 82 mg