Description
Delicious Broccoli Cheese Pasta is a creamy and comforting dish featuring tender pasta and fresh broccoli coated in a rich, cheesy sauce made from sharp cheddar and mozzarella. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner, this recipe combines simple pantry staples to create a satisfying meal that the whole family will love.
Ingredients
Primary Ingredients
- Any pasta (preferably elbow macaroni or fusilli) – 12 oz
- Fresh broccoli florets (or thawed frozen broccoli) – 2 cups
- Sharp cheddar cheese, shredded – 2 cups
- Mozzarella cheese, shredded – 1 cup
- Whole milk (or half-and-half or almond milk) – 2 cups
- Unsalted butter (or olive oil) – 2 tablespoons
- Flour – 2 tablespoons
- Salt – to taste
- Black pepper – to taste
- Garlic powder – to taste
- Crushed red pepper flakes (optional) – as desired
Instructions
- Cook Pasta and Broccoli: In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. During the last 3 minutes of cooking, add the broccoli florets to the boiling water. Once done, drain both pasta and broccoli and set them aside.
- Make the Roux: Using the same pot, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Once melted, stir in 2 tablespoons of flour to create a roux. Cook this mixture for about 1-2 minutes until it becomes lightly golden, which helps remove the raw flour taste.
- Add Milk and Thicken: Gradually whisk in 2 cups of milk, making sure to stir continuously to prevent lumps. Keep whisking and cooking the mixture for 5-7 minutes until it thickens into a creamy sauce.
- Incorporate Cheese and Season: Lower the heat to low and add in the 2 cups of shredded sharp cheddar and 1 cup of shredded mozzarella. Stir continuously until the cheese is fully melted and the sauce is creamy. Season the cheese sauce with salt, black pepper, and garlic powder according to your taste preferences.
- Combine Pasta with Cheese Sauce: Gently fold the cooked pasta and broccoli into the cheesy sauce until everything is evenly coated. Take care to mix gently to keep broccoli florets intact.
- Serve: Spoon the broccoli cheese pasta into bowls. Optionally, sprinkle additional cheese or breadcrumbs on top for extra flavor and texture. Serve immediately while hot and enjoy your creamy comfort dish.
Notes
- You can substitute whole milk with half-and-half or almond milk for a different richness or dietary preference.
- Adding crushed red pepper flakes gives the dish a subtle spicy kick.
- The recipe works well with various kinds of short pasta like macaroni, fusilli, or penne.
- For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free pasta and substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend.
- The cheese sauce can be prepared ahead and reheated gently, adding a splash of milk if it becomes too thick.
