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Creamy Broccoli Pasta – One Pot!

Creamy Broccoli Pasta – One Pot!

This Creamy Broccoli Pasta features pasta shells in a buttery Garlic Parmesan Sauce with herbs, a hint of lemon juice, and lots of broccoli.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine American, Italian
Servings 4 people
Calories 495 kcal

Equipment

  • Large skillet

Ingredients
  

  • 4 Tablespoons butter
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 cups chicken broth
  • 1.25 cups half and half
  • 0.5 lb medium pasta shells
  • 0.25 teaspoon onion powder
  • 0.25 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 0.25 teaspoon salt
  • 0.5 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 0.5 teaspoon dried parsley
  • 3.5 cups broccoli florets uncooked
  • 2 teaspoons lemon juice
  • 0.75 cup Parmesan Cheese finely grated into a powder

Instructions
 

  • Measure out all ingredients prior to beginning. (This is called “mise en place” and is a good idea for quick recipes.) Pro Tip: Cut the broccoli into smaller pieces so that they cook more quickly.
  • Melt butter over medium heat in a large skillet. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute.
  • Add the chicken broth, half and half, and seasonings.
  • Bring to a boil and add the pasta. Submerge the pasta into the liquid and let it return to a boil. Cook partially covered according to package instructions. Add the broccoli during the last 6 minutes. Run a silicone spatula along the bottom of the pan occasionally to prevent the pasta from sticking to it.
  • Remove cover taste-test a pasta noodle for doneness before proceeding. If needed, cover and cook longer, until your desired doneness is obtained.
  • Remove from heat. Add the lemon juice and use a silicone spatula to gently mix in the Parmesan cheese.
  • Sauce will continue to thicken upon standing. Garnish with parsley and serve with garlic bread with cheese.

Notes

Grate the cheese from a block so that it melts and tastes the best. Packaged grated or shredded Parmesan cheese contains cellulose to prevent it from clumping together, which also prevents it from melting as well. A combination of Parmesan, Asiago, and Romano cheese tastes great as well. Don't add the cheese to a super hot base as this will cause the dairy to separate and the consistency will be grainy instead of smooth. Similarly-sized pastas may be substituted; refer to package for approximate cooking time. Examples include Fusilli (spiral) and Farfalle (bowtie).

Nutrition

Serving: 1plateCalories: 495kcal
Keyword Creamy Broccoli Pasta, Easy Pasta Recipe, one-pot, Pasta, vegetarian pasta
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