Description
Italian-inspired broccoli pasta delivers a comforting symphony of flavors with minimal ingredients. Creamy parmesan, roasted garlic, and tender broccoli florets meld together to create a quick weeknight dinner you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- ½ pound (226 grams) medium pasta shells
- 3 ½ cups broccoli florets, uncooked
- 2 cups chicken broth
Dairy and Cheese:
- 4 tablespoons (56 grams) butter
- 1 ¼ cups (296 milliliters) half and half
- ¾ cup Parmesan cheese, finely grated
Seasonings and Extras:
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon dried parsley
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice
Instructions
- Organize all ingredients and chop broccoli into uniform bite-sized florets to ensure even cooking and preparation efficiency.
- Heat a spacious skillet over medium temperature, gently melt butter until it becomes golden and fragrant, then sauté minced garlic for approximately 60 seconds.
- Create a flavorful liquid base by incorporating chicken broth, half and half, and sprinkling onion powder, thyme, salt, oregano, and parsley. Whisk ingredients until smoothly integrated.
- Introduce pasta shells into the simmering liquid, ensuring complete submersion. Allow the mixture to reach a gentle boil, then reduce heat and cover partially.
- Follow package instructions for pasta cooking time, maintaining a consistent gentle bubble to prevent overcooking.
- During the final six minutes of pasta preparation, carefully fold broccoli florets into the skillet, stirring periodically to prevent adherence and promote even heating.
- Test pasta for precise tenderness by sampling a shell. Adjust cooking time if necessary, ensuring a perfectly al dente texture.
- Remove skillet from heat source, drizzle fresh lemon juice, and delicately fold in Parmesan cheese using a soft spatula to create a creamy consistency.
- Allow sauce to slightly thicken during a brief resting period. Optionally garnish with additional fresh parsley for enhanced visual appeal and serve alongside crispy cheese-topped garlic bread.
Notes
- Smart Ingredient Prep Saves Time by cutting broccoli into smaller pieces and measuring everything beforehand, ensuring a smooth cooking experience.
- Garlic Infusion creates a rich, aromatic base by gently sautéing minced garlic in melted butter, releasing its delightful flavor profile.
- Liquid Magic happens when chicken broth and half and half combine with herbs, creating a creamy, flavorful sauce that coats every pasta shell.
- Strategic Broccoli Addition during the last 6 minutes of cooking keeps vegetables crisp, vibrant, and perfectly tender without becoming mushy.
- Cheese & Acid Finish elevates the dish with a burst of Parmesan’s salty richness and bright lemon juice, balancing the creamy sauce beautifully.
- Resting Moment allows the sauce to slightly thicken, creating a luxurious texture that clings perfectly to the pasta shells.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 34g
- Saturated Fat: 21g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 70mg