This broccoli cheese pasta is one of those easy dinners that just works. Creamy sauce, tender broccoli, and simple ingredients — ready in about 30 minutes.
Recipe details
- Prep time: 10 minutes
- Cook time: 15–20 minutes
- Total time: 30 minutes
- Servings: 2–3
- Difficulty: Easy
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Ingredients for broccoli cheese pasta
Easy swaps and substitutions
No cheddar? Use gouda, mozzarella, or any melting cheese.
No broccoli? Cauliflower works the same way.
Want it richer? Swap some milk for cream.
How to make broccoli cheese pasta
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
- Cook the pasta until al dente, according to the package timing.
- Add the broccoli florets during the last 3–4 minutes so they turn bright green and tender.
- Tip: Cooking broccoli with the pasta saves time and keeps cleanup easy.
- Drain everything, reserving about ½ cup of pasta water.
- In a saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat until.
- Stir in the flour and cook for 1 minute, forming a smooth paste.
- Slowly whisk in the milk until the sauce thickens and looks creamy.
- Remove from heat and stir in the grated cheese in small handfuls until melted.
- Season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder if using.
- Tip: Add cheese off the heat so the sauce stays silky, not grainy.
- Add the pasta and broccoli into the sauce and toss gently until coated.
- If the sauce feels too thick, loosen it with a splash of reserved pasta water.
- Serve warm with chili flakes and a drizzle of olive oil if you like.
- Tip: The sauce should cling softly to the pasta, not sit heavily at the bottom.
Easy variations
If you want to make it a bit more filling, add some cooked chicken or crispy bacon. You can also stir in peas for a little extra green. And for a bit more flavor at the end, sprinkle some Parmesan on top.
Also worth trying:
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