Description
Comfort meets elegance in this irresistible Creamy Broccoli Pasta, blending rich textures with wholesome ingredients. Delightful green florets mingle with silky sauce, promising a satisfying meal that will transport you to culinary bliss.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1/2 pound medium pasta shells
- 3 1/2 cups broccoli florets, uncooked
- 3/4 cup Parmesan cheese, finely grated
Sauce Components:
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 1/4 cups half and half
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice
Seasonings:
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon dried parsley
Instructions
- Chop broccoli into uniform, bite-sized florets to ensure even cooking and consistent texture throughout the dish.
- Heat butter in a large skillet over medium heat, sauté minced garlic until fragrant and lightly golden, approximately 45-60 seconds.
- Pour chicken broth and half and half into the skillet, incorporating dried herbs, salt, and pepper. Whisk ingredients until smoothly combined.
- Add pasta directly into the simmering liquid, ensuring it’s partially submerged. Cover skillet with a lid and cook according to package instructions, stirring occasionally.
- Six minutes before pasta reaches al dente stage, introduce broccoli florets into the skillet, allowing them to steam and absorb the creamy sauce.
- Once pasta is tender and broccoli is bright green and crisp-tender, remove skillet from heat source.
- Squeeze fresh lemon juice over the mixture, then gently fold in grated Parmesan cheese, creating a silky, luxurious coating.
- Let the dish rest for 2-3 minutes, which will naturally thicken the sauce and allow flavors to meld together before serving.
Notes
- Choose tender, fresh broccoli for the best texture and flavor in your creamy pasta dish.
- Slice broccoli into uniform small florets to ensure even cooking and consistent bite throughout the meal.
- Grate Parmesan cheese fresh for maximum flavor and smoother melting compared to pre-packaged options.
- For a lighter version, substitute half and half with low-fat milk or use vegetable broth instead of cream to reduce calories while maintaining a delicious sauce.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 54g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 45mg