Description
This Creamy Broccoli Pasta is a comforting, one-pot dish that’s ready in 30 minutes. Pasta shells cook in a buttery garlic parmesan sauce with fresh broccoli and a touch of lemon juice for a rich, creamy, and deliciously balanced meal.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 tbsp butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups chicken broth (or vegetable broth for a vegetarian option)
- 1¼ cups half and half
- ½ lb. medium pasta shells (or similar-sized pasta)
- ¼ tsp onion powder
- ¼ tsp dried thyme
- ½ tsp dried oregano
- ½ tsp dried parsley
- 3½ cups broccoli florets (uncooked)
- 2 tsp lemon juice
- ¾ cup Parmesan cheese, finely grated (from a block)
Instructions
- Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Pour in chicken broth, half and half, onion powder, thyme, oregano, and parsley. Stir and bring to a boil.
- Add pasta, cover partially, and cook for 8-10 minutes. Stir occasionally.
- Add broccoli during the last 5 minutes of cooking.
- Remove from heat, add lemon juice, and gradually stir in Parmesan cheese until melted.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve hot, garnished with extra Parmesan if desired.
Notes
- For extra creaminess, add more half and half or a splash of milk if needed.
- To make it gluten-free, use gluten-free pasta.
- Adding grilled chicken or shrimp makes this a protein-packed meal.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: One-Pot Cooking
- Cuisine: Italian-American