Creamy Broccoli Pasta

5 from 5 votes

Perfectly sautéed broccoli and mini shells are tossed together in a rich parmesan cheese sauce to make this yummy Creamy Broccoli Pasta! It’s a quick and easy family favorite that comes together in just under 30 minutes!

Prep Time10

Cook Time20

Total Time30

Course: Dinner, Lunch, Pasta

Cuisine: American

Servings:

Calories: 744kcal

Author: Joanna Cismaru

Ingredients

12 ounces mini shells or any small shaped pasta
1 head broccoli cut into small florets
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 tablespoons butter unsalted
1 medium onion chopped
3 cloves garlic minced
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
salt and pepper to taste
1 cup heavy cream
1 cup Parmesan cheese freshly grated

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to package instructions. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water.
In a large skillet add the olive oil and butter over medium heat. Once the butter has melted add the onion and cook for 3 minutes until softened. Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds until aromatic.
Add the broccoli florets to the skillet, along with the Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, and salt and pepper. Stir and cook for about 5 minutes until the broccoli softens.
Add the heavy cream and ½ cup of the reserved pasta water to the skillet. Bring to a boil then simmer for another 5 minutes until sauce thickens. Add the Parmesan cheese and cooked shells. Toss everything together. Cook for another minute.
Garnish with additional Parmesan cheese and serve.

Notes

Salt your pasta water. Add a big tablespoon of salt to the pasta cooking water. This helps to infuse the shells with flavor as they absorb some of the water as they cook.
Cook to al dente. The pasta needs to be tender but still firm to the bite. If you overcook the shells they will get mushy when you toss them together with the broccoli and sauce.
Don’t burn the garlic. Once the minced garlic is added to the skillet it only needs to cook for about 30 seconds before moving on to the next step. If it sticks to the pan or burns it will make the dish bitter.
Creamy broccoli pasta leftovers will keep in the fridge for up to 5 days in an airtight container. To reheat, just sprinkle it with a bit of water or milk to loosen it up a bit. Then put it in the microwave for a few minutes on medium power or reheat it on the stove over medium-low heat.

Nutrition