If you’re craving something warm, cheesy, and loaded with veggies but don’t feel like spending hours in the kitchen, this easy pasta with broccoli and cheese will save your night. It’s creamy, comforting, and totally family-approved. Best part? You can have dinner on the table in just 30 minutes!
Why You’ll Love This Pasta with Broccoli and Cheese
- Quick & Weeknight-Friendly: One pot, minimal effort, and 100% weeknight ready!
- Kid-Approved: The combo of melty cheese and pasta is irresistible—even to picky eaters.
- Perfectly Creamy: Made with a real cheese sauce that’s velvety and rich but not heavy.
- Whole Family Vibes: It’s hearty, satisfying, and a great way to sneak in some veggies.
- Customizable: Gluten-free? Vegan? We got you! (Scroll below for variations.)
Ingredients You’ll Need
Main Ingredients
- Pasta: Use your fave shape—penne, shells, or fusilli are all great.
- Broccoli: Fresh florets work best but frozen’s fine too. Just adjust the cooking time!
- Butter + Flour: Classic roux base for the sauce.
- Milk: Whole milk makes it creamy; you can sub non-dairy too.
- Cheese: Sharp cheddar melts beautifully and brings that real mac-and-cheese vibe.
- Garlic Powder: Adds deep flavor with zero effort.
- Salt + Black Pepper: Always.
Optional Flavor-Boosters 💫
- Red pepper flakes for a little kick
- Grated parmesan on top
- Toasted breadcrumbs for a crispy finish
- A touch of Dijon mustard stirred into the sauce
How to Make Creamy Pasta with Broccoli and Cheese
- Boil Pasta & Broccoli: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta as directed. In the last 2-3 minutes, toss in your broccoli florets. Drain everything together and set aside.
- Make the Cheese Sauce: In the same pot or a separate saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Stir in the flour and stir for 1 minute to form a roux. Slowly whisk in milk, stirring constantly until silky smooth and thickened, about 5 minutes.
- Add the Cheese: Lower the heat and stir in your shredded cheddar, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Stir until melty and luscious. 👏
- Mix It All Together: Add your drained pasta and broccoli right in. Toss to coat everything with the cheesy sauce.
Pro Tip: Want it extra crispy? Pop the whole thing under the broiler with a sprinkle of parmesan for 2–4 minutes. Thank me later.
Recipe Variations & Substitutions
Make it Gluten-Free
- Swap in your favorite gluten-free pasta (we love Jovial)
- Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour for the roux
Make it Vegan 🥦
- Use dairy-free butter and oat or almond milk
- Sub in a plant-based cheddar-style cheese (like Violife or Follow Your Heart)
Make it Protein-Rich
- Add chopped grilled chicken or rotisserie chicken
- Stir in some chickpeas or white beans
Serving Ideas & Storage Tips
How to Serve
- Top with crispy breadcrumbs or extra cheese
- Serve with a fresh green salad or roasted veggies
- Pair with garlic bread for the full comfort food experience
Leftovers?
- Store covered in the fridge for up to 4 days
- Reheat gently on the stovetop with a splash of milk
- Not freezer-friendly unless using non-dairy cheese (cheddar tends to get grainy when frozen)
Tools I Love for This Recipe
- Le Creuset Dutch Oven – My go-to for all things saucy 🍝
- Microplane grater – For finely grating your cheese for max melt
- OXO Whisk Set – Perfect for lump-free béchamel sauce
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use frozen broccoli?
Absolutely! Just add it straight to the boiling pasta water about 3 minutes before the pasta is done cooking. No need to thaw first.
What type of pasta works best for this recipe?
Short pasta like penne, rotini, and shells are ideal. They hold the cheese sauce beautifully and are easy to mix with the broccoli.
Can I make this dish ahead of time?
Yes! Just slightly undercook the pasta so it doesn’t get mushy when reheated. Store in the fridge and reheat with a little extra milk for creaminess.
Is this broccoli pasta kid-friendly?
Totally! The cheesy flavor masks the veggie taste enough that even broccoli skeptics will eat it right up!
Can I add meat to this recipe?
Yes! Grilled chicken, cooked sausage, or even crispy bacon would be delish in this dish.
Let’s Get Social 📸🍴
Made this easy pasta with broccoli and cheese? Ughhh, I wanna see! Tag us @gotofoodrecipes on Instagram or Pin this for your next weeknight meal. 🧀💚
Try These Other Cozy Weeknight Winners:
- Creamy Baked Mac and Cheese
- One-Pot Chicken Broccoli Alfredo
- Vegan Broccoli Pasta with Cashew Cream
- Spicy Buffalo Chicken Pasta
Coziest dinner on deck? I think yes. 🍴
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