Creamy broccoli pasta is packed with broccoli and nuts and tossed with a creamy sauce. This one-dish meal is an easy and affordable recipe, so you won’t break the bank making something everyone will love.
All about Creamy Broccoli Pasta
This creamy broccoli pasta starts with short dry pasta, such as penne. Sauteed onion and garlic, cream cheese, heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper create a rich creamy sauce that pairs well with the broccoli and walnuts. You can serve this dish as an entree or side dish at dinner parties or as a weeknight meal. And leftovers make a quick and easy lunch the next day.
Broccoli has a high content of vitamins C and K, iron, potassium, and fiber. It also contains many antioxidants to help keep your body healthy. Walnuts are an excellent source of plant-based protein, omega-3 fatty acids, fiber, and vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin B6, magnesium, and iron.
Ingredients You’ll Need for this Recipe
- Short dry pasta, such as penne
- Heavy cream
- Cream cheese
- Grated Parmesan cheese
- Garlic cloves
- Large onion
- Broccoli head
- Olive oil
- Salt
- Ground pepper
- Walnuts, chopped
How to Make Creamy Broccoli Pasta
- Remove the broccoli stem and chop the head into florets. Cook the florets in a steamer or in boiling water to your preferred tenderness. (I cook them in boiling water for 4 minutes.) Drain the water and set the cooked broccoli aside.
- Chop the onions into small pieces. Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a medium-sized pan. Saute the onion until translucent then season with salt.
- Add the minced garlic to the pan and saute for 1 more minute until fragrant.
- Remove the pan from the heat and add the cream cheese, heavy cream, grated Parmesan, ground pepper, and chopped walnuts. Stir to combine. Fold in the cooked broccoli and set aside.
- Cook the pasta according to the package directions and drain.
- Combine the pasta and the prepared sauce. (Note: You may need to reheat the sauce before mixing it with the pasta.
- Serve the dish warm with extra Parmesan cheese and ground pepper.
Tips and Variations for this Dish
When it comes to making the perfect creamy broccoli pasta, here are a few tips that can make all the difference:
- Use high-quality pasta and cheese for maximum flavor and texture.
- Make sure you cook the pasta correctly because this is key to the success of the dish. Boil the pasta in salted water just until al dente then drain.
- Don’t be afraid to try different types of cheese, such as gruyere or cheddar, for unique variations. Add diced cooked chicken or sauteed shrimp or top with crispy fried prosciutto or bacon bits for an extra crunch and contrast in flavors. Of course, the dish will no longer be vegetarian.
- Add a twist of lemon juice to the creamy broccoli pasta for a more zesty flavor.
- Try roasting the garlic for a more savory experience.
- Add some crunch and color by topping your dish with sunflower seeds or pepitas (pumpkin seeds).
- Switch up the walnuts to pistachios, almonds, or pecans for a different flavor.
- Add extra vegetables, such as sliced mushrooms, carrots, or bell peppers.
- For a spicy kick, add red pepper flakes to the creamy sauce before serving.
- If you want individual portions, try baking them in ramekins topped with panko bread crumbs for a crusty top layer.
Creamy Broccoli Pasta FAQs
What are good sides to serve with creamy broccoli pasta?
A few good sides to serve with creamy broccoli pasta include roasted vegetables such as carrots, red peppers, and onions; a side salad of mixed greens; crispy garlic bread; steamed green beans or asparagus; and roasted Brussels sprouts.
Is this dish vegan and gluten free?
This dish is not vegan because it contains animal products, but it is good for a vegetarian diet. The dish is not gluten free with the regular pasta. But you could substitute a gluten-free pasta to make it gluten free.
How do I store leftovers of creamy broccoli pasta?
Keep leftovers covered in the fridge for up to 3 days. Then reheat them in a pan with a drizzle of oil or water to moisten the pasta.
Other Pasta Recipes
- Baked Mediterranean Pasta
- Healthy Gluten-Free Pasta Salad
- Healthy Peanut Sauce Noodles
- Easy & Healthy Lasagna with Cashew Spinach Ricotta
Creamy Broccoli Pasta with Walnuts
Creamy broccoli pasta is packed with broccoli and nuts and tossed with a creamy sauce.
Ingredients
- 3 cups of short dry pasta
- ½ cup heavy cream
- ½ cup cream cheese
- ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese
- 2 garlic cloves
- 1 large onion
- 1 broccoli head
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp ground pepper
- ½ cup walnuts
Instructions
- Remove the broccoli stem and chop its head into florets. Cook them in a steamer or into boiling water until your preferred tenderness. In my case, I cooked it in boiling water for four minutes. Drain water and set aside.
- Chop the onion into small pieces. Then heat two tablespoons of olive oil in a medium-sized pan and sauté onion until translucent, season with salt. Next, add minced garlic and sauté for one minute until fragrant.
- Remove from heat and add cream cheese, heavy cream, grated parmesan, ground pepper, and chopped walnuts. Stir to combine. Fold in cooked broccoli. Set aside.
- Cook the pasta following its package instructions.
- Once pasta is cooked, drain it and combine it with the prepared sauce. Note: you may need to re-heat the sauce before mixing it with the pasta.
- Serve warm with extra parmesan and ground pepper.
Notes
Tips
RecipeNotes
Creamy Broccoli Pasta is an easy and affordable recipe for any week's dinner. This creamy pasta is excellent for the whole family, packed with broccoli and nuts that provide a fantastic taste and tossed with a creamy sauce, which can't ever go wrong.
