This quick and easy one-pot broccoli pasta combines shell pasta and broccoli in a creamy Parmesan cheese sauce seasoned with garlic and dried Italian herbs. This delicious side dish is perfect with chicken, beef, or pork. Or serve on its own as a hearty vegetarian meal.
You are going to love this easy one-pot pasta. It does not get much easier than this. Serve it with roasted chicken or New York strip steak for a hearty meal. Or add some grilled shrimp or diced rotisserie chicken and make it a main course.
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
See the complete list of ingredients below on the recipe card.
- Butter: Salted or unsalted
- Garlic: Fresh is the way to go here.
- Seasoning: Italian Seasoning and fresh herbs such as thyme, rosemary, basil, or parsley
- Chicken broth: Preferably low sodium.
- Milk: I use 2% but whole milk works as well.
- Heavy cream: You can substitute whipping cream
- Medium shell pasta: You can substitute cellentani, rotini, or bowtie.
- Parmesan cheese: Use freshly grated for the best melt and flavor.
How To Make Broccoli Pasta
This is a summary version; for the complete list of ingredients and instructions, please refer to the recipe card below.
Melt the butter in a large pot over medium-low heat. Add the garlic and Italian seasoning and cook for a minute while stirring continuously. Increase the heat to medium and add the chicken broth, milk, heavy cream, salt, and black pepper. Bring the pot to a boil and add the pasta. Then reduce to a simmer for 7-8 minutes, stirring frequently.
Add the broccoli and cover with the lid to steam. Cook for 3-4 minutes or until the pasta is tender and the broccoli is crisp-tender. Stir in the Parmesan cheese until melted. Season with more salt and pepper to taste.
Preparation Tips
- Cut the broccoli into small florets or bite-sized pieces.
- Keep the pasta submerged in the liquid and simmer it.
- The sauce will thicken more upon standing. If you want it to be thicker, you can add more Parmesan cheese.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave at reduced power or on the stovetop over low heat.
Serving Suggestions for Broccoli Pasta
- Chicken: chicken francese, chicken Florentine, chicken piccata, or chicken bruschetta.
- Soup: French onion soup, Italian sausage soup, or sausage tortellini soup
- Salad: Olive Garden salad, Christmas salad, or Arugula salad
More Pasta Recipes
Broccoli Pasta Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 3 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 cup milk
- ⅔ cup heavy cream
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 12 ounces shell pasta
- 3 cups broccoli florets
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- fresh herbs like parsley, thyme, or rosemary for garnish
Instructions
- Melt the butter in a large pot over medium-low heat. Add the garlic and Italian seasoning and cook for a minute while stirring continuously
- Increase the heat to medium and add the chicken broth, milk, heavy cream, salt, and black pepper. Bring the pot to a boil and add the pasta. Reduce and simmer for 7-8 minutes, stirring frequently.
- Add the broccoli and cover with the lid to steam. Cook for 3-4 minutes or until the pasta is tender and the broccoli is crisp-tender.
- Stir in the Parmesan cheese until melted. Season with more salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Garnish with chopped fresh herbs
Notes
- Cut the broccoli into small florets or bite-sized pieces.
- Keep the pasta submerged in the liquid and simmer it.
- The sauce will thicken more upon standing. You can add more Parmesan cheese if you want to thicken it up more.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave at reduced power or on the stovetop over low heat.
Jessica
This pasta recipe was so very creamy! I love broccoli and pasta, this was tasty and easy to make. Thank you for sharing.
Kira
This is one of our go to meals. We all absolutely love brocolli pasta. Such an easy dish but delicious!
Beth Pierce
Thank you, Kira! So glad that you liked it.
Mary
Great way to get in a little bit of veggies in your pasta. This was a delightful combination. We have so much broccoli from the farmer’s market, so I will be making it again.
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Mary! I am so glad that you liked it.
Stacy
Broccoli and pasta are my two favorite things, so I just had to try. It was SO good!
Tammy
That looks so good and perfect for the end of summer with so much broccoli out there.
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Tammy! Enjoy!
Mayuri
This is such an amazing recipe – my daughter loves broccoli and pasta, she will definitely love it! Saving it now!!!!
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Mayuri! Enjoy!
Callie
This is a great creamy pasta recipe. My kids love pasta but get bored of the same sauces – this works really well with the broccoli. A bonus that broccoli is really good for you too!