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.
Lisa
Yum! I wonder if I could get my kids to eat this since they don’t like broccoli, but they love pasta. I would bake some chicken and add it within.
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Lisa! Enjoy!
Christiana
What’s not to love about this dish, easy to make, delicious and healthy. Love it.
Beth Pierce
Thank you, Christiana!
Melanie E
I loved that this was simple yet tasty. Great flavour combo, the kids loved it!
Claudia
My husband and son ate this up so fast! I love how easy it was to make, too. A winner all the way around.
Beth Pierce
So happy that they liked it.
Catalina
Simple and delicious! I wasn’t expecting much but the flavors really came together so nicely. A great way to sneak more broccoli into dinner.
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Catalina! I am so glad that you enjoyed it!
Staci k
I love broccoli and I love pasta. I HAVE to make this. HAVE to. Thank you for this genius, simple idea.
Paula
Loved this simple pasta recipe! It was incredible flavorful with just a few ingredients, I was impressed!
Mahy
This is one amazing pasta! Easy to make and uses that broccoli like a pro. Love it!
Kristin
This is so good! I love all the flavor, but it’s nice and light, as well. Perfect for getting the kids to eat their veggies.
Maria
This was really good. I added some grilled chicken nd made a meal of it.