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Broccoli Pasta

Featured in Family-Favorite Main Dishes.

Creamy pasta with broccoli sauce, parmesan and fresh basil. Ready in 35 minutes, vegetarian and easily customizable for a perfect weeknight dinner.
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Rehan Magic House Recipes
Updated on Tue, 25 Mar 2025 22:58:50 GMT
Broccoli Pasta - Super Creamy & Simple! Pin it
Broccoli Pasta - Super Creamy & Simple! | magichouserecipes.com

This dish combines tender broccoli florets with silky pasta in a wonderfully creamy sauce. The combination of steamed broccoli, savory garlic, and high-quality Parmesan creates a harmonious balance that convinces even vegetable skeptics. The mashed broccoli transforms into a velvety sauce that perfectly combines with the pasta.

Our Basic Ingredients

  • 500g broccoli: Firm, dark green heads with closed florets
  • 400g pasta: Short shapes like penne or fusilli
  • 4 garlic cloves: Fresh for intense aroma
  • 200g crème fraîche: For velvety consistency
  • 100g Parmesan: Freshly grated
  • 4 tbsp olive oil: High-quality Mediterranean oil
  • Fresh basil: For aromatic note
  • Sea salt and black pepper: For seasoning
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Creamy Broccoli Pasta - Quick, Easy & Delicious! | magichouserecipes.com

The Path to Perfect Pasta

Vegetable Preparation:
Divide broccoli into florets, dice stem. Chop garlic, mince basil.
Pasta Preparation:
Cook al dente in salted water. Preserve pasta water.
Broccoli Processing:
Blanch in pasta water for 4 minutes.
Sauce Creation:
Sauté garlic until golden brown, mash broccoli.
Final Composition:
Fold in crème fraîche and Parmesan, adjust with pasta water.

Serving Suggestions

  • With arugula salad and pine nuts
  • Serve as pasta salad
  • Garnish with fresh basil

Creative Variations

  • With cauliflower or peas
  • Vegan with cashew cream
  • Gluten-free with chickpea pasta
  • With roasted almonds
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Ultra-Creamy Broccoli Pasta - Perfect for Every Day! | magichouserecipes.com

Storage

  • In refrigerator up to 3 days
  • Reheat with water/milk
  • Suitable as office lunch

After years of experience, this recipe is my absolute favorite. The combination of simplicity and flavor makes it the perfect everyday dish that is still something special. It's amazing how such a simple dish can bring so much joy.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I use different pasta shapes?
Yes, all pasta shapes work well. Shapes that capture the creamy sauce well are especially suitable.
→ How can I make this dish vegan?
Replace the crème fraîche with a plant-based alternative and use vegan parmesan or nutritional yeast.
→ Why crush the broccoli?
Crushing creates a creamy sauce and distributes the flavor better throughout the dish.
→ Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes, but it's best to store the pasta separately and add it to the sauce when reheating.
→ How spicy is it with the chili flakes?
The spiciness is mild. You can adjust the amount to taste or omit it entirely.

Creamy Pasta with Broccoli

Creamy pasta with tender broccoli, parmesan and fresh basil - a quick and delicious dish the whole family will love.

Prep Time
15 Minutes
Cook Time
20 Minutes
Total Time
35 Minutes
By: Reham

Category: Main Courses

Difficulty: Easy

Cuisine: Italian

Yield: 4 Servings

Dietary: Vegetarian

Ingredients

→ Main ingredients

01 1 lb (500g) pasta of your choice (orecchiette or penne work well)
02 1¾ lbs (800g) fresh broccoli (about 2 medium heads)
03 4 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
04 1 cup (100g) freshly grated Parmesan cheese

→ Sauce and seasonings

05 1½ tablespoons crème fraîche (or sour cream)
06 ½-1 teaspoon red pepper flakes, to taste
07 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
08 Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

→ For garnish

09 1 handful fresh basil leaves, torn
10 Extra Parmesan cheese for serving
11 High-quality olive oil for drizzling

Instructions

Step 01

Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil. While waiting, cut the broccoli into florets and peel the stems, then dice them into small pieces (don't waste the stems - they're delicious!). Add the broccoli to the boiling water and cook for 3-5 minutes until tender but still bright green. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the broccoli to a bowl, reserving the cooking water for the pasta.

Step 02

In a large, deep skillet or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the sliced garlic and cook until fragrant but not browned, about 1-2 minutes. Add the red pepper flakes and cook for another 30 seconds to infuse the oil. Add the cooked broccoli to the pan and increase the heat to medium-high. Cook, stirring occasionally, for about 3-4 minutes until the broccoli starts to get some golden edges.

Step 03

Using a potato masher or the back of a wooden spoon, crush about half of the broccoli in the pan to create a chunky sauce, leaving some florets whole for texture. Meanwhile, cook the pasta in the reserved broccoli water according to package directions until al dente. Add the crème fraîche and grated Parmesan to the broccoli mixture, stirring to combine. Season generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper. If the sauce seems too thick, add a few tablespoons of the pasta cooking water to reach your desired consistency.

Step 04

When the pasta is done, drain it, reserving another cup of cooking water. Add the pasta directly to the broccoli sauce and toss well to coat, adding more cooking water if needed to keep everything creamy. Taste and adjust seasonings if necessary. Serve immediately in warmed bowls, topped with torn fresh basil leaves, a generous sprinkle of additional Parmesan cheese, and a drizzle of your best olive oil.

Notes

  1. This rustic Italian pasta dish makes the humble broccoli the star of the show. For a time-saving shortcut, you can use frozen broccoli florets instead of fresh - just adjust the initial cooking time accordingly. The beauty of this dish is in its simplicity, so using high-quality ingredients like a good Parmesan and extra virgin olive oil makes a noticeable difference.

Tools You'll Need

  • Large deep skillet or Dutch oven
  • Large pot for pasta
  • Potato masher or wooden spoon

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Contains gluten
  • Contains dairy products

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 475
  • Total Fat: ~
  • Total Carbohydrate: ~
  • Protein: ~