Description
Comforting one-pot broccoli cheese pesto pasta brings Italian-inspired simplicity to weeknight dinners. Creamy cheese, tender broccoli, and aromatic pesto blend seamlessly, promising you a delightful meal that satisfies with minimal cleanup and maximum flavor.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 pound short-cut pasta (penne, rotini, or shells)
- 2 cups broccoli, chopped
- 1 cup heavy cream (or whole milk)
- 1.5 cups shredded Colby Jack (or cheddar cheese)
- 1/2 cup basil pesto
Seasonings and Flavor Enhancers:
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon hot sauce
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Garnish:
- 2 tablespoons fresh chopped basil
Instructions
- Fill a spacious pot with water, bringing it to a rolling boil over high heat. Introduce salt, pasta, and finely chopped broccoli, allowing them to simmer together for approximately 8 minutes. Gently stir periodically to ensure even cooking. Retain the cooking liquid.
- Incorporate milk into the pot, then gradually fold in shredded cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, hot sauce, and basil pesto. Continuously stir until the ingredients meld into a smooth, velvety consistency.
- Transition the pot off the heat source. Gently blend in Parmesan cheese and freshly torn basil leaves. Delicately season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to suit your taste preferences. Should the sauce appear overly dense, introduce a modest splash of milk or water to achieve desired consistency.
- Transfer the aromatic mixture into serving bowls. Embellish with an additional sprinkle of black pepper and present while piping hot, inviting immediate enjoyment.
Notes
- Customize pasta thickness by adjusting liquid – add extra milk or pasta water to reach desired consistency.
- Transform into gluten-free version by using alternative pasta like chickpea or lentil pasta for added protein.
- Enhance nutrition by incorporating additional vegetables like spinach or roasted cauliflower for extra vitamins and texture.
- Reduce dairy content by substituting half the cheese with nutritional yeast for a lighter, plant-based alternative that maintains creamy flavor profile.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 420 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg