Description
A delicious and comforting dish that combines rich cheddar cheese and fresh broccoli in a creamy sauce, perfect for a quick dinner or meal prep.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound (450g) Pasta of your choice (medium shells, rotini, cavatappi, or penne)
- 1 large head of Broccoli (about 1.5 lbs or 680g), cut into small florets
- 2 tablespoons Unsalted Butter
- 1 medium Yellow Onion, finely chopped (about 1 cup)
- 3 cloves Garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup All-Purpose Flour
- 2 cups Vegetable Broth
- 1.5 cups Milk (whole or 2% recommended)
- 1 teaspoon Dijon Mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon Smoked Paprika (optional)
- Salt and freshly ground Black Pepper to taste
- 8 ounces (225g) Sharp Cheddar Cheese, freshly grated
- 4 ounces (113g) Cream Cheese, cut into cubes (optional)
- Fresh Parsley, chopped (for garnish, optional)
Instructions
- Cook the pasta in a large pot of salted water according to package directions until al dente.
- Add broccoli florets to the boiling pasta water 3-4 minutes before the pasta is done.
- Reserve about 1 cup pasta water, then drain the pasta and broccoli mixture.
- In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat, add onion, and sauté for about 5-7 minutes.
- Add minced garlic and smoked paprika, cooking for another minute.
- Sprinkle flour over the onion mixture, whisk for 1-2 minutes.
- Gradually whisk in vegetable broth, then add milk, whisking until smooth.
- Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer, stirring frequently until thickened (about 3-5 minutes).
- Stir in Dijon mustard and season with salt and pepper.
- Reduce heat to low and add cheddar cheese, stirring until melted. If using, add cream cheese and stir until smooth.
- Add cooked pasta and broccoli to the sauce, mixing until well coated. Adjust thickness with reserved pasta water if necessary.
- Garnish with fresh parsley and serve warm.
Notes
Use fresh ingredients for the best flavor. You can substitute other vegetables like spinach or kale, and experiment with cheese varieties.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 55g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 70mg