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Easy & Creamy Broccoli Pasta (Ready in 20 Minutes)

A quick vegetarian pasta dish featuring tender broccoli in a smooth, cheesy cream sauce ready in just 20 minutes.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main
Cuisine: Italian-Inspired, Weeknight
Calories: 420

Ingredients
  

Pasta
  • 300 g pasta penne or fusilli
  • 2 cups broccoli florets bite-sized
Sauce
  • 2 tbsp olive oil or butter
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 cup cooking cream
  • 0.75 cup Parmesan cheese grated
  • 0.5 tsp salt to taste
  • 0.25 tsp black pepper
  • 0.25 tsp chili flakes optional
  • 0.25 cup pasta water reserved
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley chopped, optional

Equipment

  • Large pot
  • Colander
  • Large skillet
  • Wooden spoon

Method
 

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook pasta until al dente.
  2. Add broccoli during the last 3–4 minutes of pasta cooking.
  3. Reserve 1/4 cup pasta water and drain.
  4. Heat olive oil or butter in a skillet and sauté garlic.
  5. Add cream, salt, pepper, and chili flakes; simmer briefly.
  6. Stir in Parmesan until melted.
  7. Add pasta and broccoli, tossing with reserved water.
  8. Cook one more minute, garnish, and serve.

Notes

Use freshly grated cheese and do not overcook broccoli for best texture.