• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
The Natural Nurturer
  • Home
  • Info
    • About
    • Subscribe
    • Contact
  • Recipes
    • Recipes by Type
      • Breakfast
        • Muffins
        • Oatmeal
        • Pancakes & Waffles
      • Desserts
      • Dinner
      • Dips, Sauces & Spreads
      • How To
      • Salads
      • Side Dishes
      • Smoothies & Drinks
      • Snacks
      • Soups
    • Recipes by Diet
      • Dairy-Free
      • Gluten-Free
      • Grain Free
      • Nut-Free
      • Paleo
      • Vegan
      • Vegetarian
      • Whole30
    • Recipes by Cooking Method
      • Air Fryer
      • Instant Pot
      • Meal Prep
      • No Cook
      • Roasted
      • Slow Cooker
    • Recipe Search
    • Recipe Index
    • Recipe Stories
  • Shop
    • Ebooks and Meal Plans
    • Recommended Products
  • Blog
    • Food For Thought
Home » Dietary Preference » Vegetarian » Quick & Easy Creamy Broccoli Pasta

Quick & Easy Creamy Broccoli Pasta

By Taesha Butler November 30, 2021 (Updated January 13, 2023) 5 Comments

Servings6 servings
Prep Time10 mins
Cook Time18 mins
Jump to Recipe
5 from 4 votes

Done in about 20 minutes and so delicious, this Creamy Broccoli Pasta is going to be a new favorite! Vegetarian and easily gluten free, enjoy this veggie-loaded dish as main meal or as a side dish!

Family-friendly broccoli side

When I have no idea what to make for dinner on a busy weeknight, I almost always default to an easy vegetarian pasta recipe.

And this Creamy Broccoli Pasta has become the perfect jumping off point for dinner. Super simple to make, this creamy sauce + pasta + veggies comes together in 20 minutes! Vegetarian, made in one pot, and easily gluten free. Bump up the protein in this broccoli recipe and toss in your favorite protein into the mix.

Bonus: You can enjoy this side as a main dish too, if you are a pasta lovin’ crew. This recipe makes 4 servings as a main course or 6 to 8 when enjoyed as a side.

20-minute Creamy Broccoli Pasta

Why this Creamy Broccoli Pasta is so awesome!

  • It’s made in one pot! All the veggie-loaded yum with no extra dishes. I live for these kinds of recipes.
  • Naturally vegetarian, though you can easily add your favorite protein to this broccoli pasta recipe! Crispy tofu goes great with this, but cooked chicken, shrimp, or sausage are delicious animal proteins that pair beautifully with this veggie side dish.
  • Cooks up in 20 minutes, making it perfect for those crazy weeknights when you are going in all directions.
  • Loaded with broccoli, making it a perfect + delicious way to get veggies in at dinner….even if your family is iffy on the veggies.
  • Can easily be made gluten free with your favorite gluten free pasta.
Process shots for how to make creamy broccoli pasta.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this broccoli pasta recipe gluten free?

You sure can! Just use your favorite gluten free pasta. Any kind of pasta will work well.

How can I make this creamy pasta dairy-free?

I have not tried this recipe with dairy-free substitutes, but I think it will work using a dairy-free cream cheese and shredded cheese. Make sure to taste the final sauce and add seasoning to taste.

Can I use frozen broccoli?

Yes, add the frozen broccoli to the pasta when it’s fully cooked because frozen broccoli is already cooked and just needs to be stirred into the boiling water for 30 seconds to defrost.

Can this broccoli pasta be made ahead of time?

Sure. Just add some extra broth to the pasta when you reheat. This will help prevent the pasta from being too dry when rewarmed.

What’s the best kind of pasta to go with broccoli?

You can use whatever pasta your family enjoys or you have on hand, but I’ve found this recipe works best with the small shaped pastas. Shapes like shells, fusilli, or elbows.

How do you cook broccoli for pasta?

Right IN the pasta water! Awesome, right? Broccoli doesn’t need long to cook, so you just add the florets to the hot pasta water when there are a few minutes left on the timer. The broccoli cooks to perfection without making extra dishes and without getting mushy.

How to cut broccoli for pasta?

Into small, bite-sized florets is ideal. That way the broccoli will cook quickly and you can enjoy a bit of broccoli in every forkful. Or, use small cut frozen broccoli florets and save yourself a step!

Process shots of how to make creamy broccoli pasta.

Up the veggies!

Want to veggie-load this Creamy Broccoli Pasta even more?

Woohoo! You are singing my tune. So many vegetables would be great in this pasta, such as…

  • peas
  • green beans
  • cauliflower
  • If you want to add greens, like spinach, wilt the leaves in the sauce just before adding the cooked pasta since spinach doesn’t take very long to cook.

Suggested Adaptations

  • Add some spice. If you enjoy a little heat in your broccoli pasta, add a little crushed red peppers flakes to the final dish.
  • Make it as part of meal prep. The leftovers are magical.
  • Add some extra protein. Broccoli has a lovely amount of plant protein. However, if you’d like to up it a bit more, add some crispy tofu, cooked chicken, shrimp, or sausage to this broccoli pasta.

Other broccoli recipes you will love!

  • Roasted Air Fryer Broccoli
  • Instant Pot Broccoli
  • Savory Vegetable Muffins
  • Teriyaki Broccoli Chickpea Stir Fry
  • Broccoli Tots
  • Easy Chicken Broccoli Casserole

Loving this broccoli pasta recipe and now you’re hungry for more?

Sign up so that my newsletter is delivered straight to your inbox. And be sure to follow me on Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram for all kinds of veggie-loaded and healthy living ideas!

Creamy broccoli pasta after it has been cooked with grated cheese on top.
Print Recipe
5 from 4 votes

Creamy Broccoli Pasta (20 Minutes!)

This broccoli pasta is creamy, delicious, and so easy to make! This one-pot recipe makes the perfect simple vegetarian dinner. It cooks up in just 20 minutes and can be easily made gluten free!
Prep Time10 mins
Cook Time18 mins
Course: Main Course, Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Diet: Vegetarian
Keyword: broccoli, cheese, onion, pasta
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 283kcal
Author: Taesha Butler

Ingredients 

  • 8 ounces small-shaped pasta of choice use gluten free for gluten free option
  • 8 ounces broccoli florets, cut into bite sized-pieces about 3 cups
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • ½ cup finely chopped onion
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 clove garlic minced
  • ½ cup vegetable broth
  • 1/3 cup cream cheese about 3 ounces
  • ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese or any cheese your prefer
  • ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Instructions 

  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and set a timer for the cook time on the box minus 2 to 3 minutes.
  • Add the broccoli to the water when 3 minutes are left if you like your broccoli on the softer side and add the broccoli in when there are 2 minutes left if you like it a little more crisp. After the cook time is up, taste a piece of broccoli to make sure it’s cooked to your liking. Drain pot into a colander and set pot back on the stove.
  • Add oil to the pot and place on medium heat. Once the oil is hot, add onion and salt and cook, stirring occasionally, until translucent, 4 to 5 minutes.
  • Stir in garlic and cook for an additional minute. Add vegetable broth and simmer for 2 to 3 minutes to make sure the onion is fully softened.
  • Stir in cream cheese to melt then add shredded cheese and whisk until melted and combined. Season with black pepper.
  • Add in cooked pasta and broccoli and stir to coat in the sauce. Taste and add additional salt and pepper, as desired. Serve.

Nutrition

Calories: 283kcal | Carbohydrates: 33g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 24mg | Sodium: 387mg | Potassium: 253mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 542IU | Vitamin C: 35mg | Calcium: 110mg | Iron: 1mg

The nutritional information is provided as an estimate only and may vary based on the product type, servings and other factors. If you are following a diet, please consult with a professional nutritionist or your doctor. Stay healthy!

Sharing is caring!

261 shares
  • Share13
  • Tweet

Filed Under: Dinner, Nut-Free, Side Dishes, Vegetarian Tagged With: broccoli

Previous Post: « Healthier Hamburger Helper (with veggies!)
Next Post: Wholesome 5-Minute Sweet Potato Smoothie »

Reader Interactions

    Leave a comment & rate this recipe Cancel reply

    Did you make this recipe? So good, right? It would mean the world to me if you left a comment and star rating so that more people can see how delicious veggie-loading can be. Plus, it helps me to see what recipes you are all loving so I can make more like them.

    Thanks for taking the time to share your feedback.

    Recipe Rating




    Comments

  1. Sara

    September 17, 2021 at 6:24 pm

    Do you think that Ricotta or Mascarpone Cheese could work instead of the cream cheese?

    Reply
    • Taesha Butler

      September 17, 2021 at 8:22 pm

      It might! I haven’t tried it but would love to hear how it is if you give it a go!

      Reply
  2. Cheryl

    September 24, 2021 at 4:38 pm

    5 stars
    Love this recipe!! It reminds me of an unprocessed (much tastier) version of a tuna helper I used to love, so after enjoying it as is, I tried it the next day reheated with the splash of veggie broth and some canned tuna. So versatile and delicious!!

    Reply
  3. Jessie Root

    November 16, 2021 at 4:07 am

    5 stars
    Dinner perfection. I LOVE how quickly this came together and even better how easily it deconstructs for selective eaters! AAAAND it can be super versatile. I was going to add bacon but, well, it all got eaten. Sausage would be delicious, too. I have plans to eat the tiny bit of leftovers with a poached egg….
    I’m in love.

    Reply
    • Taesha Butler

      November 16, 2021 at 1:34 pm

      Yay! This always makes me so happy to hear!

      Reply

Primary Sidebar

Hi! I'm Taesha! I help busy people fall in love with healthy eating with my simple, family-friendly, veggie-loaded recipes. I believe vegetables can and SHOULD be delicious. Here, let me show you how!
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest

Categories

Newsletter

Subscribe to our email list.

Never miss a new veggie-loaded recipe or natural living rambling.

Once you have subscribed, you will receive an email asking you to confirm. Please click "yes" and you'll be added to my list. And just my list. Your privacy is important and I totally respect it. I won't be sharing your email with anyone else....no matter how nicely they ask.

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest

Footer

As seen in…

As seen in brand wall collage

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest

© 2023 The Natural Nurturer - Privacy Policy - Accessibility Policy - Support by Foodie Digital

  • 13