With simple ingredients that kids and parents will enjoy, this quick and easy family dinner of Creamy Broccoli Pasta is ready to go into regular rotation. Bonus: It takes only 20 minutes to make!
Creamy Broccoli Pasta
This lemony pasta with broccoli is a quick and easy family dinner that we love. It’s a nice way to change up pasta night and I love that it’s a satisfying vegetarian meal.
You cook the broccoli at the end of cooking the pasta—right in the same pot—which simplifies the process and means less clean up. Then, all you need to do is drain and toss with the sauce.
I make the sauce with ricotta cheese, a little of the pasta cooking water, lemon, and Parmesan. It’s such a yummy mix, especially for a toddler pasta!
Ingredients You Need
To make this easy family meal, you’ll need:
- Pasta
- Broccoli florets
- Garlic powder
- Ricotta cheese
- Fresh lemon
- Parmesan cheese
TIP: I like to use whole milk ricotta if possible for maximum creaminess.
Step by Step Instructions
Here’s a look at how to make this recipe. Scroll to the bottom of the post for the full info.
- Add the ingredients for the cottage cheese sauce to the blender.
- Blend smooth.
- Prepare pasta, adding the broccoli at the tail end of cooking. Drain and toss with butter.
- Toss the pasta and broccoli with the sauce, adding some reserved pasta water until creamy.
TIP: Ladle out some of the pasta water before you drain so you have it set aside and ready to use.
You can really use whichever type of pasta you prefer, though regular semolina or whole wheat pasta will leave gluten in the pasta water that will help to make the sauce smooth.
If you want to use gluten-free pasta, you can replace the pasta cooking water with broth or stock.
To use frozen broccoli instead of fresh, add it to the pasta cooking pot for just the final minute of cooking.
Sure thing. Save any remaining pasta cooking water in an airtight container and add it to the pasta if it needs more moisture when reheating.
Best Tips for Success
- Ladle out some of the pasta water before you drain so you have it set aside and ready to use.
- Use whichever type of pasta your family prefers.
- If using gluten-free pasta, you can use stock or broth instead of pasta water to smooth out the sauce.
- Use full-fat ricotta cheese for the creamiest results.
- Save any remaining pasta cooking water to add moisture when reheating the pasta.
- To use frozen broccoli instead of fresh, add it to the pasta cooking pot for just the final minute of cooking.
- Know that this is lemony!
- You might also like Kale Pesto Pasta, Spinach Pesto Pasta, Avocado Pasta, and Sweet Potato Mac and Cheese.
I’d love to hear your feedback if you try this recipe, so please comment below to share.
This post was first published June 2019.
Creamy Pasta with Broccoli
Ingredients
- 16 ounces pasta
- 16 ounces broccoli florets (about 2 small heads)
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 cup whole milk ricotta cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 teaspoons lemon zest
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
Instructions
- Prepare pasta according to package directions, using a very large pot. Add the broccoli for the last 3 minutes of cooking. Reserve ½ cup of the pasta cooking water.
- Drain the pasta and broccoli in a colander. Return to the pot. Toss with the butter.
- Meanwhile, add the ricotta, lemon zest, lemon juice, salt, Parmesan cheese, and ¼ cup cold water to blender. Blend smooth.
- Add the cheese mixture to the pot with the pasta and broccoli. Use a spatula to toss the pasta until coated, adding a little of the reserved pasta water at a time until a smooth, but thick sauce forms.
- Transfer pasta to a large bowl and top with additional cheese to serve—if desired.
- Store any leftovers in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Reheat to serve, stirring in a little of the reserved pasta water, regular water, or broth if needed.
Equipment
Notes
- Ladle out some of the pasta water before you drain so you have it set aside and ready to use.
- Use whichever type of pasta your family prefers.
- If using gluten-free pasta, you can use stock or broth instead of pasta water to smooth out the sauce.
- Save any remaining pasta cooking water to add moisture when reheating the pasta.
- To use frozen broccoli instead of fresh, add it to the pasta cooking pot for just the final minute of cooking.
- This does taste lemony so you may want to reduce the amount of lemon juice slightly if that flavor is new to your kids.
- Use cottage cheese instead of ricotta if preferred.
My toddler and my husband loved it!! Both are broccoli lovers 🙂 I love how easy it was to make!
I just want you to know that my 21 month old LOVED this!! He ate so much ☺️ I also loved how easy this was to make and my son was even able to help. We love your recipes, thank you so much!
I’m so glad!
The whole family loooovvveed this! Next time I may add some shrimp! Thanks Amy!
Would you recommend for a 13 month old or would you make any changes?
I think it would be fine. You may just need to cut up pasta a little smaller for easy eating.
the ingredient list calls for riccotta cheese but recipe for cottage cheese, are they interchangeable with cooking?
yes, and sorry about the confusion.
Can I use yogurt instead of cottage cheese?
It wouldn’t have the same texture so I’m not sure I would. Ricotta cheese would work though
How do you think it would turn out without the parmesan cheese? Do you think nutritional yeast (maybe not quite so much) would be an ok substitute?
I think it would be okay but you’d perhaps need a little more salt. Taste it and see what you think!
OYG , It was amazing
Can I add chicken to this recipe?
Sure!