Easy Broccoli Pasta Recipe with Garlic and Parmesan
Easy Broccoli Pasta Recipe with Garlic and Parmesan is a quick, comforting dinner that’s better than takeout. After making this many times, I’ve discovered the trick to perfectly crispy broccoli. Jump to the recipe card or keep reading for my best tips. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Easy Sun-Dried Tomato Spinach Grilled Cheese Recipe and Crispy Gluten-Free Orange Chicken Recipe for Dinner.
Why This Easy Broccoli Pasta Recipe with Garlic and Parmesan Is Pure Comfort
- Crispy broccoli florets in every bite
- Rich, creamy garlic Parmesan sauce
- Ready in just 20 minutes
- Better than takeout and freezer-friendly
What You'll Need for Easy Broccoli Pasta Recipe with Garlic and Parmesan
Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.
- 12 oz (340g) pasta (like penne or rigatoni)
- 4 cups (280g) broccoli florets
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup (240ml) heavy cream
- 1 cup (115g) grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 tsp (5ml) olive oil
- Optional: Fresh basil or parsley, chopped
- Optional: Extra Parmesan cheese
đź“ť Ingredient Notes
- pasta: Any shape will do, but penne or rigatoni work best.
- broccoli: Fresh or frozen both work. If using frozen, thaw before cooking.
đź›’ Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Stainless Steel Pasta Pot — Even heat distribution for perfect pasta every time. → See on Amazon
- Microplane Zester Grater — Effortlessly grates garlic and cheese for a smooth, consistent texture. → See on Amazon
How to Make Easy Broccoli Pasta Recipe with Garlic and Parmesan
- Cook Pasta: Boil water, add pasta, cook until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
- Sauté Garlic: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook until fragrant (about 30 seconds).
- Cook Broccoli: Add broccoli florets to the skillet, season with salt and pepper, and cook until crispy (about 5 minutes).
- Make Sauce: Stir in heavy cream, bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low. Add Parmesan cheese and stir until melted and creamy. If needed, thin sauce with reserved pasta water.
- Toss Pasta: Add cooked pasta to the skillet, toss to combine with the sauce and broccoli. If desired, add red pepper flakes and more salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve: Plate the pasta, garnish with fresh basil or parsley and extra Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Easy Broccoli Pasta Recipe with Garlic and Parmesan
- Common mistake and fix: Don't overcook the broccoli. It should still have a slight crunch. If it's too soft, it will become mushy when reheated.
- Pro tip: For a lighter version, substitute half-and-half for the heavy cream and add a squeeze of lemon juice for brightness.
- Pro tip: To make this recipe gluten-free, use gluten-free pasta and ensure all other ingredients are certified gluten-free.
Storing & Reheating Easy Broccoli Pasta Recipe with Garlic and Parmesan
Short-Term Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Make-ahead tip: The pasta can be cooked and the broccoli sautéed up to 2 days ahead. Store separately in the fridge and combine when ready to serve.
Freezing Easy Broccoli Pasta Recipe with Garlic and Parmesan
Freeze individual portions in airtight containers for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for 15-20 minutes, or until heated through. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 2-3 minutes, or until heated through. Stir halfway through.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a one-pot meal, cook the pasta directly in the skillet after sautéing the broccoli. Add more water as needed to cook the pasta.
- Best substitution: Instead of heavy cream, you can use an equal amount of milk and a tablespoon of cornstarch to thicken the sauce.
- Make-ahead: This recipe can be made ahead and reheated, but the broccoli may lose some of its crispiness.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled to serve more people.
- Troubleshooting: If your sauce is too thick, add more pasta water or milk to reach your desired consistency.
Want to level up this recipe?
Stainless Steel Skillet — Even heat distribution for perfectly cooked broccoli and a smooth, creamy sauce. → Check price on Amazon
Easy Broccoli Pasta Recipe with Garlic and Parmesan
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 12 oz (340g) pasta (like penne or rigatoni)
- 4 cups (280g) broccoli florets
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup (240ml) heavy cream
- 1 cup (115g) grated Parmesan cheese
Seasonings
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 tsp (5ml) olive oil
Optional Toppings
- Fresh basil or parsley, chopped
- Extra Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Boil water, add pasta, cook until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
- Sauté Garlic: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook until fragrant (about 30 seconds).
- Cook Broccoli: Add broccoli florets to the skillet, season with salt and pepper, and cook until crispy (about 5 minutes).
- Make Sauce: Stir in heavy cream, bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low. Add Parmesan cheese and stir until melted and creamy. If needed, thin sauce with reserved pasta water.
- Toss Pasta: Add cooked pasta to the skillet, toss to combine with the sauce and broccoli. If desired, add red pepper flakes and more salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve: Plate the pasta, garnish with fresh basil or parsley and extra Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a one-pot meal, cook the pasta directly in the skillet after sautéing the broccoli. Add more water as needed to cook the pasta.
- Best substitution: Instead of heavy cream, you can use an equal amount of milk and a tablespoon of cornstarch to thicken the sauce.
- Make-ahead: This recipe can be made ahead and reheated, but the broccoli may lose some of its crispiness.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled to serve more people.
- Troubleshooting: If your sauce is too thick, add more pasta water or milk to reach your desired consistency.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
- Freezer: Freeze individual portions in airtight containers for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
- Oven reheat: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for 15-20 minutes, or until heated through.
- Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 2-3 minutes, or until heated through. Stir halfway through.
- Make ahead: The pasta can be cooked and the broccoli sautéed up to 2 days ahead. Store separately in the fridge and combine when ready to serve.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 620
- Protein: 22g
- Fat: 28g
- Carbs: 75g
- Fiber: 5g
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 750mg
- Cholesterol: 80mg
- Sat. Fat: 16g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Easy Broccoli Pasta Recipe with Garlic and Parmesan FAQs
Overcooking the broccoli can cause it to become mushy. To prevent this, cook the broccoli until it's still slightly crunchy.
Yes, you can cook the pasta and sauté the broccoli up to 2 days ahead. Store separately in the fridge and combine when ready to serve.
Use gluten-free pasta and ensure all other ingredients are certified gluten-free.
Yes, you can freeze individual portions in airtight containers for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Try adding red pepper flakes, sun-dried tomatoes, or roasted garlic for extra flavor.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Easy Broccoli Pasta Recipe with Garlic and Parmesan and see how effortlessly it comes together. When you make it, pop back here and leave a rating or share how it turned out — I love hearing from you!
