Description
A rich and creamy cheesy broccoli pasta that combines tender sautéed broccoli with a luscious sauce of mozzarella and parmesan cheeses, perfect for a comforting and delicious meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 2 tablespoon Butter
- 2 tablespoon Olive oil
- 1 Yellow Onion, diced
- 500 g Fresh Broccoli, chopped
- 4 cloves Garlic, minced
- 2 cups Heavy Cream
- 8 oz Mozzarella Cheese, shredded
- 8 oz Parmesan Cheese, grated
- ½ cup Pasta water (reserved)
- 16 oz Ditalini Pasta
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare Aromatics: In a large skillet, melt the butter with olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and diced onion, sautéing until translucent, about 7 minutes. Season with 1 teaspoon of salt to enhance the flavor.
- Sauté Broccoli: Stir in the chopped broccoli and continue to sauté for another 5 minutes, until the broccoli is tender but still vibrant green. Add another teaspoon of salt to season.
- Make Creamy Sauce: Pour in the heavy cream and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Add the shredded mozzarella cheese and stir continuously until the cheese melts into a smooth sauce. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Cook Pasta: Meanwhile, cook the ditalini pasta in a separate pot following package instructions until al dente. Reserve ½ cup of pasta cooking water before draining the pasta.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet with the broccoli and creamy sauce. Pour in the reserved pasta water and toss gently to coat the pasta evenly with the sauce.
- Finish with Parmesan: Remove the skillet from the heat. Sprinkle the grated parmesan cheese over the pasta and stir until the cheese is melted and fully incorporated.
- Serve: Serve immediately, garnished with additional parmesan cheese and freshly ground black pepper if desired. Enjoy the creamy broccoli pasta while hot.
Notes
- Use fresh broccoli for the best texture and flavor; frozen can be used but may alter the texture.
- Reserve pasta water is crucial as it helps loosen and bind the sauce to the pasta.
- Adjust salt and pepper according to preference, especially considering the saltiness of the cheeses.
- Use a high-quality olive oil and unsalted butter for better control over seasoning and flavor.
- Serve immediately to enjoy the creamy texture before the sauce thickens too much.
- If you want a lighter version, consider substituting heavy cream with half-and-half or a lighter cream alternative.
- For added protein, grilled chicken or sautéed mushrooms can be added.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 550 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 720 mg
- Fat: 35 g
- Saturated Fat: 20 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg
