Cheesy and Creamy Broccoli Ditalini Pasta Recipe
This Cheesy and Creamy Broccoli Pasta is a comforting and delicious dish featuring tender broccoli, a rich cream sauce, and a blend of mozzarella and parmesan cheeses tossed with ditalini pasta. Perfect for a satisfying weeknight meal, it combines fresh vegetables with luscious, cheesy creaminess for a truly indulgent yet approachable pasta recipe.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Vegetables
- 1 Yellow Onion, chopped
- 500 g Fresh Broccoli, chopped
- 4 cloves Garlic, minced
Dairy & Oils
- 2 tablespoon Butter
- 2 tablespoon Olive oil
- 2 cups Heavy Cream
- 8 oz Mozzarella Cheese, shredded
- 8 oz Parmesan Cheese, grated
Pasta & Liquids
- 16 oz Ditalini Pasta
- ½ cup Pasta water (reserved)
Instructions
- Prepare the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the ditalini pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve ½ cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta and set aside.
- Sauté the aromatics: In a large skillet, heat the butter and olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped yellow onion and minced garlic, cooking until the onion is translucent and fragrant, about 3-4 minutes.
- Cook the broccoli: Add the chopped broccoli to the skillet and sauté for about 5-7 minutes until tender but still slightly crisp. You can cover the skillet briefly to help steam the broccoli if needed.
- Make the creamy cheese sauce: Pour in the heavy cream and stir well to combine with the vegetables. Let the mixture simmer on low heat until it thickens slightly, about 5 minutes.
- Add the cheeses: Gradually stir in the shredded mozzarella and grated parmesan cheese, allowing them to melt fully into the sauce. Stir continuously to avoid clumping and help create a smooth, creamy sauce.
- Toss pasta with sauce: Add the cooked ditalini pasta to the skillet with the creamy broccoli sauce. Pour in the reserved pasta water a little at a time to adjust the sauce consistency to your liking. Toss everything together until the pasta is evenly coated with the cheesy sauce and heated through.
- Serve: Remove from heat and plate the cheesy creamy broccoli pasta immediately. Optionally garnish with additional parmesan cheese or freshly ground black pepper.
Notes
- Reserve some pasta water before draining; it helps to loosen and bind the sauce perfectly with the pasta.
- Use freshly grated parmesan cheese for better flavor and smoother melting.
- Adjust the heavy cream amount if you prefer a thinner or thicker sauce.
- Feel free to substitute ditalini pasta with other small pasta shapes like elbow macaroni or small shells.
- For added protein, grilled chicken or pancetta can be mixed in before serving.
