Creamy Broccoli Pasta
One Pot Creamy Broccoli Pasta is my go-to answer to "What's for dinner?!" This easy pasta dish is made in one pot, only takes 15 minutes to whip up, and (most importantly) my kids love it!
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Easy - this recipe only involves one pot and is so quick and easy to whip up!
- Protein - with plain Greek yogurt, each serving of this pasta packs 20 grams of protein.
- Delicious - so creamy and yummy!
- Kid Friendly - my kids always love when I make this pasta.
Ingredients
Pasta - I use ditalini, but you can use any type of pasta you like. I do think that smaller shaped pastas like elbow, shells, rigatoni, and penne would work best.
Broccoli - fresh broccoli is used in this pasta recipe.
Garlic - fresh garlic gives this pasta a ton of great flavor.
Plain Greek Yogurt - whole milk greek yogurt works best in this recipe and creates a creamy sauce without being too rich.
Vegetable Broth - this adds some savory flavor to the dish. You could also use chicken broth, if you don't care about keeping it vegetarian.
Butter - this helps make the pasta silky smooth and gives it some buttery flavor. You could also use extra virgin olive oil, if you prefer.
Grated Parmesan Cheese - be sure to use good Parmesan cheese!
Please refer to the recipe card for the complete list of ingredients.
Variations
Add some Spice - if you want a little heat to your pasta, you can add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a teaspoon of chili crisp.
Different Vegetables - I love broccoli as the star of the show, but other vegetables that would work are frozen peas, frozen mixed vegetables, chopped spinach, or cauliflower. You could also start the recipe and sauté diced onion to add to the pasta.
Add Herbs - some dried Italian seasoning or fresh herbs like basil or parsley would be delicious.
Add Cream - if you want this pasta *extra* creamy, replace ½ cup of the broth with heavy cream or half and half.
Lemon Zest - you can add some lemon zest or lemon juice for a bit of lemon flavor!
Yogurt Replacement - instead of Greek yogurt, you could use an equal amount of pureed cottage cheese.
Add Meat - you could add some grilled or baked chicken breast, sautéed shrimp, or salmon to the top of this pasta.
Step by Step Instructions
Photo 1. Add the pasta, broccoli, Greek yogurt, garlic, butter, salt, and broth to a large pot or Dutch oven.
Photo 2. Cook over medium-high heat to bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium and simmer uncovered for 8-9 minutes, or until the liquid has been absorbed by the pasta. You don't need to drain the pasta water! Stir frequently to avoid pasta sticking to the bottom of the pot.
Photo 3. Add the Parmesan cheese and toss to combine.
Photo 4. Stir well until combined. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Expert Tips
Stir Frequently - be sure you are stirring the pasta frequently to avoid it sticking to the bottom of the pan.
Serving Suggestion - this is delicious on its own with a side salad, or also goes well with grilled chicken, grilled steak, fish, shrimp, or my chicken meatballs.
Storage - store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4-5 days.
Reheat - to reheat leftovers, add a splash of milk, stir well, and then microwave for 45-60 seconds. Stir again and microwave another 15-30 seconds, until warmed through.
Recipe FAQs
Plain whole milk Greek yogurt makes the pasta creamy, while also adding a ton of protein. Don't worry - the pasta doesn't taste like yogurt!
Yes! This should work just fine. I would add it for the last 5 minutes, instead of the entire cooking time.
Other Pasta Recipes to Consider
If you make this recipe, please let me know! Leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating on this recipe below and leave a comment, or take a photo and tag me on Instagram with #greensnchocolate.
Creamy Broccoli Pasta
Ingredients
- 12 ounces ditalini pasta or any other small shaped pasta
- 3 cups broccoli florets cut into small pieces
- ¾ cup plain Greek yogurt
- 3 tablespoon butter
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Add the pasta, broccoli, yogurt, butter, garlic, salt and broth to a large pot or Dutch oven.
- Bring to a boil, and simmer for 8-9 minutes uncovered, or until the majority of the broth is absorbed and the noodles are tender.
- Remove from heat and stir in the Parmesan cheese. Season with salt and black pepper, as desired.
- Serve and enjoy!
