One-Pan Creamy Broccoli Pasta Bake
A comforting one-pan pasta bake featuring tender broccoli and a creamy cheese sauce that kids love to eat and even help make. This italian-inspired kid friendly ready in about 50 minutes pairs penne pasta, broccoli florets, unsalted butter for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 400 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 12 oz penne pasta
- 3 cups broccoli florets
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 3 cups whole milk
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F. In a large oven-safe skillet or casserole dish, toss 12 oz penne pasta and 3 cups broccoli florets with 1 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
- Step 2: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt 3 tbsp unsalted butter. Whisk in 3 tbsp all-purpose flour and cook for 1 minute until bubbly and lightly golden.
- Step 3: Gradually whisk in 3 cups whole milk, stirring constantly until the sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon, about 5-7 minutes.
- Step 4: Remove sauce from heat and stir in 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, and 1/2 tsp garlic powder until melted and smooth.
- Step 5: Pour the cheese sauce evenly over the pasta and broccoli in the skillet, stirring gently to combine.
- Step 6: Cover the skillet with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove foil and bake an additional 10 minutes until the top is bubbly and lightly browned.
- Step 7: Let the pasta bake rest for 5 minutes before serving warm.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does One-Pan Creamy Broccoli Pasta Bake take to make?
Total time is about 50 minutes (15 min prep + 35 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover One-Pan Creamy Broccoli Pasta Bake?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep penne pasta from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in One-Pan Creamy Broccoli Pasta Bake?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale One-Pan Creamy Broccoli Pasta Bake for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with One-Pan Creamy Broccoli Pasta Bake?
Italian kid friendly like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
