One-Pot Creamy Broccoli Cheddar Pasta

By AislePrompt Editorial · ·

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are drafted and published.

A cozy, family-friendly pasta dish featuring tender pasta, vibrant broccoli florets, and a velvety cheese sauce made with sharp cheddar and a touch of cream, ready in 35 minutes. This American-inspired one-pot recipe, ready in about 35 minutes, pairs penne pasta, broccoli, sharper cheddar cheese for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 620 calories and feeds 4, 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.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 25 min Serves 4 American cuisine 620 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add 12 oz penne pasta and cook for 8 minutes until al dente, then add 2 cups broccoli florets and cook for 3 more minutes until vegetables are bright green and tender-crisp.
  2. Step 2: While pasta cooks, melt 2 tbsp unsalted butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in 2 tbsp all-purpose flour and 1/2 tsp garlic powder for 1 minute until bubbly.
  3. Step 3: Slowly pour in 1/2 cup heavy cream while whisking constantly, then add 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese. Continue whisking until cheese melts and sauce thickens to coat the back of a spoon, about 2 minutes.
  4. Step 4: Drain pasta and broccoli, reserving 1/2 cup pasta water. Add pasta, broccoli, and 1/4 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper to the saucepan. Stir in 2 tbsp reserved pasta water and toss vigorously for 1 minute until sauce clings to pasta.

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