One-Pot Creamy Broccoli Pasta Bake
A comforting one-pot pasta bake featuring tender broccoli florets and a creamy cheese sauce that kids love, all made with minimal fuss. This italian-inspired kid friendly ready in about 40 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 milk
- 2 cups shredded cheddar 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. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 oz penne pasta and cook for 5 minutes until just tender but still firm. Add 3 cups broccoli florets to the pot and cook together with pasta for 2 more minutes. Drain pasta and broccoli and set aside.
- Step 2: In the same pot, melt 3 tbsp unsalted butter over medium heat. Whisk in 3 tbsp all-purpose flour and cook for 1 minute, whisking constantly until the mixture is smooth and bubbly.
- Step 3: Gradually whisk in 3 cups milk, continuing to whisk until the sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon, about 5 minutes.
- Step 4: Stir in 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 1/2 tsp garlic powder. Remove from heat.
- Step 5: Return the drained pasta and broccoli to the pot and gently fold to combine with the cheese sauce.
- Step 6: Transfer everything to a greased 9x13-inch baking dish. Drizzle 1 tbsp olive oil over the top.
- Step 7: Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes until bubbly and the top is lightly golden. Let cool 5 minutes before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does One-Pot Creamy Broccoli Pasta Bake take to make?
Total time is about 40 minutes (10 min prep + 30 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-Pot 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-Pot 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-Pot 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-Pot 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.
