Stovetop Cheesy Broccoli Pasta
A quick stovetop pasta dish with tender broccoli florets and a mild cheddar cheese sauce that kids can help prepare. This pasta recipe (vegetarian), ready in about 20 minutes, pairs penne pasta, fresh broccoli florets, butter for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 380 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.
Ingredients
- 8 oz penne pasta
- 2 cups fresh broccoli florets
- 3 tbsp butter
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 2 cups milk
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mild cheddar cheese
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder
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Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and add 8 oz penne pasta. Cook for 10 minutes until just tender, adding 2 cups fresh broccoli florets in the last 3 minutes of cooking. Drain pasta and broccoli together, reserving 1/2 cup pasta water.
- Step 2: In the same pot, melt 3 tbsp butter over medium heat. Sprinkle 2 tbsp all-purpose flour over the melted butter and whisk continuously for 1 minute until a smooth roux forms and smells slightly nutty.
- Step 3: Slowly pour in 2 cups milk while whisking constantly to prevent lumps. Continue to cook and stir until the sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon, about 3-4 minutes.
- Step 4: Remove from heat and stir in 1 1/2 cups shredded mild cheddar cheese, 1/2 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp black pepper, and 1/4 tsp garlic powder until cheese melts and sauce is smooth.
- Step 5: Add the drained pasta and broccoli back into the cheese sauce. Stir gently to combine, adding reserved pasta water 1 tbsp at a time if needed to loosen the sauce. Serve warm.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Stovetop Cheesy Broccoli Pasta take to make?
Total time is about 20 minutes (5 min prep + 15 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 Stovetop Cheesy Broccoli Pasta?
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 Stovetop Cheesy Broccoli Pasta?
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 Stovetop Cheesy Broccoli Pasta for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). 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.
Is Stovetop Cheesy Broccoli Pasta vegetarian?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Loved it! Perfect for a quick dinner.
- ★★★★★
Loved this for a weeknight dinner! The cheese sauce was creamy and the broccoli added a nice crunch.
- ★★★★☆
Cooked for my daughter's after-school snack. It was tasty, but the broccoli took longer to cook than expected.
