Irresistibly Easy One-Pot Broccoli Pesto Pasta for Busy Weeknights

Pesto pasta variations have changed how people cook at home with their simple and bright flavors.

One-pot meals are a great option for those who want a tasty dinner without spending too much time in the kitchen.

Broccoli is an amazing green veggie that boosts both the nutrition and taste of regular pasta dishes.

Today’s kitchens love methods that cut down on cleanup but still pack in flavor and health benefits.

Pasta dishes using fresh ingredients and easy cooking can turn any meal from boring to fantastic.

Simple, flavorful recipes make weeknight dinners easier and more fun for everyone involved.

How To Make One-Pot Broccoli Pesto Pasta

Step 1: Boil and Combine Pasta with Broccoli

• Salt
• Pasta
• Broccoli

Stir occasionally while cooking for about 8 minutes. Leave the water in the pot.

Step 2: Create Creamy Sauce

• Milk
• Cheese
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Paprika
• Hot sauce
• Pesto

Stir continuously until the mixture becomes smooth and creamy.

Step 3: Enhance and Finish Dish

• Parmesan cheese
• Fresh basil

Season with salt and black pepper. If the sauce feels too thick, splash in some extra milk or water to reach desired consistency.

Step 4: Serve and Enjoy

Transfer the pasta into serving bowls. Sprinkle additional black pepper on top. Serve immediately while warm and enjoy the delicious, comforting meal!

Helpful Tips For One-Pot Broccoli Pesto Pasta

• Streamline Cooking Process: Use a single large pot to minimize cleanup and save time, making this recipe perfect for busy weeknights.
• Customize Spice Levels: Adjust hot sauce quantity to match your personal heat preference, ranging from mild to extra spicy.
• Enhance Nutritional Value: Add protein like grilled chicken, shrimp, or white beans to transform this vegetarian dish into a complete meal.
• Control Sauce Consistency: Keep extra milk or pasta water nearby to adjust sauce thickness, ensuring a smooth and creamy texture.
• Make It Gluten-Free: Substitute regular pasta with gluten-free alternatives like chickpea or rice pasta without compromising the recipe's delicious flavor profile.

How To Store And Reheat One-Pot Broccoli Pesto Pasta

• Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping them fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Microwave Reheating: Sprinkle a few drops of milk or water before reheating to prevent drying, then warm in 30-second intervals, stirring between each to distribute heat evenly.
• Stovetop Revival: Gently reheat in a pan over low heat, adding a splash of milk to restore creamy texture and prevent sticking, stirring continuously until warmed through.
• Freezing Option: Transfer cooled pasta to freezer-safe containers, seal tightly, and freeze for up to 2 months, ensuring best quality by thawing overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Great Pairings With One-Pot Broccoli Pesto Pasta

• Pair with Zesty White Wine: Select a crisp Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio to complement the herbal pesto and creamy pasta texture, cutting through the richness with bright, citrusy notes.
• Create Fresh Side Salad: Toss a light arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette, cherry tomatoes, and shaved Parmesan to balance the pasta's creamy profile and add a refreshing contrast.
• Match with Crusty Garlic Bread: Serve warm, toasted sourdough or rustic Italian bread brushed with olive oil and garlic to soak up the delicious pesto sauce and provide a satisfying crunch.
• Enhance with Grilled Chicken: Add simply seasoned, sliced grilled chicken breast on top for extra protein, creating a more substantial meal that harmonizes with the pasta's herbaceous flavors.

Ways To Change Up One-Pot Broccoli Pesto Pasta

• Vegan Veggie Delight: Replace cheese with nutritional yeast, use plant-based milk, and swap pesto for homemade dairy-free pesto made with cashews and basil.
• Gluten-Free Comfort: Substitute regular pasta with gluten-free pasta like brown rice or chickpea pasta, keeping all other ingredients the same.
• Protein Power Bowl: Add cooked chicken, shredded rotisserie chicken, or plant-based protein crumbles to boost protein content and create a more substantial meal.
• Low-Carb Alternative: Replace pasta with spiralized zucchini noodles or cauliflower rice, adjusting cooking time and liquid to maintain creamy consistency.

FAQ About One-Pot Broccoli Pesto Pasta

• Is this a vegetarian-friendly recipe?

Yes, this One-Pot Broccoli Pesto Pasta is vegetarian. It contains no meat and uses ingredients like pasta, broccoli, milk, cheese, and pesto.

• Can I make this dish dairy-free?

To make it dairy-free, you’ll need to substitute dairy milk with plant-based milk, use dairy-free cheese alternatives, and choose a dairy-free pesto.

• How spicy is this pasta with hot sauce?

The recipe includes hot sauce, but the amount is small. It adds a mild kick of heat that isn’t overwhelming. You can adjust the hot sauce to your personal spice preference.

• What type of pasta works best for this recipe?

Short pasta shapes like penne, rotini, or fusilli work great. These shapes help catch the creamy sauce and hold the broccoli pieces well.

Why One-Pot Broccoli Pesto Pasta Is A Go-To

• Quick Comfort Cooking: Simplify dinner with this one-pot wonder that streamlines meal preparation and minimizes cleanup.
• Family-Friendly Flavor Explosion: Combines kid-approved pasta with nutritious broccoli and creamy cheese, creating a delicious meal everyone will enjoy.
• Time-Saving Culinary Magic: Delivers a complete meal in just 10 minutes from start to finish, perfect for busy weeknight dinners or last-minute hunger attacks.
• Customizable Creativity Station: Easily adapt the recipe by adding protein like chicken or swapping ingredients to match your family's taste preferences and dietary needs.

One-Pot Broccoli Pesto Pasta Ingredients

• Pasta, Broccoli: Hearty base of the dish, choose short pasta like penne or fusilli for easy mixing with sauce.

• Milk, Cheddar Cheese, Parmesan Cheese: Creates creamy texture, whole milk works best for richness.
• Pesto: Adds herbal and nutty flavor, store-bought or homemade works well.

• Salt, Black Pepper, Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, Paprika, Hot Sauce: Provides depth of flavor and subtle heat, adjust spices to personal preference.

Creamy One-Pot Broccoli Pesto Pasta Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.7 from 9 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Hearty One-Pot Broccoli Pesto Pasta delivers Italian comfort with green goodness packed into each twirling forkful. Creamy, herbaceous sauce mingles with tender pasta, promising quick kitchen magic you’ll crave again and again.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 1 lb (454 grams) short-cut pasta
• 3 cups (450 grams) chopped broccoli
• 2 cups (226 grams) shredded Colby Jack or cheddar cheese
• 1 cup (240 milliliters) heavy cream or whole milk

Seasoning and Flavor Enhancers:

• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 2 tablespoons hot sauce
• Kosher salt and black pepper, to taste

Finishing Ingredients:

• 3 tablespoons basil pesto
• ⅓ cup (40 grams) grated Parmesan cheese
• ⅓ cup (20 grams) fresh chopped basil

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Fill a spacious pot with water and elevate to a rolling boil, seasoning with salt. Introduce pasta and broccoli simultaneously, allowing them to simmer and soften together for approximately 8 minutes while maintaining occasional stirring.
2. Without draining the cooking liquid, incorporate milk into the pot, then gently fold in cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, hot sauce, and pesto. Continuously stir until the mixture transforms into a silky, uniform consistency.
3. Carefully remove the pot from heat source and delicately integrate Parmesan cheese and fresh basil. Calibrate seasoning with additional salt and freshly ground black pepper to enhance flavor profile.
4. If the sauce appears overly dense, gradually introduce supplementary milk or water, stirring until desired texture is achieved.
5. Transfer the vibrant, herbaceous pasta into serving vessels, garnishing with an additional sprinkle of black pepper for visual appeal and subtle heat.
6. Present the dish immediately while maintaining optimal temperature and creamy texture, ensuring maximum gustatory enjoyment.

Notes

• Swap broccoli for other veggies like cauliflower or spinach to create variety and keep the dish flexible for different preferences.
• Use gluten-free pasta to make this recipe completely gluten-free, perfect for those with dietary restrictions.
• Add protein by incorporating cooked chicken, shrimp, or white beans directly into the pasta for a more substantial meal.
• Control spice levels by adjusting hot sauce quantity or using mild alternatives like

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Boiling
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 600
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 30 g
• Saturated Fat: 18 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 60 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 20 g
• Cholesterol: 90 mg