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
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
Instructions
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- If the sauce appears overly dense, gradually introduce supplementary milk or water, stirring until desired texture is achieved.
- Transfer the vibrant, herbaceous pasta into serving vessels, garnishing with an additional sprinkle of black pepper for visual appeal and subtle heat.
- 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