This comforting broccoli cheese pasta brings together al dente pasta, tender-crisp broccoli, and a velvety homemade cheese sauce for a meal that satisfies both cravings and nutrition needs. Perfect for busy weeknights, this crowd-pleasing dish combines everyday ingredients into something truly special.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This broccoli cheese pasta is a go-to for busy nights—it’s ready in under 30 minutes and packed with creamy, cheesy comfort. Every bite is coated in a rich cheese sauce, and the broccoli adds just the right amount of crunch, color, and nutrition.

It’s also super flexible: switch up the cheese, add protein, or make it extra indulgent with a splash of cream. The recipe strikes that perfect balance between wholesome and indulgent, making it ideal for both family dinners and casual entertaining.

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

Pasta serves as the hearty foundation for this dish. Medium shapes like penne or rotini work exceptionally well as they catch and hold the creamy sauce in their ridges and curves. You can also use longer pasta like fettuccine for a different textural experience.

Broccoli brings vibrant color, nutritional value, and a pleasant textural contrast to the dish. When cooked properly—tender yet still with a slight bite—it adds freshness and substance to each forkful.

Garlic infuses the dish with aromatic depth. Sautéing it briefly in olive oil before adding the broccoli creates a flavor foundation that enhances the entire dish without overwhelming it.

Butter creates the base for your roux, the thickening agent that gives the cheese sauce its silky consistency. Its rich flavor is essential to the luxurious mouthfeel of the final dish.

All-purpose flour works with the butter to form a roux, which thickens the sauce to the perfect consistency. This simple combination ensures your cheese sauce coats the pasta beautifully rather than pooling at the bottom of your plate.

Milk transforms the roux into a creamy béchamel sauce. Whole milk delivers the most satisfying richness, but you can use 2% if preferred.

Cheddar cheese brings that classic sharp, tangy flavor that makes this dish so comforting. Freshly shredded cheese melts more smoothly than pre-packaged versions, which often contain anti-caking agents.

Mustard powder is a secret ingredient that enhances the cheese flavor without adding a noticeable mustard taste. It adds complexity and helps emulsify the sauce.

Paprika contributes a subtle smoky note and pleasant color to the sauce, adding depth without overpowering the cheese.

Salt and pepper balance and enhance all the flavors. Proper seasoning is crucial to bringing out the best in both the broccoli and the cheese sauce.

Broccoli Cheese Pasta

Directions

Step 1: Cook the Pasta

Bring a large pot of water to a boil, then add salt and pasta. Let it cook according to the package instructions until al dente, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. Once cooked, drain the pasta and set it aside, reserving 1/2 cup of pasta water for later.

Step 2: Prepare the Broccoli

Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Toss in the chopped broccoli and season with salt. Stir and cook for a few minutes until the broccoli is slightly tender but still vibrant. Remove from heat and set aside.

Step 3: Make the Cheese Sauce

Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add flour and whisk continuously for about a minute to form a roux. Gradually pour in the milk, whisking constantly to prevent lumps. Let the sauce cook for a few minutes until it thickens. Stir in mustard powder, salt, black pepper, and paprika. Reduce the heat to low, then add the shredded cheese. Stir until smooth and creamy.

Step 4: Combine Everything

Add the cooked pasta to the cheese sauce and mix well. Stir in the sautéed broccoli, ensuring even distribution. If the sauce becomes too thick, add a splash of reserved pasta water to loosen it up. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy

Garnish with extra cheese, red pepper flakes, or toasted breadcrumbs for added crunch. Serve warm and enjoy the creamy goodness!

Servings and Timing

This recipe yields 4 generous servings and takes approximately 25-30 minutes from start to finish. The active cooking time is about 20 minutes, with the pasta cooking and sauce preparation happening simultaneously to maximize efficiency.

If you’re serving a crowd, the recipe doubles easily—just use a larger pot for the pasta and sauce. For a lighter meal, a single batch can stretch to 6 servings when paired with a side salad or crusty bread.

Broccoli Cheese Pasta

Variations

This broccoli cheese pasta is wonderfully adaptable to various tastes and dietary needs:

Protein Additions: Transform this side into a complete meal by adding grilled chicken breast, sautéed shrimp, or crispy bacon bits.
Vegetable Mix-ins: While broccoli is the star, you can add peas, asparagus tips, or sautéed mushrooms for additional flavor and nutrition.
Cheese Swaps: Experiment with different cheese combinations—try sharp white cheddar with a bit of Gruyère for depth, or add some crumbled blue cheese for a bold twist.
Spice It Up: Incorporate red pepper flakes, a dash of hot sauce, or a pinch of cayenne to give your pasta a pleasant heat.
Lighter Version: Use milk with a lower fat content and reduce the cheese slightly, compensating with nutritional yeast for a lighter but still flavorful dish.
Gluten-Free Option: Simply substitute your favorite gluten-free pasta and use a gluten-free flour blend for the roux.

Storage/Reheating

This broccoli cheese pasta stores well, making it perfect for meal prep or planned leftovers:

Refrigeration: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. The pasta will absorb some of the sauce as it sits, becoming even more flavorful.

Reheating: For best results, reheat on the stovetop over low heat, adding a splash of milk to restore creaminess. Stir frequently to prevent sticking and ensure even warming.

If using a microwave, heat at 70% power in 30-second intervals, stirring between each to redistribute the heat and sauce.

Freezing: While possible, freezing isn’t ideal for cream-based pasta dishes as the sauce can separate and the pasta may become mushy when thawed. If you must freeze, do so in individual portions and use within 1 month.

Broccoli Cheese Pasta

FAQs

Can I use frozen broccoli instead of fresh?

Yes, frozen broccoli works well in this recipe. There’s no need to thaw it first—simply add it directly to the boiling pasta during the last 2-3 minutes of cooking time. This method saves you a step and ensures the broccoli is perfectly tender without becoming overcooked.

How can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Making this recipe gluten-free is simple. Use your favorite gluten-free pasta (corn and rice blends tend to hold up best) and substitute the all-purpose flour with either cornstarch (use half the amount) or a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend for the roux. The rest of the recipe remains unchanged.

What’s the best cheese to use for the sauce?

While sharp cheddar provides classic flavor, the best cheese is often a combination. Try mixing cheddar with Gruyère for depth, Monterey Jack for meltability, or a touch of Parmesan for savory notes. For the smoothest sauce, always grate your cheese fresh rather than using pre-shredded varieties.

Can I make this recipe ahead of time?

You can prepare components ahead of time, but for best results, assemble just before serving. Cook the pasta slightly under al dente, prepare the broccoli, and make the cheese sauce separately. Refrigerate components for up to 2 days, then combine and heat through when ready to serve, adding a splash of milk to loosen the sauce.

Why is my cheese sauce grainy?

A grainy sauce usually results from overheating or adding cheese too quickly. To prevent this, remove the white sauce from heat before adding cheese, and incorporate it gradually while stirring. Using pre-shredded cheese (which contains anti-caking agents) can also cause graininess—freshly grated cheese melts much more smoothly.

How can I make this recipe healthier?

To create a lighter version, use whole wheat pasta for added fiber, increase the broccoli-to-pasta ratio, substitute 2% milk for whole milk, and reduce the cheese by about 25%, adding nutritional yeast for flavor. You can also incorporate other vegetables like spinach or bell peppers for additional nutrients.

What can I add for extra protein?

This versatile dish accommodates many protein additions. Grilled chicken, sautéed shrimp, or sliced Italian sausage work beautifully. For vegetarian options, try adding white beans, chickpeas, or edamame. For a quick solution, stir in rotisserie chicken or canned tuna when combining the pasta with sauce.

Why did my sauce break or separate?

Sauce separation typically occurs from excessive heat or rapid temperature changes. Always add cheese to a sauce that’s warm but not boiling, and remove from heat before incorporating cheese. If your sauce has already broken, try whisking in a small amount of cold milk or a slurry of cornstarch and water while gently reheating.

What sides pair well with broccoli cheese pasta?

This rich pasta pairs beautifully with lighter sides. Try a crisp green salad with vinaigrette, roasted tomatoes, garlic bread, or simple steamed vegetables. For a complete meal that balances the richness, consider serving smaller portions alongside grilled protein and vegetables.

Can I use alternative milk like almond or oat milk?

Yes, plant-based milks can work, though they will alter the flavor profile. Unsweetened oat milk provides the closest consistency to dairy milk. For the best results with non-dairy alternatives, choose one that’s unflavored and relatively neutral in taste, and you may need to adjust the thickening time as plant milks have different consistencies.

Conclusion

This Broccoli Cheese Pasta embodies comfort food at its finest—creamy, satisfying, and surprisingly simple to prepare. The balance of tender pasta, fresh broccoli, and rich cheese sauce creates a dish that appeals to both children and adults alike, making it a valuable addition to your weeknight dinner rotation.

What makes this recipe truly special is its versatility. Whether you’re looking for a quick vegetarian main, a hearty side dish, or a base for adding protein and other vegetables, this pasta delivers consistently delicious results with minimal effort.

As you make this dish your own through variations and adaptations, you’ll discover why the combination of pasta, cheese, and broccoli has enduring appeal in kitchens everywhere. It’s not just a meal; it’s a warm invitation to gather around the table and share something truly satisfying.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Ingredients

Directions

Step 1: Cook the Pasta

Step 2: Prepare the Broccoli

Step 3: Make the Cheese Sauce

Step 4: Combine Everything

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy

Servings and Timing

Variations

Storage/Reheating

FAQs

Can I use frozen broccoli instead of fresh?

How can I make this recipe gluten-free?

What’s the best cheese to use for the sauce?

Can I make this recipe ahead of time?

Why is my cheese sauce grainy?

How can I make this recipe healthier?

What can I add for extra protein?

Why did my sauce break or separate?

What sides pair well with broccoli cheese pasta?

Can I use alternative milk like almond or oat milk?

Conclusion

Broccoli Cheese Pasta

Ingredients

Instructions

Notes

Nutrition