Creamy Broccoli Pasta Recipe

Name: Creamy Broccoli Pasta Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 3 cups pasta; 1 broccoli (cut into florets); 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil; 4 garlic (minced); 1 sweet onion (diced); 1/2 cup heavy cream (or half and half {or milk for a less creamy sauce}); 1/2 cup cream cheese ({you can omit this for less creamy pasta sauce and just use the cream or try Greek yogurt in its place}); 1/4 cup parmesan cheese; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/8 teaspoon ground pepper; 1 teaspoon dried oregano; 1/2 teaspoon dried basil; 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper ({optional}); 1/2 cup walnuts (chopped {you can omit or use pine nuts or silvered almonds}); 1 teaspoon lemon juice; parsley (for garnish); Lemon zest (for garnish)

This Creamy Broccoli Pasta Recipe is a simple pasta recipe that is perfect for those busy weeknights. Pasta is mixed with broccoli and walnuts and a creamy sauce. Your family will love this easy pasta recipe with a hint of sweet lemon at the end!

Prep10 min
Cook20 min
Total30 min
Makes4 servings
Calories619

Ingredients

4 servings

3 cups pasta
1 broccoli (cut into florets)
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
4 garlic (minced)
1 sweet onion (diced)
1/2 cup heavy cream (or half and half {or milk for a less creamy sauce})
1/2 cup cream cheese ({you can omit this for less creamy pasta sauce and just use the cream or try Greek yogurt in its place})
1/4 cup parmesan cheese
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon ground pepper
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon dried basil
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper ({optional})
1/2 cup walnuts (chopped {you can omit or use pine nuts or silvered almonds})
1 teaspoon lemon juice
parsley (for garnish)
Lemon zest (for garnish)

Method

1
Remove the broccoli stem and chop its head into florets.
2
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
3
Add the pasta and broccoli and cook until al dente.
4
When the pasta is done cooking reserve 1 cup of the pasta water and set aside. Drain the pasta and broccoli. Set aside.
5
In a large skillet heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the garlic and onion and saute for 3-4 minutes.
6
Remove the garlic and onion from heat and add cream cheese, heavy cream, grated parmesan, salt, ground pepper, oregano, basil, crushed red pepper and chopped walnuts. and lemon juice. Stir to combine.
7
Gently fold in the cooked broccoli and pasta.
8
Add the reserved pasta water as need to thin out the pasta sauce.
9
Serve warm with extra parmesan and fresh parsley.

Notes

Keep leftovers covered in the fridge for up to three days. You can leave out the cream cheese if you want or try Greek yogurt in its place. The cream cheese makes it extra creamy.