Description
A quick and easy one-pot creamy broccoli and herb pasta that combines tender pasta, fresh broccoli, and a blend of herbs in a luscious, cheesy sauce. Perfect for a comforting weeknight meal ready in just 25 minutes.
Ingredients
Pasta and Liquids
- 8 ounces dried, short pasta (like penne, rotini, shells, etc.)
- 2 cups unsweetened, original almond milk
- 1 1/4 cups fat free chicken or veggie stock
Seasonings
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp dried thyme
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
- 1/2-1 tsp kosher salt
Vegetables and Cheese
- 2 cups finely chopped broccoli
- 2 tbsp light cream cheese
- 1/3 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Combine Ingredients and Start Cooking: In a large pot with a lid, combine the dried pasta, almond milk, chicken or veggie stock, and all the seasonings including garlic powder, onion powder, dried thyme, dried oregano, black pepper, and kosher salt. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, then cover and reduce the heat to medium-high to maintain a gentle boil. Cook for about 5 minutes.
- Add Broccoli and Continue Cooking: Stir in the finely chopped broccoli, then cover the pot again and cook for another 8-10 minutes. Keep an eye on the pot to ensure it doesn’t bubble over; reduce the heat if necessary to prevent this.
- Finish with Cheese and Thicken Sauce: Remove the lid and reduce the heat to low. Add the light cream cheese and freshly grated parmesan cheese, stirring until the cheeses melt and the sauce becomes slightly thick, which takes about 2-3 minutes. Serve immediately for a creamy, flavorful pasta dish.
Notes
- Adjust salt according to taste and dietary needs, starting with 1/2 tsp and adding up to 1 tsp.
- If you prefer a richer sauce, substitute light cream cheese with regular cream cheese or add a splash of heavy cream.
- For a vegan version, substitute cream cheese with a plant-based alternative and use nutritional yeast instead of parmesan.
- Be sure to stir occasionally during cooking to prevent pasta from sticking to the bottom of the pot.
- Broccoli can be substituted with other finely chopped vegetables such as spinach or kale for variety.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
