If you’re craving a warm, comforting dish that’s both wholesome and indulgent, you’re going to love this Creamy Broccoli Pasta with Cheesy Sauce Recipe. It’s one of those meals that feels like a big, cozy hug after a long day. I’ve made it countless times, and each time it’s a hit—whether I’m cooking for myself or feeding friends. The sauce is silky and loaded with gooey mozzarella and parmesan, while the broccoli adds just the right amount of freshness and bite. Trust me, once you try this, it’ll be on your regular dinner rotation.

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Why This Recipe Works

Rich and Velvety Sauce: The combo of heavy cream, mozzarella, and parmesan creates a luscious, cheesy sauce that clings beautifully to every pasta piece.
Freshness Meets Comfort: Tender broccoli adds color, nutrients, and a subtle crunch that balances the creamy richness perfectly.
Easy Preparation: Minimal ingredients and straightforward steps make it a quick weeknight dinner you can rely on.
Flavor Layering: Sautéing garlic and onion first infuses flavor deeply, elevating the entire dish.

Creamy Broccoli Pasta with Cheesy Sauce, creamy broccoli pasta, cheesy pasta recipes, comforting broccoli pasta dish, easy cheesy pasta - A large white pot with blue handles is filled with small tube pasta and small green broccoli pieces mixed in a thick, creamy white sauce with visible black pepper specks, all stirred by a wooden spoon standing upright in the pot, placed on a white marbled surface with a soft pink background, photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Every ingredient in this Creamy Broccoli Pasta with Cheesy Sauce Recipe plays a key role — from the creamy base to the fresh veggies, each component helps build layers of flavor and texture. When shopping, I always pick the freshest broccoli I can find and quality cheeses because they make a noticeable difference.

Creamy Broccoli Pasta with Cheesy Sauce, creamy broccoli pasta, cheesy pasta recipes, comforting broccoli pasta dish, easy cheesy pasta - Flat lay of a small pat of fresh yellow butter, a small white bowl of golden olive oil, a whole unpeeled yellow onion, vibrant green broccoli florets, four peeled garlic cloves, a small white bowl filled with thick heavy cream, a block of fresh mozzarella cheese, a wedge of parmesan cheese, a small white bowl with clear pasta water, and uncooked ditalini pasta scattered neatly, all arranged symmetrically on simple white ceramic bowls and plates, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Butter: Adds richness and helps cook the onions and garlic with a lovely depth.
Olive oil: Balances the butter and brings a subtle fruity note while helping prevent burning.
Yellow onion: Gives a natural sweetness and body once softened.
Fresh broccoli: Provides a fresh, slightly crisp texture that brightens the dish.
Garlic: One of those basics that packs a punch of flavor you don’t want to skip.
Heavy cream: The backbone of the sauce, ensuring a smooth, creamy consistency.
Mozzarella cheese: Melts beautifully for a stretchy, gooey texture.
Parmesan cheese: Adds a nutty, sharp finish that rounds out the sauce.
Pasta water: A secret weapon to loosen the sauce and help it stick to the pasta.
Ditalini pasta: Small, tubular shapes that catch the sauce and broccoli perfectly, but feel free to swap for any bite-sized pasta you love.

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Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Tweak to Your Taste

One of my favorite things about the Creamy Broccoli Pasta with Cheesy Sauce Recipe is how easy it is to customize. I love adjusting it based on whatever I have in the fridge or my mood, so don’t be shy about making it your own.

Add some heat: I sometimes toss in red pepper flakes while sautéing garlic for a gentle kick—I’m convinced it takes the dish up a notch.
Make it lighter: Skip the heavy cream and try half-and-half or whole milk with a bit of flour for thickening if you want less indulgence.
Sub in other veggies: Cauliflower or green beans work well if you aren’t feeling broccoli.
Go vegan: I’ve experimented with cashew cream and vegan cheeses—you’ll need to tweak melt times but still super tasty!

Step-by-Step: How I Make Creamy Broccoli Pasta with Cheesy Sauce Recipe

Step 1: Getting the Base Just Right

Start by melting the butter and olive oil together over medium heat in a large skillet—this combo helps build a rich flavor without burning. Toss in the minced garlic and diced onion and sauté until the onions are translucent, about 5 to 7 minutes. You’ll notice the kitchen starts smelling amazing right now! Season with a teaspoon of salt to bring those flavors out even more.

Step 2: Sauté the Broccoli to Perfection

Add the chopped broccoli to your skillet and cook for about 5 minutes. The goal here is tender broccoli that still keeps that vibrant green and a little crunch. Don’t rush this step or you’ll lose that fresh bite. Add another teaspoon of salt to season the veggies nicely.

Step 3: Make It Creamy and Cheesy

Pour in the heavy cream and bring everything to a gentle simmer. Slowly stir in the shredded mozzarella cheese, stirring constantly until the cheese melts completely and the sauce turns silky smooth. This is where the magic happens—watch as the sauce thickens and coats the veggies beautifully. Taste and add salt and pepper to suit your palate.

Step 4: Cook and Combine the Pasta

While the sauce simmers, cook your ditalini pasta in salted boiling water following the package instructions until al dente. Before draining, scoop out half a cup of the pasta water—that starchy liquid is gold when it comes to loosening sauces. Add the drained pasta directly to the skillet with the creamy broccoli sauce. Pour in the reserved pasta water and toss gently so every piece of pasta gets a luscious coating.

Step 5: Finish with Parmesan and Serve

Take the skillet off the heat and immediately sprinkle the grated parmesan over the pasta. Stir until melted and incorporated for an extra burst of tangy, nutty flavor that pulls everything together. Serve immediately, and if you like, garnish with more parmesan and freshly ground black pepper. You’ll want to dig in right away!

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Pro Tips for Making Creamy Broccoli Pasta with Cheesy Sauce Recipe

Don’t Overcook the Broccoli: I’ve learned that slightly crisp broccoli makes the dish so much better—overcooked makes it a bit mushy and loses that fresh pop.
Reserve Pasta Water Every Time: That little step can save your sauce from being dry and helps everything bind perfectly.
Grate Your Own Cheese: Using freshly grated mozzarella and parmesan melts better and tastes fresher than pre-shredded varieties.
Stir Constantly When Adding Cheese: I avoid clumps and get a silky sauce by stirring quickly and evenly while cheese melts.

How to Serve Creamy Broccoli Pasta with Cheesy Sauce Recipe

Creamy Broccoli Pasta with Cheesy Sauce, creamy broccoli pasta, cheesy pasta recipes, comforting broccoli pasta dish, easy cheesy pasta - A white bowl with a blue rim holds a creamy pasta dish made with small tube-shaped pasta mixed with small green broccoli pieces. The pasta is covered in a white, thick sauce, speckled throughout with black pepper. A gold spoon is placed on the right side of the bowl, partially resting in the pasta. Behind the bowl, there is a large blue pan filled with the same creamy pasta and broccoli mixture. The dish is set on a surface with a white marbled texture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Garnishes

I like to top this pasta with a little extra parmesan for a salty boost, plus a sprinkle of cracked black pepper for some bite. Sometimes, I add a pinch of chili flakes for warmth or a handful of fresh chopped parsley or basil to brighten it up and add color. These little touches make it feel just that much more special.

Side Dishes

This pasta is pretty rich and satisfying on its own, but I love pairing it with a simple green salad tossed in a light vinaigrette to add some crispness and freshness. Garlic bread or a crusty loaf is also fantastic to soak up any leftover cheesy sauce. For a protein boost, grilled chicken or crispy tofu on the side work beautifully.

Creative Ways to Present

For a cozy dinner party, I like to serve the creamy broccoli pasta in individual shallow bowls, garnished with microgreens and a drizzle of good olive oil. Alternatively, you can bake the pasta briefly with extra parmesan on top for a golden crust—looks super inviting and adds texture. These small presentation ideas always impress guests and make the meal feel a little fancier.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Since creamy sauces can thicken upon cooling, it’s normal for the pasta to firm up a bit. Just keep the pasta water or a splash of milk handy to loosen it when reheating.

Freezing

Freezing this dish can be a bit tricky because the cream sauce sometimes separates, but I’ve had decent success freezing portions if I slightly undercook the pasta first. When you reheat, thaw fully in the fridge and warm gently adding extra pasta water until it’s creamy again.

Reheating

I reheat leftovers gently on the stove over low heat or in the microwave with a splash of water or milk, stirring frequently to bring back that creamy texture without drying out or curdling. Microwaving in short bursts works best here!

FAQs

Can I use a different type of pasta for this recipe?

Absolutely! While ditalini is great for catching the sauce and broccoli bits, you can swap in any small shapes like penne, rigatoni, or even farfalle. Just be sure to adjust cooking times to keep the pasta al dente.
How can I make this recipe vegetarian or vegan?

This recipe is naturally vegetarian since it uses cheese, but to make it vegan, replace the butter with plant-based margarine, use a non-dairy cream like cashew or coconut cream, and substitute mozzarella and parmesan with vegan cheese alternatives or nutritional yeast for a cheesy flavor.
What if I don’t have heavy cream on hand?

You can create a lighter sauce by mixing milk with a tablespoon of flour or cornstarch to thicken it. Alternatively, half-and-half works well but won’t be as rich. Just simmer gently to avoid curdling.
Can I prepare this recipe ahead of time?

You can prep the sauce and broccoli in advance and refrigerate for a day, then cook the pasta fresh and combine before serving. This keeps the pasta from getting soggy. Leftovers reheat well with a little extra liquid added.
How do I prevent the cheese sauce from seizing or clumping?

Low and slow is key. Melt the cheese gradually over gentle heat, stirring constantly. Avoid boiling the sauce vigorously once cheese is added; this prevents the cheese from separating or becoming grainy.

Final Thoughts

This Creamy Broccoli Pasta with Cheesy Sauce Recipe means so much more than just dinner to me—it’s a little treat I turn to when I want comfort without fuss, something that’s both nourishing and indulgent. I hope it becomes one of your go-to recipes too, whether you’re cooking for yourself, family, or friends. Give it a try and savor every cheesy, creamy bite—you won’t regret it!