Rotini Pasta With Broccoli Cream Sauce
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Description: Indulge in a delightful pasta dish that promises to be a crowd-pleaser, featuring a luscious, garlicky pureed broccoli cream sauce generously topped with freshly grated Parmesan cheese. This dish not only tastes amazing but also packs a nutritional punch with fresh vegetables, making it a fantastic choice for a satisfying weeknight dinner.
Recipe Category
One Dish Meal
Keywords
Vegetable, < 60 Mins
Ingredients
| Quantity | Ingredient |
|---|---|
| 1 | fresh broccoli |
| 1 | rotini pasta |
| 4 | garlic cloves |
| 1/2 cup | heavy cream |
| 1/2 cup | butter |
| Parmesan cheese (for topping) |
Nutritional Information (per serving)
| Nutritional Component | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 913.3 kcal |
| Total Fat | 37.9 g |
| Saturated Fat | 22.1 g |
| Cholesterol | 101.8 mg |
| Sodium | 391.6 mg |
| Total Carbohydrates | 123.8 g |
| Dietary Fiber | 20.7 g |
| Sugars | 9.2 g |
| Protein | 28.1 g |
Instructions
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Cook the Broccoli: Begin by bringing a pot of salted water to a boil. Add the fresh broccoli and cook until it is tender, which usually takes about 3-5 minutes. Once cooked, use a slotted spoon to transfer the broccoli to a bowl of ice water to halt the cooking process and retain its vibrant green color.
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Reserve the Cooking Water: After the broccoli has cooled in the ice water, carefully reserve about 1 cup of the broccoli cooking water. This starchy water will be useful later for adjusting the sauce’s consistency.
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Boil the Pasta: In the same pot, replace the cooking water and return it to a boil. Add the rotini pasta to the boiling water and cook according to package instructions until tender but still al dente, which should take around 8-10 minutes. Once cooked, drain the pasta well and set it aside.
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Prepare the Broccoli Cream Sauce: In a food processor, with the motor running, drop the garlic cloves into the feed tube. Process until the garlic is finely minced. Next, add the cooled broccoli along with the heavy cream, processing until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
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Heat the Sauce: Transfer the broccoli cream mixture to a large skillet. Add the butter to the skillet and heat the mixture over medium-low heat, stirring gently until the butter has melted and the sauce is heated through. Avoid bringing it to a boil to maintain a creamy texture.
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Combine Pasta and Sauce: Once the sauce is warmed, add the cooked rotini pasta to the skillet. Toss the pasta in the broccoli cream sauce, allowing it to heat through for about 2-3 minutes, ensuring that the pasta is well-coated. If the sauce is too thick, gradually add reserved broccoli cooking water, stirring until the desired consistency is reached.
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Season and Serve: Season the pasta with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Once the pasta is warmed through and well combined with the sauce, transfer it to serving plates.
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Garnish: Finally, generously sprinkle freshly grated Parmesan cheese over the top of the pasta for an added layer of flavor and creaminess.
Serving Suggestions
This Rotini Pasta with Broccoli Cream Sauce is perfect as a standalone dish, but you can elevate the meal by serving it alongside a crisp green salad drizzled with a light vinaigrette or crusty garlic bread to soak up any remaining sauce. Enjoy this comforting dish any night of the week for a quick yet satisfying meal that brings both flavor and nutrition to your table.
Aggregated Rating
Rating: 4/5 based on 3 reviews
Indulge in this easy-to-make, wholesome pasta dish that embodies comfort food at its finest. Whether it’s a busy weeknight or a leisurely weekend dinner, this Rotini Pasta with Broccoli Cream Sauce is sure to become a favorite in your household.
