Give homemade Broccoli Pasta extra yum with this power-packed cheese sauce that contains four cups of broccoli. It is ready in less than 20 minutes, has two veggies in the mix, and is super easy to make. You can even freeze extra portions of the broccoli pasta sauce for future meals!
I am a big fan of serving vegetables to the kids in all sorts of ways, and this Broccoli Pasta is a favorite. It’s similar to my Green Pasta Sauce but uses broccoli instead of cauliflower. It’s a great option for kids who already love their kids broccoli recipes, who haven’t yet found a favorite way to eat it, or who need a cozy, cheesy pasta recipe!
You can make the sauce as you prepare the pasta or you can make it ahead and store it in the fridge or freezer. You can use dairy-free cheese if needed. And you can combine the broccoli sauce with any type of pasta you like.
(You may also like my Cheesy Broccoli Rice, Broccoli for Babies, Broccoli Fritters, and Broccoli Tots if you have more broccoli to use up. And more one-pan pasta recipes.)
Table of Contents
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Ingredients You Need
Here’s a look at the ingredients you need to make this Broccoli Pasta recipe to share with the kids so you know what to have on hand. This is an easy weeknight meal, or you can pack it in a thermos as a hot lunch for daycare or school.
- Broccoli florets: You can use a full broccoli crown, precut florets, or frozen broccoli in this recipe, according to what you have or prefer to use. They all work about the same.
- Baby spinach: Baby spinach adds iron, fiber, and a bright green color to the sauce. It’s such a fun way to serve greens to kids, and it blends right in. You can skip this if you don’t have it, though the sauce will be a little less bright green in color.
- Milk (or cream or half-and-half): You can use any of the options I mention to ensure that the pasta sauce is thick and creamy. You can also use a plain, unsweetened nondairy milk if needed.
- Broth: A little broth adds flavor to the sauce recipe. You can use reduced-sodium chicken broth or vegetable broth.
- Shredded cheddar cheese: Shredded cheddar cheese adds flavor and creaminess to this cheese sauce.
- Butter: A little butter adds richness and flavor to the pasta sauce. I usually use unsalted butter in my cooking so I can add the salt to taste.
- Garlic powder (optional): Add a pinch of garlic powder for more flavor in the sauce.
- Pasta (such as elbows, mini shells, farfalle, orecchiette, or another mini pasta shape): You can serve this pasta sauce with any pasta you prefer, though we love this most with short pasta shapes such as elbows or mini wagon wheels.
- Parmesan cheese and cracked black pepper, optional.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Below is a look at how to make this Easy Broccoli Pasta so you know what to expect from the process. Scroll down to the end of the post for the full amounts and timing.
Step 1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil and cook the broccoli until just soft and tender.
Step 2. Use a fine-mesh strainer or slotted spoon to transfer broccoli to a blender. Add the rest of the ingredients.
Step 3. Blend the sauce very smooth.
Step 4. Stir into pasta, using as much or as little sauce as you like..
Frequently Asked Questions
Broccoli pasta is made by using a combination of pasta and a sauce made from cooked broccoli, cheese, spices, and a little cream to bring it together.
You can cook it just until tender in almost any way to serve it up with ample nutrition, whether steaming, boiling in a small amount of water, roasting, or sauteeing.
This broccoli pasta sauce tastes like cheesy broccoli.
How to Store
Store any leftovers of the Broccoli Pasta sauce in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-5 days. Warm for 30-60 seconds in the microwave to serve.
You can also add the sauce to a freezer container or small freezer bag and freeze for up to 6 months. Thaw at room temperature, overnight in the fridge, or briefly in the microwave.
Best Tips for Success
- Use whichever kind of pasta your family likes best in this Broccoli Pasta recipe.
- Omit the garlic powder if you’re worried the kids may not like it.
- Stir the Broccoli Pasta Sauce into the pasta right before serving.
- Use as much or as little of the sauce as you prefer.
- Dairy-free: Omit the cheese, use broth instead of milk, and add ½ cup white beans. Or use dairy-free cheese, butter, and milk.
- Gluten-free: Use gluten-free pasta as desired.
- Top your serving with cracked black pepper or red pepper flakes, if desired. You might even like some fresh lemon zest.
- Pair with Salmon Nuggets, Italian Chicken Cutlets, or Chickpea Fritters.
Related Recipes
Dinner
Homemade Broccoli Tots
Vegetables
Easy Roasted Broccoli
Dinner
Homemade Pizza Pockets
Recipes
Creamy Broccoli Pasta
I’d love to hear your feedback on this post, so please rate and comment below!
Easy Broccoli Pasta
Ingredients
- 4 cups broccoli florets (fresh or frozen)
- 2 cups baby spinach (optional but recommended)
- ⅓ cup reduced-sodium broth (chicken or vegetable)
- ⅓ cup heavy cream (or milk)
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 tablespoons butter
- ¼ teaspoon salt (optional)
- pinch garlic powder (optional)
- 1 pound pasta (such as elbows or other mini pasta shape)
- Parmesan cheese, cracked black pepper, red pepper flakes, lemon zest (optional)
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the broccoli and cook for 4 minutes or until soft when poked with a fork.
- Use a fine-mesh strainer or slotted spoon to remove the broccoli and add to a blender. Add the spinach, broth, cream, cheese, butter, salt, and garlic powder if using. Blend until smooth.
- Meanwhile, add the pasta to the boiling water from Step 1 and cook according to package directions. Drain and return to the pot.
- Stir as much of the cheese sauce into the pasta as you like to coat the pasta thoroughly. Serve warm, topped with parmesan, red pepper flakes, lemon zest and/or cracked black pepper if desired.
Video
Notes
- Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-5 days. Warm for 30-60 seconds in the microwave to serve.
- You can make the cheese sauce up to 3 days ahead and store it in an airtight container. Warm for 15-30 seconds in the microwave before stirring into the pasta.
- Freeze prepared cheese sauce for up to 6 months. You can do small portions by freezing it in an ice cube tray.
- Use whichever kind of pasta your family likes best.
- Omit the garlic powder if you’re worried the kids may not like it.
- Stir the sauce into the pasta right before serving.
- Dairy-free: Omit the cheese, use broth instead of milk, and add ½ cup white beans. Or use dairy-free cheese, butter, and milk.
Nutrition
This recipe was first published October 2023.
I was looking for help getting my daughter (almost two) to eat veggies, and this was a big hit. Thank you so much for sharing! My husband and I love it too.
Loved this pasta! It was a great healthy alternative to mac & cheese to try with my 9 month old thats led weaning. We both loved it! Will definitely make it a regular meal when we want some kind of pasta!
Can I use frozen spinach?
Sure!
i loved it and so did my two sons 4 and 2. most of your recipes are hits in our household. very happy i stumbled upon you last year.
The flavor was there but the consistency did not go over well. I think something a little creamier would work better for my son.
Great recipe. Easy to make and our toddler loves it. What a good way to sneak broccoli and spinach into a kid-friendly meal!
This is fantastic. Will surely join the regular rotation. My kids love all your pastas with veg sauces. I usually add some seasoning to them for the adults, but this one was perfect as is for both kids and adults.
I just made this for my 1.5 yo twins. It. Was. A. Hit!!! I liked it, too. Now they are running around all crazy happy from full bellies after a delicious meal. This one will be repeated for sure!
I’m so glad!
Can you use frozen spinach for this recipe?
Sure
So easy to make, and my 7 yo loved it! I used a garbanzo based pasta for added protein, and it turned out well.
I’m 46 and lactose intolerant. It’s so nice to see dairy alternatives listed! That said, giving up regular butter is pushing it too far for me personally. I can deal with some… discomfort:).
I love broccoli. I tend to steer clear of cauliflower recipes due to the smell of cooking (and cooked) cauliflower making me sick. Raw is fine though:)
This is most definitely something I’d have loved as a child. Fortunately, broccoli never was an issue. Brussel Sprouts on the other hand…..***shudders***
Silk (soybean) milk fine? I hate almond milk, that’s why I ask.
My sauce is really watery! Taste nice but how can I thicken? Thank you so much!
It’s possible it may thicken some as it sits. Do you think you might have gotten water into the sauce when you removed the broccoli from the pot?
Yes definitely did get water in but you’re right it thickened as time passed, thank you it’s yummy 😋
You nailed it, once again! My 15-month-old baby boy ate a full plate of this pasta… it rarely happens. Thank you so so much for all the work you do for us!! Xxx
I’m so glad!
Delightful. Kids wouldn’t eat it because if was green despite the name but I have strange kids. They don’t like pizza either so not a good judge, lol. I thought it was super tasty. I used rice noodles and was so happy it was gluten free macaroni. I’ve missed it!! Definitely will make it again.
Glad to hear that you enjoyed it and kids will be kids!
Hi Amy! I love your recipes for my 2 year old! My one wish for your recipes is for you to add weight measurements for some things. For example, “4 cups of broccoli” can vary widely depending on the size of the florets. And an instruction like “2 cups lightly packed spinach” (which you mention on some recipes) can mean many things to many people :). If it’s not too much extra work for you I’d really appreciate this addition. Thanks for all you do!
Hi- If you toggle the recipe to metric, you will see the weight info if that helps. I will keep that in mind and will also try to provide more info! Thanks for the feedback!
Oh that’s so helpful – thank you!
Sure, I wish it was more obvious that it was there!