Broccoli has always been one of my go-to vegetables. I don’t know if I’ve ever called broccoli my favorite vegetable (likely I have, I get overly passionate about vegetables sometimes).
I don’t think I’ve ever had a broccoli obsession. I’ve had an obsession with kale, green beans, and I’ll probably forever be on and off obsessed with Brussels sprouts.
But broccoli, it’s always been a stable fall back. If I’m at the grocery store without a plan (which is too often, I really need to get organized), I will always pick up a couple broccoli florets and a red bell pepper.
Related: 40 Easy 30-Minute Dinner Ideas and 60 Easy Dinner Recipes
This dish is all about the broccoli. This does contain cream and cheese, but it’s not exactly like alfredo sauce. It’s a lot more vegetable-based while still feeling like major comfort food. Also, it’s super easy to make. Which I say in almost every dinner idea I show you guys. Guess I’m not a fussy dinner kind of gal. 🙂
Creamy Broccoli Pasta, serves 2-3.
1 large head of broccoli (about 10 oz. is what I used)
8 oz. linguine or fettuccine pasta
6 basil leaves
2-3 cloves of garlic
1/2 cup heavy cream
2 egg yolks
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
salt and pepper to taste
Begin by blanching the broccoli just until bright green and softened enough to cut with a fork. Drain from the boiling water and toss in a food processor (or good blender) along with the basil and garlic cloves. Process until well chopped.
Cook the pasta according to the package directions until al dente. I was using linguine, so this only took about 9 minutes once my water was boiling.
In a large saucepan, combine the broccoli mixture, cream, and egg yolks over medium heat. Stir to combine. If you want a thinner sauce, you can add some of the pasta water or more cream.
Toss in the drained pasta once it’s ready as well as the cheese. Keep stirring over medium heat until the cheese begins to melt and everything is coated in the broccoli sauce.
Taste and add salt and pepper to your liking. You can also top each serving with just a little more cheese (I did!). Eat your veggies and enjoy. xo. Emma
My 6 year-old loved this recipe!
I did this with my immersion blender… Just left a little bit of cooking liquid in the pan before blending it.
Thanks, Emma! Such a yummy recipe! I added a bit of pancetta (my BF is a meat lover) and we had a super hearty meal.
I made this tonight and it was AMAZING!! I substituted half-and-half for heavy whipping cream because…CALORIES OUT THE YAZOO, but it was amazing! I just added a wee bit more. I also put a small amount of cheese directly in the sauce. We also sauteed chicken breast and mixed that in as well! Overall, it was amazing. Every recipe I make from you guys is amazing!!
I can’t handle how good this looks….
http://mademoiselleaventure.blogspot.ca
Could I make it without the eggs? Would olive oil be good enough to hold together the ingredients? You have my attention! Great post.
This does look delicious. However. I just made it and you have GOT to be kidding me with that garlic!! I made the recipe exactly as written, except I doubled it for my family of 6. I KNEW that 6 cloves of RAW garlic would be too much. Even as a garlic LOVER (I seriously usually double the garlic in most recipes). So I went ahead and used 3 cloves in my doubled recipe. It was still so completely overwhelming. It literally made the sauce SPICY with how much raw garlic pungency there was. It was awful. Many of us couldn’t finish it. Sorry to be so harsh, but I was pretty frustrated, especially because I knew better.
just made this tonight (tagged you on IG) and it turned out so good! I added a little water near the end because it got a little thick. Also used fresh basil from a plant I grown in my house and it was super flavorful. Perfect with the cod filets we bought.
I would double the ingredients so you have enough sauce 🙂 -Jacki
If I’m going to use double the pasta should I just go ahead and double the rest of the ingredients as well? Wasn’t sure if there would be enough sauce!
Yummy!! I usually make creamy avocado pasta (pretty similar to this) so I definitely need to try this recipe. Great post!
I’ll happily say I am obsessed wih broccoli. My name is Bec and sometimes I get called Beccolie.. haha. Lovely recipe! Bec x
So have to try this, and tonight looks like the perfect night. xx
Do you have any recommendations on how to make this without a blender/food processor? I love broccoli, pasta and cheese, so I really want to try this out!
That looks delicious. Broccoli is a great vegetable to have on hand- I buy it every week, and most of the time it’s just steamed on a quick dinner night. But I’ve put it in just about everything. Never tried pureeing it in a pasta sauce though! I would really like this.
Oeh that looks yummie 🙂
X Willemijn Sofie
Amsterdam So Fashion
Looks super yummy. Broccoli is one of my favorite veggies (next to zucchini) to use with pasta.
rae of love from berlin
Looks awesome!!
I just made it, and it’s amazing!
Even though I didn’t have basil at home, =(
What a great idea, I’m gonna be making this dish regularly.
Greetings from Colombia,.
Very cool idea! My husband claims he doesn’t like broccoli, but I bet this would convince him otherwise!