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Super Easy One-Pot Broccoli Cheese Pesto Pasta. Trust me, this is the pasta that everyone will beg you to make again and again. Shortcut pasta and broccoli are boiled together until al dente. Then, a splash of milk and a handful of melty Colby jack and cheddar cheese are mixed in, creating a creamy, cheesy pasta. Flavor this pasta with a couple of spoonfuls of basil pesto and fresh basil. Simple, but totally delicious!
A very simple recipe to slowly welcome in spring! With warmer, nicer weather approaching, I’m in that weird transitional phase of the year. One day it’s a full-on snowstorm. So, of course, all you want is a pot of chili simmering on the stove and beer bread in the oven. But then, the next day, it’s bright and sunny, and the snow is slowly melting. And you’re left craving the first big spring salad of the season!
I always feel so confused recipe-wise this time of year! But this pasta is a wonderful balance between comforting and fresh for spring! As you can see, it’s very cheesy, but the additions of fresh broccoli, basil pesto, and fresh basil make it feel just a smidge brighter for spring!
We love this! And what’s even more important, this dish is quick to throw together and so delicious!
Essentially, this is a fancy stove-top mac and cheese. I’ve been excited to use this new cut of pasta I ordered on Amazon, and when I wrote this idea down in my list of “recipe ideas,” I was immediately excited to make it.
I love a pasta dish full of broccoli—it’s one of my favorite vegetables. And when you add a sauce like basil pesto, it becomes even more delicious! Both Mom and I were very excited for me to test this one out. I was so sure it would come out YUMMY.
And it did not disappoint. This cheese and broccoli pasta is going to quickly become loved by all!
These are the details
Step 1: boil the pasta and broccoli
Use a pot that will be large enough to hold both the pasta and the broccoli. Fill it with around 4 cups of water.
Once the water has come to a boil, add the pasta and the broccoli. Boil together until al dente, do not drain the pasta.
Step 2: stir in all the remaining ingredients
The key is to use a touch of cream or milk to add a bit of creaminess to make a sauce. Then for the cheeses, I love using a mix of melty Colby jack cheese and white cheddar cheese. You can use any melty cheese you love. I think a yummy gouda cheese or fontina cheese would also be great!
To season, I like to use garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and a couple of tablespoons of hot sauce. The hot sauce doesn’t make this spicy by any means; it just gives the pasta a nice balanced flavor.
Step 3: the pesto
Now mix in the pesto. During the winter, I use store-bought pesto. I always keep it on hand to create quick recipes.
Mix the pesto with the parmesan cheese and add a handful of fresh basil. The basil will immediately smell so good—almost summery!
Step 4: serve
Serve the cheese pasta directly out of the pot, then top with freshly cracked pepper and/or a small grating of parmesan!
This dish is great on its own or paired with a seared steak or roasted chicken for a side of protein.We all really loved this!
Looking for other one-pot recipes? Here are my favorites:
French Onion Pasta with Crispy Prosciutto
One Skillet White Chicken Chili Bake
Healthier Homemade One Pot Hamburger Helper
Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Chicken Pasta
Lastly, if you make this Easy One Pot Broccoli Cheese Pesto Pasta, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And, of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
One Pot Broccoli Cheese Pesto Pasta
Servings: 6
Calories Per Serving: 525 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Ingredients
- 1 pound short-cut pasta
- 3 cups chopped broccoli
- 1 cup heavy cream or whole milk
- 2 cups shredded colby jack or cheddar cheese
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 2 tablespoons hot sauce
- 3 tablespoons basil pesto
- 1/3 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1/3 cup fresh chopped basil
- Kosher salt and black pepper
Instructions
- 1. In a large pot, bring 4 cups of water to a boil over high heat. Add 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, the pasta, and broccoli. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 8 minutes. Do not drain the water. 2. Stir in the milk. Add the cheeses, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, hot sauce, and pesto, and stir until melted and creamy. Remove from the heat. Stir in the parmesan and basil. Season with salt and pepper. If the sauce feels thick, add ¼ cup milk or water to thin.3. Divide the pasta and broccoli between bowls. Top with black pepper.
Well, I was skeptical, but in fact my pasta and broccoli cooked in 4 (and 1/2) cups of water in 8 minutes! I chose elbows because they have a short recommended cooking time (7 minutes), but does the time really depend on the type of pasta used? I saw in the picture above that the Gragnanesi pasta calls for 10 minutes for al dente, and the pasta in the link in the ingredients needs 10-12 minutes, so would 8 minutes still be enough for them? I’d like to know for the next time I make this in case I want to use something other than elbows. In any case, there wasn’t too much water left after 8 minutes, but the cream, hot sauce and pesto made for a delicious sauce, and I’m sure I’ll be making this again!
Hi Helen,
Wonderful!! I am so glad this recipe turned out well for you, thanks for trying it out! I’ve found that this will work with most short cut noodles:) Xx
Made this tonight with cheddar only because we didn’t have Parmesan and it’s delicious!! Love that it’s so easy in one pot & the pesto plus fresh basil makes it so good 😊
Thanks a lot, Tracy!! I am thrilled to hear that this recipe turned out well for you, thanks for your comment! Xx
My teenage son made this on a Saturday. It is absolutely delicious! The pesto gives it an amazing flavor, and the broccoli is sneaky. We cut it up into tiny pieces, because we really only want Mac n cheese but know we need our veggies.
Hey Tasha,
That’s awesome!! Love to hear that this recipe turned out well for you guys, thanks to your son for making it! Happy Sunday! xT
I was reading the notes and saw you ordered the pasta off Amazon but was curious exactly what kind it is? We love all your recipes! Thank you!
Nvm! Saw the picture! 😉
Thanks so much Kristen! It’s called Pastai Gragnanesi and the shape is Sedanini. I hope you love this recipe! xT
This was so easy! Love a one pot pasta, especially without having to drain the water. I halved the recipe but still used the 4 cups of water and added chicken sausage. Turned out so good! Will be making again.
Hey Haeley,
Wonderful!! I love to hear that this recipe turned out nicely for you, thanks so much for making it! xT
Oh my goodness, this is delicious. My husband said “I’m going to eat this slowly so I can savor every bite”. I will definitely be making this again.
Lol thanks so much, Pam!! Love to hear that this dish was a hit, I appreciate you making it! Happy Sunday! xT
Easy to make and delicious! Recipe is a keeper!
Hi Cindy,
Amazing!! I’m so glad to hear this recipe turned out well for you, thanks so much for making it! Have a great weekend! xT
So yummy! If I want to add chicken on top to make it a bit more of an entree/meal next time, would you recommend a blackened-type chicken for flavor or a simple chicken breast? Thanks so much and i love your recipes
Hey Jackie,
Happy Friday!! I am so glad to hear this recipe was a hit, thanks a lot for trying it and your comment:) I think blackened chicken would be delicious! xx
This recipe was a fast and easy dinner perfect for a weeknight. I will definitely throw some chicken on top next time I make it for a little protein.
Hey Jessica,
Amazing!! Love to hear that this dish turned out nicely for you, thanks for trying it! xx
What type of “hot sauce” do mean? Tabasco? Frank’s Red Hot?
Hi Shea,
For this recipe, I used Frank’s Red Hot. Please let me know if you have any other questions! xx
So yummy!
Thanks so much Caroline!! Love to hear this was enjoyed:) xT
Was cooking from the pantry/freezer. I only had cream cheese so I subbed it and it came out amazing!
Hey Chan,
Happy Friday!! Thanks so much for trying this recipe, I love to hear that it turned out well for you! xx
This was such a delicious snow day lunch!! Everyone loved it!
Hey Christa,
Happy Friday!! Thanks so much for trying this recipe, I love to hear that it turned out well for you! xx
This one is a winner! I added two chopped up chicken breasts and next time would add more broccoli and maybe some fresh spinach thrown in. Maybe the easiest/best pasta dish I’ve ever made. The whole family loved this!!!
Hey Chantel,
Perfect!! I appreciate you making this recipe and your comment, so glad to hear that it turned out nicely for you! Xx
I haven’t completed the recipe yet, I have a question. My pasta and broccoli soaked up the 4 cups of water. Is that measurement correct? I’m going to add about two cups more and see if I can salvage it because I can’t wait to taste it!
Hi Karina,
Thanks for giving this recipe a try. At what step did you add more water? You really shouldn’t need to add any since you aren’t draining it, anything leftover will become part of the sauce. Let me know how this turned out for you! xx