Creamy Cheesy Broccoli Pasta

cheddar cheese

🥗Healthier: reduced-fat cheddar

💰Cheaper: processed cheese

Reduced-fat cheddar lowers calories while processed cheese is often cheaper.

milk

🥗Healthier: almond milk

💰Cheaper: water

Almond milk reduces calories and can replace milk for a lighter sauce.

butter

🥗Healthier: olive oil

💰Cheaper: margarine

Olive oil is a healthier fat option, while margarine is often less expensive.

parmesan cheese

🥗Healthier: nutritional yeast

💰Cheaper: grated mozzarella

Nutritional yeast is a dairy-free alternative, while mozzarella is typically cheaper.

Bring a large pot of water to a boil, salt it generously, and cook the pasta until al dente according to package directions. Reserve 1-2 cups of pasta water before draining.

While the pasta is cooking, heat the olive oil in a large pan over medium heat and melt the butter in it.

Add the shallots and garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes until translucent.

Next, stir in the red chili flakes and chopped broccoli and cook for 5 minutes, until the broccoli is tender but hasn’t lost the vibrant green.

Stir in the heavy cream and simmer for 1-2 minutes, then add the grated cheddar and stir well until completely melted. Add some of the reserved pasta water as needed to make the sauce silky smooth.

Add the cooked pasta to the pan and toss everything together until the pasta is well coated in the sauce. If it looks too dry, add more of the reserved pasta water.

Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste and serve immediately with some grated Parmesan on top if you like.

Cooking Techniques

Spice Level:

Dietary

Allergens