Creamy Broccoli Pasta Bake recipe

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 How to prepare  Creamy Broccoli Pasta Bake Detailed recipe

🥦 Creamy Broccoli Pasta Bake

Serves: 4–6
Prep time: 20 minutes
Cooking time: 25–30 minutes
Total time: About 50 minutes
Oven: 190°C / 375°F

Ingredients

For the pasta

  • 300 g penne, fusilli, or macaroni
  • 2–3 cups broccoli florets
  • 1 tablespoon salt, for pasta water

For the creamy cheese sauce

  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour (maida)
  • 2 cups milk, preferably warm
  • 1 cup grated cheddar cheese
  • ½ cup grated mozzarella cheese
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning or mixed herbs
  • ¼ teaspoon chilli flakes, optional
  • Salt, to taste
  • ¼ teaspoon nutmeg, optional

For the topping

  • ½ cup grated mozzarella or cheddar
  • 2 tablespoons breadcrumbs
  • 1 tablespoon grated Parmesan, optional
  • 1 teaspoon melted butter, optional

Step 1: Prepare the broccoli

  1. Cut the broccoli into small, bite-sized florets.
  2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
  3. Add the broccoli and cook for 2–3 minutes. It should become bright green but remain slightly firm.
  4. Remove the broccoli and set aside.
  5. Keep the water boiling for the pasta.

Tip: Don't overcook the broccoli at this stage because it will cook again in the oven.

Step 2: Cook the pasta

  1. Add the pasta to the boiling broccoli water.
  2. Cook according to the package instructions, but stop 1–2 minutes before the recommended cooking time.
  3. The pasta should be slightly firm (al dente).
  4. Drain well.

Don't rinse the pasta, as the surface starch helps the cheese sauce cling to it.

Step 3: Make the creamy cheese sauce

  1. Heat a large saucepan over medium heat.
  2. Add 2 tablespoons butter.
  3. Once melted, add the chopped garlic.
  4. Cook for about 30–45 seconds, just until fragrant. Don't let the garlic turn dark.
  5. Add 2 tablespoons flour.
  6. Stir continuously for about 1 minute to cook the flour.
  7. Slowly add the warm milk while whisking continuously.
  8. Continue cooking for 3–5 minutes, stirring frequently, until the sauce thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon.
  9. Reduce the heat to low.
  10. Add black pepper, Italian seasoning, chilli flakes, nutmeg, and a little salt.
  11. Add 1 cup cheddar and ½ cup mozzarella.
  12. Stir until the cheese melts completely and the sauce becomes smooth.

Important

Keep the heat low after adding the cheese. Very high heat can make the cheese sauce oily or grainy.

Step 4: Combine everything

  1. Add the cooked pasta to the cheese sauce.
  2. Add the blanched broccoli.
  3. Gently mix until all the pasta and broccoli are coated.
  4. Taste and adjust the salt and seasoning.

The mixture should look slightly more saucy than you want the finished dish to be, because the pasta will absorb some sauce while baking.

Step 5: Assemble the bake

  1. Preheat your oven to 190°C / 375°F.
  2. Lightly grease a baking dish with butter or oil.
  3. Transfer the pasta and broccoli mixture into the dish.
  4. Spread it evenly.
  5. Sprinkle the remaining ½ cup grated cheese over the top.
  6. Mix the breadcrumbs with Parmesan and a little melted butter, if using.
  7. Sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture over the cheese.

Step 6: Bake

Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 20–25 minutes.

It's ready when:

  • The sauce is bubbling around the edges.
  • The cheese has melted.
  • The top is lightly golden and crisp.

For a more deeply browned top, switch to the grill/broiler setting for 1–2 minutes at the end. Watch it carefully because it can burn quickly.

Step 7: Rest and serve

Remove the pasta bake from the oven and let it rest for 5–10 minutes before serving.

This allows the sauce to thicken slightly and makes it easier to serve.

Optional additions

You can customize the bake with:

  • Chicken: Add 1–1½ cups cooked shredded or diced chicken.
  • Mushrooms: Sauté 1 cup sliced mushrooms with the garlic.
  • Sweet corn: Add ½–1 cup cooked corn.
  • Capsicum: Add ½ cup diced bell pepper.
  • Spinach: Stir in 1–2 cups baby spinach before baking.
  • Extra spicy: Add chopped green chilli or more chilli flakes.
  • Indian-style: Add ½ teaspoon chilli powder and a pinch of garam masala to the sauce.

Make-ahead instructions

Assemble the entire dish, but don't bake it. Cover and refrigerate for up to 24 hours.

When ready to cook, take it out of the refrigerator for about 20–30 minutes, then bake at 190°C for approximately 25–35 minutes, until hot and bubbling.

If the top starts browning too quickly, loosely cover it with foil.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Reheat in the oven or microwave. If the pasta has become dry, add a splash of milk before reheating.

🍽️ Serving suggestion

Serve the broccoli pasta bake with a simple green salad, garlic bread, or roasted vegetables for a complete meal.

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