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It’s interesting to see how my picky younger daughter would not eat broccoli unless it is included in a dish. I always have to find a way to make it happen for her. She loves her pasta, so for dinner today, I made her some cheesy pasta with broccoli which I served with some delicious braised ribs.
This is how I prepared my pasta
Ingredients
1 lb. penne
½ head broccoli
2 cup cheddar cheese
1 cup Parmesan cheese
½ cup cream cheese
2 cups whole milk
1 cup chicken broth
¼ cup half and half
4 tbsp butter
1 stalk celery finely diced
1 medium onion
2 tbsp all-purpose flour
1 tsp dry mustard
Salt and pepper to taste’
For the topping
½ cup bread crumb, ½ cup Parmesan cheese, 1 tbsp dried parsley
some additional butter to butter the baking dish
Preparation
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees
Bring a pot of water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside.
Meanwhile, melt the butter in another pot. Add the celery, broccoli, and onion. Cook until they are softened for about 5 minutes.
Sprinkle on the flour and the dry mustard and stir to coat the vegetables. Add the milk, the broth, the half-and-half, and the cream cheese. Stir until they come to a boil.
Add the cheddar, the Parmesan cheese, and the salt and pepper. Stir to melt the cheese.
Add the pasta and keep stirring. Pour into the baking dish.
Combine the breadcrumbs, the remaining ½ cup parmesan, and the parsley flakes in a bowl, and sprinkle over the dish.
Bake for 25 minutes.
Bon Appetit!
This recipe looks so delicious, I will give it a try, as broccoli is a big No in our family as well, nice to find new ways to sneak it on to the plate 🙂
Yes, Jaana, the fun part, my daughter enjoyed it and did not even complain.
This is one of my fave go to weeknight recipes. It’s so easy to make and is super satisfying. Your pics are making me drool!
Thank you, Komal!
Adding this recipe for our pizza pasta Friday meals. Maybe this time my grandson would eat the broccoli, as long as it is with a cheesy pasta dish. And I know my husband would always request to add some crispy bacon bits.
I love the idea of pizza pasta Friday meals, Kristine.
I like this even though I am not a pasta person. Cheese and broccoli are tasty esp when they are crispy and melted respectively.
I have another recipe with broccoli, cheese, and rice, if you like rice Michael, you can try this: http://marjiesimpleword.com/chicken-broccoli-and-cheese-casserole/
Wow this is totally yummy and mouth watering! I would love to make this at home 🙂
It was indeed Yummy, Maysz!
Gotta add those antioxidants into that cheesy goodness! 🙂 It gives the dish such a variety of textures!
This is so true, Gigi!
This is something I would definitely love, too! I am not a big fan of broccoli unless it’s in something either. But all that cheese looks amazing!!
Just like my daughter, Stephanie!
This looks super yummy and good. Anything cheesy makes my family happy. I love the addition of the breadcrumbs.
Same for me Nichelle, cheese makes everything more delicious!
This looks and sounds so delicious! I am always looking for new recipes and ideas to get my kids eating more veg so we will definitely give this one a try as it looks like a delicious family dinner idea! Thanks for sharing x
Same for me, Jess!
mmmm… this looks and sounds so yummy! I love broccoli in tomato pasta and what is better than cheesy pasta? I am going to try this asap! Thanks for the instructions, they’re so easy to follow.
Thank you, Jade!
I read the description of the dish and started feeling hungry. It has everything a big bowl of comfort food needs: cheesy pasta with crunchy topping! And it has veggies ❤️
So true, Razena!
This looks good! I’m a big fan of pasta – we eat a lot of it in our house… And anything with cheese is a winner too!
We do too, Kate!
I love how good tastes broccoli with pasta! This is one of my favorite recipes
Same, Lina!
This is definitely a favorite for me, cheese and broccoli! Such a great combination. Glad your daughter enjoyed it!
She did, Angela!
This is my kind of dinner. We love pasta in our house, so this is a winner for sure x
It was a winner for me, Melanie!
This looks like the perfect weeknight meal to whip up. I think my husband and my kids would all love this dish!
I hope they do, Kristen!
These are all of my favorite things! I love a cheesy pasta dish and broccoli is my fave veggie. I can’t wait to try this!
Try and let me know, Christa!
This looks absolutely delicious, our whole family loves broccoli and I know they will love this recipe too! Thanks for a new idea!
Thank you, Jenn!
This looks so delicious, I’m going to try this out this weekend!
Enjoy!
This looks absolutely delicious!!!! There’s nothing better than a good cheese and broccoli pasta – definitely going to have to try this for dinner soon!
You should, Emma, it’s delicious!
Looks delicious!!!!! I love the step by step photos!!!! Keep up the great work! 🙂
Thank you!
I am saving this post for trying with my little picky eater at home. Adding veggies this way is easy and goofy thing 🙂 i will surely try.
Yes, perfect way!
That sure does look delicious. I do love pasta, cheese and broccoli and have combined them together myself before. It’s such a great comfort food.
It’s indeed some comfort food.
Delicious! I love adding broccoli to my pasta, it is such a good combination. Thanks for sharing this homemade version of the dish.
Yes and the best way to have the kids eat their veggies.
Broccoli is my go to in all pasta dishes!!! I will be trying this dish out soon!
You will like it.
Absolutely delicious idea! I’ll definitely have to print this out and add it to my recipe cards.
Thank you!
Love how straight forward the recipe here is and the fact that it looks so delicious as well. Such a great way to include broccoli as a healthy green, so that children just enjoy it along with the rest of the dish. A win-win for all!
Thank you!
I love any baked dish! This looks really tasty and I will definitely give it a go. And hopefully my kids will eat it. They are too picky and they get away with it.
I try to decorate my kids’ plates, make everything looks fancy and surprisingly, they fall for it.
I absolutely love anything with cheese 🙂 Def gonna try this!
Same here, Shelly!
There’s nothing on this recipe I don’t like. It’s like comfort food for me, I could have this all day, anyday. Thanks for sharing this recipe, it looks absolutely delicious.
It’s truly comforting food for us as well, Mary!
I wish of cooking your menu this lockdown. However, we’re locked down and can’t go outside. I’m gonna try this once we’re good. Thank you!
okay! Stay safe!
I wish I liked broccoli as you make it look so good. Great recipe thanks for sharing.
Thank you!
This looks delicious and now you’ve inspired me for lunch!
Go for it!
ohh my…Really love this recipe as I love pasta, I love cheese & I love brocolli, all in for my favourites & loves 😀 cheers, siennylovesdrawing
Same for me, Sienny!
Pasta with broccoli is me and my Toddlers favourite. Loved the Recipe.
My younger niece throws tantrums whenever we make broccoli at home. We can make this recipe and let’s hope she tries it!
Thanks for this ! Got an idea on what a healthy and delicious food to prepare for my daughter. Even though it has a vegetable she will still love this because of cheese.
Pasta with lots of broccoli is always a good idea for me. I love both of them.
This looks yummy. We are looking for a new way to cook pasta and I think this can be a good idea. Thank you for sharing!
Yeah mine always found out there is broccoli in their cheese. Its the only thing they do not like to eat.