Ingredients
- 200g Pasta
- 200g Broccoli Cut Into Florets
- 2 tbsp Butter
- 2 Garlic Cloves Minced
- 100g Cream Cheese
- 150ml Milk
- 50g Parmesan Cheese
- Salt and Pepper to Taste
- Nutmeg
Method
Step 1: Microwave Pasta
In a large microwave-safe bowl, combine the pasta and enough water to cover it. Microwave on high for 7-8 minutes until almost cooked.
Step 2: Add Broccoli
Add the broccoli florets to the bowl with the pasta and microwave for another 3-4 minutes until the broccoli is tender and the pasta is cooked fully.
Step 3: Make the Sauce
In another microwave-safe bowl, add the butter then blast it for 20 seconds until melted.
Add the minced garlic and microwave for 30 seconds. Stir in the cream cheese and milk. Microwave for another 1-2 minutes, stirring every 30 seconds, until the mixture is smooth.
Add the grated Parmesan cheese, salt, pepper, and a pinch of nutmeg. Stir until you have a creamy, smooth sauce. You need to act quick with this as you want the residual heat to melt the parmesan into a silky cheese sauce.
Step 4: Combine
Drain the pasta and broccoli, then return them to the large bowl. Pour the Alfredo sauce over the pasta and broccoli. Toss everything together until the pasta and broccoli are well coated in the sauce.
Step 5: Season and Serve
Adjust seasoning if needed. Serve the dish hot, garnished with extra Parmesan cheese if desired, which of course it will be!
Tweaks
- Add Freshness and Greenery Add some freshness to the sauce by folding in some chopped parsley or wilting in some spinach leaves.
- Boost the Umami Boost the umami profile of the sauce by adding a couple of drops of Worcestershire sauce.
- Give it Heat Give the sauce some heat by adding a small pinch of dried chilli flakes.
Substitutes
- Change the Cheese Parmesan gives you a saltiness but you could opt for other grated cheese including mozzarella or cheddar, both work well with broccoli.
- Make It Vegan You’ll need to make a few changes to turn this into a vegan dish. Use vegan spread in place of butter, plant-based soft cheese for the cream cheese, oat milk in place of the milk and a vegan cheese.
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Storage
- In the Fridge First let it cool to room temperature. Then, transfer it to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 2 days. Remember, reheating creamy sauces like Alfredo can change their texture.
- In the Freezer Cool it to room temperature, then portion it into freezer-safe containers or bags. It helps to slightly undercook the pasta if you plan to reheat it later. Freeze quickly to maintain quality. Properly stored, it can last up to 3 months.
Tips
Use Room Temp Cream Cheese: Before you start, take the cream cheese out of the fridge to bring it to room temperature. This helps it blend more smoothly into the sauce.
Infuse the Butter: When melting the butter in the microwave, add a sprig of fresh thyme or rosemary. This will infuse the butter with an extra layer of flavour.
Cut Evenly: Cut the broccoli into uniform, bite-sized pieces. This ensures even cooking. If you overcook it, it will disintegrate into your sauce.
Reserve Pasta Water: Before draining the pasta and broccoli, reserve a little bit of the pasta water. If your sauce becomes too thick, stir in a few tablespoons of this starchy water.
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Broccoli Alfredo Pasta Recipe
Course: DinnerCuisine: ItalianDifficulty: Medium4
servings10
minutes14
minutes24
minutesBroccoli alfredo pasta in the microwave… surely, not?! Well, this recipe goes to show that you can cook just about anything in a microwave
Ingredients
200 g 200 Pasta
200 g 200 Broccoli, Cut Into Florets
2 tbsp 2 Butter
2 2 Garlic Cloves, Minced
100 g 100 Cream Cheese
150 ml 150 Milk
50 g 50 Parmesan Cheese
Salt and Pepper
Nutmeg
Directions
- Place pasta in a large microwave-safe bowl, cover with water, and microwave on high for 7-8 minutes until nearly cooked.
- Add broccoli florets to the bowl and microwave for 3-4 minutes until broccoli is tender and pasta is fully cooked.
- In a separate bowl, microwave butter for 20 seconds to melt. Add garlic, microwave for 30 seconds, then mix in cream cheese and milk. Microwave for 1-2 minutes, stirring every 30 seconds, until smooth.
- Stir Parmesan, salt, pepper, and a pinch of nutmeg into the sauce until creamy.
- Drain pasta and broccoli, return to the bowl, and mix with the Alfredo sauce.
- Adjust seasoning as needed and serve hot, optionally garnished with extra Parmesan.
