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No-Boil Broccoli Pasta Bake Recipe

No-Boil Broccoli Pasta Bake Recipe
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★★★★★

5.3 from 23 reviews

This No-Boil Broccoli Pasta Bake is a comforting, cheesy casserole that combines tender pasta, fresh broccoli, and a creamy blend of cream cheese, cheddar, and heavy cream. Made entirely in one baking dish, it’s an easy, hassle-free meal perfect for busy weeknights.

Ingredients

Scale

Cheese and Dairy

  • 7.5 oz whipped chive or garlic & herb cream cheese
  • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (medium or sharp), divided
  • 2/3 cup heavy cream

Pasta and Vegetables

  • 12 oz dry pasta (rotini, penne, cellentani, or fusilli)
  • 2–3 cups fresh broccoli florets, chopped into bite-sized pieces

Liquids and Seasoning

  • 4 cups chicken broth (regular or low-sodium)
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1–2 teaspoons seasoning salt (or salt and pepper, to taste)

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) so it’s ready and hot for baking the pasta dish evenly and thoroughly.
  2. Place Cream Cheese: In a 13×9-inch baking dish, place the whipped cream cheese directly in the center. This will melt down and blend into a creamy base as the pasta cooks.
  3. Add Pasta and Broccoli: Scatter the uncooked dry pasta evenly around the cream cheese. Top the pasta with the fresh, chopped broccoli florets to add color and nutritional value.
  4. Sprinkle Cheese: Sprinkle half of the shredded cheddar cheese over the pasta and broccoli for a gooey cheesy layer early in the baking process.
  5. Season and Oil: Season the dish with 1–2 teaspoons of seasoning salt or salt and pepper to taste. Drizzle the olive oil evenly over the top to help with browning and flavor.
  6. Add Broth: Carefully pour the chicken broth over the entire dish, making sure the pasta is just submerged to ensure even cooking.
  7. First Bake: Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes to start cooking the pasta and broccoli.
  8. Stir and Continue Baking: Remove the foil after 30 minutes, stir the pasta to redistribute ingredients, then cover with foil again and bake for an additional 30 minutes to soften the pasta completely.
  9. Add Remaining Cheese and Cream: Uncover the dish, add the remaining shredded cheddar cheese, and pour in the heavy cream. Stir thoroughly until the cheese melts and the sauce is creamy and rich.
  10. Rest Before Serving: Let the pasta bake rest for about 5 minutes after removing from the oven. This helps thicken the sauce and makes serving easier.

Notes

  • Use a baking dish at least 13×9 inches to ensure enough room for even cooking.
  • Feel free to swap broccoli for other vegetables like cauliflower or spinach according to preference.
  • For a vegetarian version, replace chicken broth with vegetable broth.
  • Seasoning salt can be adjusted or replaced with regular salt and pepper to your taste.
  • Make sure the pasta is fully submerged in broth for even cooking; add a bit more broth if necessary.
  • This dish can be prepared ahead to the point of baking and refrigerated, then baked fresh when needed.

Nutrition

Keywords: broccoli pasta bake, no boil pasta bake, easy casserole, cheesy pasta bake, one dish dinner, weeknight meal

Find it online: https://leofoster.com/no-boil-broccoli-pasta-bake-recipe/