I love one pot pastas because they are super easy with minimal cleanup. This one pot creamy parmesan broccoli pasta is garlicky with a hint of lemon, the perfect weeknight dinner!

Creamy Parmesan Broccoli Pasta
If you know me you know that I love pasta. I wish I could eat pasta for every single meal, that’s how much I love it. I never get sick of it, no matter how many times I heard that growing up. As an adult I strive to find ways to make weeknight dinners easier, enter the miracle of one pot pastas. I love one pot pastas because they are super easy and quick to come together, and there are way less dishes! As a busy adult with a full time job, that’s a win. If you like creamy pasta and want to make dinner easier on yourself, you’ve got to try this recipe!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- It comes together in less than 25 minutes and only uses one pot, less dishes!
- It’s creamy and garlicky with a hint of fresh lemon juice.
- It can easily be adapted to your tastes by adding different vegetables (like peas) or protein (like chicken).

To Make this one pot creamy parmesan broccoli pasta You Will Need:
- Butter – I like to use salted for this recipe as the recipe does not call for additional salt to be added.
- Garlic – You can use fresh minced garlic or jarred minced garlic, either will work.
- Chicken Broth – Gives the dish a unique flavor and helps to cook the pasta.
- Half & Half – Adds the creaminess to the dish.
- Pasta – I like to use shells so the sauce can get into every nook and cranny, but a similar shaped pasta can be substituted.
- Onion Powder & Pepper – Seasonings that add flavor to the sauce.
- Fresh Parsley – I always prefer fresh parsley vs dried, but dried can be substituted.
- Broccoli – This recipe calls for fresh broccoli florets, not frozen.
- Lemon Juice – Lemon juice adds a freshness to the pasta.
- Parmesan Cheese – Freshly grated parmesan cheese is always best, pre-grated cheese doesn’t melt as well due to the preservatives added.

How To Make One pot creamy parmesan broccoli pasta:
- Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add the garlic and cook until fragrant (about 30 seconds to 1 minute). Ensure you do not burn the garlic!
- Add the chicken broth, half & half, onion powder, pepper, and stir.
- Bring the liquid mixture to a boil and add the pasta to the skillet to submerge the pasta. Return the skillet to a boil.
- Cook with the skillet partially covered according to the pasta’s package directions.
- Add the Broccoli florets to the pot during the last 6-8 minutes. Stir occasionally so that the pasta does not stick to the bottom of the pot.
- Remove the skillet from the heat. Add lemon juice and half of the fresh parsley and stir.
- Add the freshly grated parmesan cheese and stir until melted and well combined. If the skillet is too hot when you add the parmesan it will become grainy.
- Garnish the dish with the remainder of the fresh parsley and enjoy! I like to top my bowl with additional fresh parmesan and parsley.
- This tastes great reheated for a quick lunch and pairs well with cheddar bay biscuits (or Texas toast)!

Notes
- Using freshly grated parmesan cheese is always best as it melts much better than pre-grated cheese.
- If broccoli isn’t your thing you can easily substitute for another veggie like peas.
- This recipe comes together even faster if you prepare all the ingredients ahead of time.
- Don’t add the cheese to the pan when it’s super hot or it will become grainy.

One Pot Creamy Parmesan Broccoli Pasta
Ingredients
- 4 Tbsp Butter Salted
- 4 Cloves Garlic Minced
- 2 Cups Chicken Broth
- 1 ¼ Cups Half & Half
- ½ Lb Pasta
- ¼ Tsp Onion Powder
- ¼ Tsp Pepper
- 3 Cups Broccoli Florets Fresh, uncooked
- 2 Tsp Lemon Juice
- ¼ Tsp Fresh Parsley
- ¾ Cup Parmesan Cheese Freshly Grated
Instructions
- Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add garlic and cook until fragrant (~30 seconds to 1 minute).
- Add the chicken broth, half & half, onion powder, and pepper.
- Bring the liquid to a boil and add the pasta. Return to a boil.
- Cook partially covered according to package directions.
- Add Broccoli to the pot during the last 6-8 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Remove skillet from heat. Add lemon juice and half of the fresh parsley.
- Add parmesan cheese and stir until melted and well combined.
- Garnish with the remainder of the fresh parsley and enjoy!

[…] you love one pot pastas be sure to check out my one pot creamy parmesan broccoli pasta and my one pot creamy bacon and pea […]