Broccoli and cheddar is one of those classic combos that pretty much everyone loves, and paired with curly pasta (a familiar favorite for littles), this Cheesy Broccoli Pasta with White Beans is an easy win at our dinner table. But what I love most about this one is that the creamy, cheesy sauce gets its protein from whole foods, not powders. Real cheese, a little half and half, and a boost from nutrition yeast and white beans do all the work.
And speaking of white beans, the bump up both the fiber and protein on the sly here, so a bowl of “just pasta” actually keeps everyone full and satisfied. Best of all, it comes together in one pot in under 30 minutes and is popular with the kids, which makes it exactly the kind of weeknight dinner I reach for again and again! Easy, cheesy and dinner is done.
Ingredients for Easy Cheesy Broccoli Pasta with White Beans (makes 4 servings)
- 8 oz cavatappi or rotini pasta, dry
- 4 cups broccoli florets, trimmed
- 2 Tbsp olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp mustard powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 cup broth
- 1/2 cup half and half
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup cheddar cheese
- 1/4 cup nutritional yeast
- 1 can white beans, rinsed and drained
Ingredients for Easy Cheesy Broccoli Pasta with White Beans
- Cook the pasta in a large heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven, according to package directions. During the last 3 minutes of cooking, add the broccoli florets to the same pot.
- Reserve some of the pasta water before draining, then drain the pasta and broccoli. (If you’re serving little ones who prefer things plain, set aside some pasta and broccoli here.)
- In the same pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and saute for about 30 seconds, until fragrant.
- Add the onion powder, garlic powder, mustard powder, salt, and broth. Simmer for 3–5 minutes.
- Stir in the half and half, parmesan, cheddar, and nutritional yeast. Bring to a low simmer for 3–5 minutes, until the sauce is smooth and slightly thickened.
- Fold the pasta, broccoli, and white beans into the sauce. Toss to coat, adding a splash of reserved pasta water if needed to loosen things up. Taste and add more salt if needed, then serve warm.
Easy Cheesy Broccoli Pasta with White Beans (One Pot)
Ingredients
Method
- Cook the pasta according to package directions. During the last 3 minutes of cooking, add the broccoli florets to the same pot.
- Reserve some of the pasta water before draining, then drain the pasta and broccoli. (If you’re serving little ones who prefer things plain, set aside some pasta and broccoli here.)
- In the same pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and saute for about 30 seconds, until fragrant.
- Add the onion powder, garlic powder, mustard powder, salt, and broth. Simmer for 3–5 minutes.
- Stir in the half and half, parmesan, cheddar, and nutritional yeast. Bring to a low simmer for 3–5 minutes, until the sauce is smooth and slightly thickened.
- Fold the pasta, broccoli, and white beans into the sauce. Toss to coat, adding a splash of reserved pasta water if needed to loosen things up. Taste and add more salt if needed, then serve warm.
Notes
- Reserve a little pasta water before draining. That starchy water is perfect for loosening the sauce and helping it cling to the pasta.
- Don’t skip rinsing the white beans. It removes excess sodium and gives you a cleaner flavor.
- This is an easy one to stretch. Add extra beans or broccoli to feed a bigger crowd without much fuss.
- Want more protein? Add extra white beans or fold in some cooked rotisserie chicken.
- Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- Reheat: Warm on the stovetop or in the microwave, adding a splash of broth or milk to loosen the sauce.
- Freezer: Cream-based sauces can change texture when frozen, so this one is best enjoyed fresh or refrigerated.
Nutrition Info (per serving):
471 calories, 11 g fat (5 g saturated), 72 g carbs (13.5 g fiber, no added sugar), 24 g protein
Why You’ll Love Easy Cheesy Broccoli Pasta with White Beans
- Protein-rich sauce made from whole foods, not powders
- Classic broccoli and cheddar flavor everyone loves
- Curly pasta that’s a familiar favorite for kids
- White beans boost both fiber and protein
- 13.5 g of fiber and 24 g of protein per serving
- One pot and under 30 minutes
- Easy to keep portions plainer for selective eaters
FAQs
Can I make this vegetarian?
Yes. Simply use vegetable broth in place of chicken broth, and it’s fully vegetarian.
What white beans work best?
Great northern, cannellini, or navy beans all work beautifully. Just rinse and drain before folding them in.
Can I make this dairy-free?
You can experiment with a plant-based half and half and dairy-free cheese, though the flavor and texture will shift. The nutritional yeast helps keep that cheesy flavor either way.
What does the nutritional yeast do?
It adds a savory, cheesy depth of flavor along with extra B vitamins, and lets you use less cheese while keeping things rich. If you don’t have it, just omit it! It’ll just bring the protein per serving down to 22 g.
Can I use a different pasta shape?
Absolutely. Cavatappi and rotini hold the sauce well, but any short pasta shape will work.
How do I make this work for picky eaters?
Set aside some plain cooked pasta and broccoli before saucing, so the little ones who prefer things simple still get a version they’ll eat.
More Fiber-Rich, Kid-Friendly Dinners You’ll Love
- Crispy Sheet Pan Black Bean Tacos
- Easy Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Gnocchi with Spinach (One Pot Meal!)
- Easy Roasted Garlic Tomato Soup (One Pot Meal)
- Creamy Baked Pasta Primavera (Easy One-Dish Dinner)
- Easy BBQ White Bean & Chicken Skillet Quesadilla
- Lentil & Beef Kofta (High-Protein Sheet Pan Dinner)
- Quick & Easy Tofu Fried Rice Recipe (One Pan, 10 Minutes)
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