- 1
Cheese pasta is a delicious comfort food that can be prepared in so many ways. But, let me tell you, this creamy recipe certainly stands out in flavour and pops of colours from vegetables.
- 2
A luscious cheese sauce joins with tender pasta and healthy broccoli to give a perfect weeknight dinner or such a wonderful dish to share at gatherings. Let's walk through the steps to create this mouth-watering meal.
- 3
You will need a medium saucepan.
- 4
Place 1 cup of chicken broth and 1 cup of half-and-half in there.
- 5
These two ingredients are your creamy pasta sauce.
- 6
Bring it to a very gentle simmer over medium heat, and dissolve 1/2 chicken bouillon cube in it to give flavour to your broth. Using a bouillon cube adds richness to the sauce, making it deeper and more satisfying.
- 7
A dash of hot sauce adds a small amount of heat without too much spiciness; some good options include Frank's brand, as it has great mixing properties with all other flavourings without being too spicy.
- 8
Now, it's flavouring time.
- 9
Add 1/2 Tsp each of onion powder, garlic powder, oregano, basil, mustard powder, and parsley.
- 10
The herbs and spices together create a fragrant and well-balanced flavour. Stir everything together and let it simmer for a few minutes over low heat so that the flavours can smooth out nicely.
- 11
Meanwhile, cook pasta. In another large saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. When melted and bubbling, whisk in the 2 tablespoons of flour to create a roux. This is one stage that will seem fiddly but is necessary for the thickening of your sauce.
- 12
Continue to whisk this mixture over the heat for about 1 to 2 minutes until it becomes light golden. This cooking time removes the raw flour taste and adds a nuttiness to the sauce.
- 13
With the gradual pouring of simmering chicken broth and half-and-half mixture to the roux, make sure you keep whisking to avoid lumps, and you will find that the sauce is thickened with each addition.
- 14
Stir until smooth and creamy. It is at this step that magic happens, and raw ingredients turn into rich cheese sauce.
- 15
Now, you incorporate the broccoli in the sauce. You should use 11/2 cups of very finely chopped broccoli, which should cook quickly and melt into the sauce.
- 16
Incorporate chopped broccoli in the sauce and let it simmer for a bit, about 3-4 minutes, or till tender but still bright green. Adding this will not only be a burst of colour but also add to the nutritional value of your dish.
- 17
While the broccoli is cooking, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the 1/2 pound of Gemelli pasta according to the package instructions until al dente.
- 18
The twisted shapes of the Gemelli are perfect for holding onto the sauce. Drain the pasta and reserve a small cup of the pasta water in case you need to thin the sauce later.
- 19
Once the broccoli is softened, turn off the heat; then stir in 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese and two tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese.
- 20
The cheese will melt into the sauce for a gooey, cheesy, and flavourful coating over the pasta. If the sauce seems too thick, add a splash of the pasta cooking water until it reaches the desired consistency.
- 21
Finally, mix the cooked gemelli pasta with the creamy cheese sauce and broccoli. Toss everything until the pasta is well-coated. This dish really should be eaten when hot and stringy.
- 22
Servicing piping hot, finish the cheese pasta with extra Parmesan and a sprinkle of fresh parsley for added flavours.