Quick & Cozy Creamy Tomato Pasta with Broccoli Recipe

Whipping up a delightful creamy tomato pasta with broccoli can turn an ordinary evening into a culinary adventure.

Pasta lovers will appreciate how this dish blends rich, velvety textures with vibrant vegetable goodness.

Robust tomato flavors mingle beautifully with tender broccoli florets, creating a harmonious symphony on your plate.

Incredibly simple ingredients come together in less than thirty minutes, making this recipe perfect for busy weeknights.

Nutritious and satisfying, the combination delivers a hearty meal that feels both comforting and fresh.

Comfort meets nutrition in this delectable one-pot wonder that promises to delight your taste buds and nourish your body.

Let’s transform your dinner routine with this irresistible pasta experience.

Creamy Broccoli Pasta That’s A Weeknight Hero

• Quickly Prepare a Delightful Meal: This recipe offers a swift and straightforward cooking process that takes less than 30 minutes from start to finish, perfect for busy weeknights or last-minute dinner plans.
• Nutritious and Balanced Dish: Packed with vegetables like broccoli and tomatoes, the pasta provides a wholesome meal that combines protein, fiber, and essential nutrients in one delicious plate.
• Adaptable to Dietary Preferences: Easily modified for different dietary needs, the recipe can be made vegan-friendly and gluten-free by selecting appropriate pasta and milk alternatives, making it versatile for various eating styles.
• Budget-Friendly Comfort Food: Utilizing affordable ingredients like canned tomatoes, pasta, and simple vegetables, this recipe delivers a restaurant-quality meal without breaking the bank, ensuring maximum flavor at minimal cost.

Creamy Tomato Pasta with Broccoli Ingredient Breakdown

• Pasta: Delicious base for the creamy tomato sauce, provides hearty texture and filling component.
• Broccoli Florets, Grape Tomatoes, Sun-Dried Tomatoes: Fresh vegetables that add nutritional value, color, and vibrant flavor to the dish.

• Onion, Garlic: Classic flavor base that creates depth and rich taste in the sauce.
• Kosher Salt, Garlic Powder, Black Pepper: Essential for building layers of seasoning and enhancing overall taste profile.

• Tomato Paste, Crushed Tomatoes, Coconut Milk: Combination creates a smooth, rich, and creamy sauce with complex tomato flavor and dairy-free creaminess.

Pasta Instructions for Creamy Broccoli Tomato Flavor

Step 1: Craft Perfect Pasta

Grab your favorite pasta and cook it in generously salted water until it reaches that ideal al dente texture.

Once cooked, drain the pasta and set it aside, ready for its flavor adventure.

Step 2: Sauté Aromatic Base

Warm olive oil in a large pan over medium heat.

Toss in chopped onions and sprinkle with salt.

Let them dance and soften for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally until they become beautifully translucent and fragrant.

Step 3: Introduce Vibrant Vegetables

• Halved grape tomatoes
• Minced garlic
• Broccoli florets

Splash in a bit of water, stir, cover, and let the vegetables steam and become tender for 3-4 minutes.

Step 4: Build a Luxurious Sauce

• Tomato paste
• Crushed tomatoes
• Sun-dried tomatoes
• Garlic powder

Pour in creamy coconut milk and stir until everything melds together.

Allow the sauce to simmer and thicken for a couple of minutes.

Step 5: Combine and Finish

Reunite the cooked pasta with the luscious sauce, tossing everything together.

Let the pasta mingle and absorb all those incredible flavors for 1-2 minutes.

Finish with a generous sprinkle of freshly ground black pepper before serving.

Tomato Pasta with Broccoli: Creamy Sauce Tips

• Use slightly undercooked pasta since it continues cooking when mixed with the sauce, preventing mushy results.
• Swap coconut milk with heavy cream or Greek yogurt for a richer, more traditional creamy sauce.
• Roast broccoli florets separately before adding to the sauce to enhance their nutty, caramelized taste and prevent soggy texture.
• Incorporate grilled chicken, shrimp, or plant-based protein like tofu to transform this vegetarian dish into a complete meal.
• Add pasta water gradually while mixing if the sauce becomes too thick, ensuring a silky, perfectly coated pasta experience.

Store Creamy Tomato Pasta with Broccoli

• Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping the pasta fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Cover the surface with plastic wrap to prevent sauce from developing a dry layer and maintain moisture.
• Warm gently in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of water or coconut milk to restore creamy texture and prevent pasta from drying out.
• Steer clear of microwave reheating, which can make the pasta tough and sauce grainy, compromising the dish's original delicious consistency.

Best Matches for Tomato Pasta with Broccoli

• Pair with Crisp White Wine: Select a bright, acidic Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc to cut through the creamy tomato sauce and complement the vegetable flavors.
• Complement with Fresh Bread: Serve a crusty sourdough or rustic ciabatta to soak up the rich, velvety sauce and add a delightful textural contrast.
• Balance with Herbed Side Salad: Create a light mixed green salad with fresh basil, arugula, and a zesty lemon vinaigrette to refresh the palate between creamy pasta bites.
• Enhance with Parmesan Sprinkle: Grate aged Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese over the dish to add a salty, nutty dimension that elevates the tomato and broccoli flavors.

Tomato Pasta with Veggie Pairings

• Vegan Protein Boost: Replace broccoli with cubed tofu or chickpeas for added plant-based protein. Add nutritional yeast for a cheesy flavor and extra nutrients.
• Gluten-Free Friendly: Swap regular pasta with brown rice pasta or chickpea pasta to make the dish gluten-free. Ensure all other ingredients are gluten-free certified.
• Spicy Mediterranean Style: Incorporate red pepper flakes, kalamata olives, and crumbled feta cheese (or vegan feta). Sprinkle with fresh basil leaves for an aromatic Mediterranean touch.
• Low-Carb Alternative: Use spiralized zucchini noodles or cauliflower rice instead of traditional pasta. Reduce coconut milk and increase vegetables for a lighter, low-carbohydrate version.

FAQs

• Why use coconut milk in this pasta recipe?

Coconut milk adds a creamy, rich texture without dairy, creating a smooth sauce that complements the tomato flavors while making the dish lighter and more nutritious.

• Can I replace broccoli with another vegetable?

Yes, you can easily substitute broccoli with zucchini, spinach, or cauliflower. Choose vegetables with similar cooking times to ensure they’re tender without becoming mushy.

• Is this recipe considered vegan?

This recipe is completely vegan, using plant-based ingredients like coconut milk, olive oil, and vegetables. It’s a great option for those following a vegan diet or looking for dairy-free meal alternatives.

• How can I make the sauce more flavorful?

Enhance the sauce by adding a pinch of red pepper flakes, a splash of balsamic vinegar, or fresh herbs like basil or oregano. These ingredients will boost the overall depth and complexity of the tomato sauce.

Creamy Tomato Pasta With Broccoli Recipe

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• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Delicious creamy tomato pasta with broccoli brings Italian comfort straight to your kitchen. Hearty vegetables and rich sauce combine for a quick, satisfying meal that delivers bold flavors you’ll savor with every delightful bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Pasta:

• 8 ounces (226 grams) pasta (such as spaghetti, penne, or fusilli)

Main Vegetables:

• 1 medium head broccoli, florets cut small (large stem removed)
• 1 pint (473 milliliters) grape tomatoes, halved
• 1/2 yellow onion, finely chopped
• 3 large garlic cloves, minced

Sauce and Seasonings:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/4 cup crushed tomatoes
• 1/4 cup tomato paste
• 1/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes, drained and chopped
• 7.5 ounces (212 grams) full-fat coconut milk
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 2 tablespoons water
• Black pepper, for serving

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Instructions

1. Fill a large pot with water, season generously with salt, and bring to a rolling boil. Cook the pasta until it reaches a perfect al dente texture, then carefully drain and reserve.
2. Warm olive oil in a spacious skillet over medium heat. Introduce finely chopped onions and a pinch of salt, gently sautéing until they become soft and translucent, releasing their delicate sweetness.
3. Incorporate halved grape tomatoes, crushed garlic, and vibrant broccoli florets into the pan. Splash a small amount of water, cover, and allow the vegetables to steam and become tender, creating a harmonious blend of flavors.
4. Enrich the mixture by stirring in tomato paste, crushed tomatoes, sun-dried tomatoes, and a whisper of garlic powder. Pour in creamy coconut milk, creating a luscious sauce that gradually thickens and develops depth.
5. Reunite the cooked pasta with the robust sauce, gently tossing to ensure every strand is lavishly coated. Let the pasta mingle with the sauce for a few moments, absorbing the rich, complex flavors. Finish with a generous grind of black pepper, elevating the dish with a subtle kick of warmth.

Notes

• Enhance the pasta’s flavor by toasting the garlic and onions until they develop a golden-brown caramelized color, releasing deeper, richer notes.
• Use fresh or frozen broccoli interchangeably, ensuring the florets are uniformly chopped for even cooking and consistent texture throughout the dish.
• Customize the creaminess by adjusting coconut milk quantity – less milk creates a thicker sauce, while more creates a lighter, more liquid consistency.
• Transform this recipe into a protein-packed meal by adding grilled chicken, chickpeas, or plant-based protein crumbles for extra nutritional value and satiety.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 450
• Sugar: 7 g
• Sodium: 350 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 14 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 56 g
• Fiber: 5 g
• Protein: 10 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg