This healthy One Pot Broccoli Alfredo Pasta has a delicious, creamy sauce that's healthier than traditional fettuccine alfredo!

Two bowls of broccoli alfredo pasta with cutlery next to them.

Made with a creamy, flavorful sauce and packed with tender broccoli, it’s a nutritious twist on traditional fettuccine alfredo. Best of all, it’s cooked in one pot, making it an easy, quick, and mess-free meal perfect for busy weeknights.

Why you'll love this recipe

Healthier comfort food: Enjoy a creamy alfredo sauce with less guilt!
One-pot wonder: Everything cooks in one pot, saving you time and minimizing cleanup.
Quick and easy: Ready in under 30 minutes!

Ingredients and substitutions

Butter – or a butter substitute of your choice like margarine or olive oil.
Garlic – fresh minced garlic is best, but jarred minced garlic can be used in a pinch.
Vegetable broth – chicken broth is the best substitute here.
Milk – I use 2% milk, but you can use any milk or dairy-free milk of your choice.
Rotini pasta – use any pasta of your choice like penne, fusili or even gluten-free pasta.
Broccoli – you can use either fresh or frozen broccoli for this recipe.
Heavy cream – half and half would also work, but the pasta won't be as creamy.
Parmesan cheese – nutritional yeast is a good dairy-free substitute.

Ingredients for broccoli alfredo pasta: pasta, broccoli, butter, vegetable borth, salt, pepper, garlic, parmesan cheese, milk and heavy cream.

How to make broccoli alfredo pasta

Steps 1 and 2 for making broccoli alfredo pasta: Saute the garli then make the sauce.

Step 1: Sauté the garlic.

Saute the garlic in the butter.

Step 2: Make the sauce.

Add in the broth, milk, salt and pepper and bring to a boil.

Steps 3 and 4 for making broccoli alfredo pasta: Add in pasta and broccoli.

Step 3: Add the pasta.

Coat the pasta in the sauce and stir.

Step 4: Stir in the broccoli.

Add in the broccoli.

Steps 5 and 6 for making broccoli alfredo pasta: Stir in parmesan and heavy cream then serve and enjoy.

Step 5: Add cream and cheese.

Stir in the heavy cream and parmesan until smooth and creamy.

Step 6: Serve and enjoy!

Garnish with extra parmesan on top and dig in!

A close-up of two bowls of broccoli alfredo pasta.

recipe tips and variations

There are so many delicious dishes you can pair with your pasta! Here are some of my recommendations:

Cook pasta just right: Slightly undercook the pasta before adding the cream and cheese, as it will continue to cook in the sauce.
Balance the sauce: If the sauce feels too thick, add a splash of pasta water to loosen it up.
Low-carb option: Use zucchini noodles or spaghetti squash in place of traditional pasta.
Spice it up: Add a pinch of chili flakes or cracked black pepper for a subtle kick.

Frequently asked questions

How do I thicken the sauce?

The heavy cream and parmesan cheese will make the alfredo sauce nice and thick, but if you want it to be even thicker, you can stir in a cornstarch slurry.

Can I add meat to the pasta?

Yes! If you want to add some extra protein to this pasta, top it with some juicy chicken breast or even some grilled shrimp.

How do I make this dairy-free?

If you want to try making this alfredo pasta dairy-free, you'll need to swap out the milk and heavy cream for a dairy-free milk of your choice (like almond milk or soy milk), and substitute the parmesan for nutritional yeast. The pasta likely won't be as creamy, but you could definitely give it a try!

A close-up of a pot of broccoli alfredo pasta.

What to serve with this alfredo pasta

A fresh salad would be a great addition to the pasta. You can try my favourite kale salad, or this delicious arugula salad.

A side of veggies could also round out this pasta nicely! I'd give the garlic parm asparagus a try. Or, if you're looking for a crispy option, try my green bean fries, or these zucchini fries.

Storing, freezing, and reheating

Storing: Keep leftovers in the fridge for up to 5 days. For convenience, divide the pasta into individual portions and store in airtight containers.

Reheating: Reheat in a skillet on the stovetop or in the microwave for 1-2 minutes. Add a splash of water to prevent the pasta from drying out.

Freezing: This broccoli alfredo pasta freezes well! Store in freezer-safe glass containers for up to 3 months.

Reheating from frozen: Microwave straight from frozen for 6-7 minutes, stirring halfway through. Add a splash of water to maintain the creamy texture. Finish with fresh parmesan before serving.