Creamy Baked Ziti with Broccoli

Embrace the ultimate comfort food with this Creamy Baked Ziti with Broccoli, a luscious blend of tender pasta, vibrant broccoli, and a velvety garlic-infused cheese sauce. Perfectly baked to golden, bubbly perfection, this dish combines the hearty flavors of ziti and the wholesome goodness of broccoli, all smothered in a rich mixture of Parmesan and mozzarella cheeses. The homemade cream sauce, infused with fragrant garlic and a hint of optional red pepper flakes, takes this baked pasta to the next level, offering a restaurant-quality taste right from your kitchen. It's quick to prepare, ready in just 50 minutes, and ideal for feeding a family or impressing guests. Garnished with fresh basil leaves, this vegetarian dinner is as visually appealing as it is satisfying. Whether it's a cozy weeknight meal or the centerpiece of your Sunday dinner table, this baked ziti recipe is guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser!

Nutriscore Rating: 63/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:35 mins

Total Time:50 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 12 ounces ziti pasta
• 3 cups broccoli florets
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 3 units garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2.5 cups milk
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 0.25 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
• 2 tablespoons fresh basil leaves, chopped

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with nonstick spray or a bit of olive oil.

Step 2

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the ziti pasta until al dente according to the package instructions. Add the broccoli florets to the pasta pot during the last 2 minutes of cooking. Drain and set aside.

Step 3

In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.

Step 4

Sprinkle the flour over the garlic and whisk continuously for 1 minute to form a roux.

Step 5

Gradually pour in the milk and heavy cream while whisking constantly to avoid lumps. Cook for 3-4 minutes until the sauce begins to thicken.

Step 6

Stir in the Parmesan cheese, 1 cup of mozzarella cheese, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using). Continue stirring until the cheese is fully melted and the sauce is creamy.

Step 7

Remove the skillet from heat and toss the cooked ziti and broccoli with the sauce until well coated.

Step 8

Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish and spread it out evenly.

Step 9

Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of mozzarella cheese over the top of the pasta.

Step 10

Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden.

Step 11

Remove from the oven and let cool for 5 minutes. Garnish with fresh basil before serving.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1833.5g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3767.9

Total Fat 199.7g	0%
Saturated Fat 104.3g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 3.1g
Cholesterol 535.5mg	0%
Sodium 5652.8mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 320.9g	0%
Dietary Fiber 25.9g	0%
Total Sugars 45.2g
Protein 163.4g	0%

Vitamin D 268.4IU	0%
Calcium 3473.5mg	0%
Iron 16.0mg	0%
Potassium 1029.7mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 48.1%

Protein: 17.5%

Carbs: 34.4%