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!
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Recipe Information
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
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with nonstick spray or a bit of olive oil.
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.
In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
Sprinkle the flour over the garlic and whisk continuously for 1 minute to form a roux.
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.
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.
Remove the skillet from heat and toss the cooked ziti and broccoli with the sauce until well coated.
Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish and spread it out evenly.
Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of mozzarella cheese over the top of the pasta.
Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
Remove from the oven and let cool for 5 minutes. Garnish with fresh basil before serving.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
524 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 33.7 g | 43% | |
| Saturated Fat | 18.1 g | 90% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 90 mg | 30% | |
| Sodium | 877 mg | 38% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 29.1 g | 11% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 2.5 g | 9% | |
| Total Sugars | 6.1 g | ||
| Protein | 23.6 g | 47% | |
| Vitamin D | 1.3 mcg | 6% | |
| Calcium | 561 mg | 43% | |
| Iron | 0.9 mg | 5% | |
| Potassium | 188 mg | 4% | |
*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.
