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One-Pot Broccoli Ricotta Pasta

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Get your greens in with this perfectly nourishing dinner recipe for the whole family! My 10 month old baby was JUST as into it as my husband. Best part? It all comes together in one pot so clean up is a breeze! Spice up the adult servings with a dash of chili flakes and extra olive oil.

One-Pot Broccoli Ricotta Pasta: Creamy, Fresh, and Effortless

Looking for a quick and delicious dinner that’s fresh, creamy, and packed with veggies? This one-pot broccoli ricotta  pasta is exactly what you need. It’s an easy, flavorful meal that comes together in just one pot, making cleanup a breeze while delivering bright, comforting flavors everyone will love.

Perfect for busy weeknights, this dish combines tender pasta, vibrant broccoli, zesty lemon, and creamy ricotta cheese for a luscious sauce that feels indulgent but is surprisingly light and fresh.

Why You’ll Love One-Pot Broccoli Ricotta Pasta

The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity and speed. By cooking everything in one pot, the pasta absorbs all the flavors from the lemon juice, garlic, and broccoli, while the ricotta cheese melts into a silky, creamy sauce. This creates a deliciously balanced dish that’s both nourishing and satisfying.

This recipe is perfect for those who want a healthy meal that doesn’t skimp on flavor or texture. The broccoli adds a fresh crunch and a boost of nutrients, while the lemon brightens every bite with refreshing citrus notes.

Simple Ingredients for a Flavor-Packed Meal

You only need a handful of pantry staples and fresh ingredients to make this creamy pasta. The key components are pasta (such as penne, rigatoni, or shells), fresh broccoli florets, ricotta cheese, garlic, lemon juice and zest, olive oil, and Parmesan cheese for extra umami richness.

Using fresh lemon juice is essential to bring that bright, tangy flavor that perfectly balances the creamy ricotta. Freshly grated Parmesan adds a savory depth, rounding out the dish.

How to Make One-Pot Broccoli Ricotta Pasta

Start by boiling a large pot of water and cooking the pasta. Then add broccoli and peas a few minutes before the pasta is done. Drain pasta water (making sure to reserve a little) and then stir in ricotta and lemon juice. So easy!

Tips for the Best One-Pot Broccoli Ricotta Pasta

  • Use a sturdy pasta shape like penne or rigatoni that holds sauce well.

  • Don’t overcook the broccoli; it should be tender-crisp to keep some bite.

  • Use fresh lemon juice and zest for the brightest flavor.

  • Stir in ricotta off the heat to avoid curdling and keep it silky smooth.

  • Add red pepper flakes if you want a little heat.

A Healthy, Quick, and Comforting Dinner

This one-pot broccoli ricotta pasta is a perfect balance of creamy, tangy, and fresh flavors, making it an ideal weeknight dinner that feels special but is incredibly simple to make.

Give this recipe a try for a healthy, comforting pasta dish that your whole family will enjoy — all made in one pot for easy cleanup and minimal fuss!

How To Make One-Pot Broccoli Ricotta Pasta

The Ingredients

  • Short noodles
    Pasta shapes like penne, rigatoni, or shells work great here because they hold the sauce well and cook evenly in one pot.
    Substitutes: Fusilli, farfalle, macaroni, or gluten-free pasta for those with dietary restrictions.

  • Broccoli
    Fresh broccoli florets add a vibrant green color, crunch, and a boost of vitamins and fiber.
    Substitutes: Asparagus, green beans, zucchini, or frozen broccoli florets if fresh aren’t available.

  • Frozen peas
    Sweet and tender, peas add a pop of color and subtle sweetness to balance the savory flavors.
    Substitutes: Fresh peas, edamame, or green beans.

  • Ricotta cheese
    Creamy and mild, ricotta creates a luscious, silky texture that binds the pasta and veggies together.
    Substitutes: Cottage cheese (blended for smoothness), mascarpone, cream cheese, or a dairy-free ricotta alternative.

  • Parmesan cheese
    Adds sharp, salty umami flavor and enhances the creaminess of the dish.
    Substitutes: Pecorino Romano, Asiago, Grana Padano, or nutritional yeast for a vegan option.

  • Lemon
    Both the juice and zest bring bright, fresh acidity that balances the richness of the cheese and adds a refreshing note.
    Substitutes: Lime juice and zest, or a splash of white wine vinegar for acidity.

  • Pasta water
    The starchy water left from cooking pasta helps to thicken and bind the sauce, making it silky and smooth.
    Substitutes: Vegetable or chicken broth, or water with a pinch of cornstarch for thickening.

What You Need

The Steps

  • Bring a large pot of water to a boil; add salt
  • While you're waiting, chop the broccoli into small florets
  • Add noodles to boiling water and cook as per package instructions
  • When there are 2 minutes remaining for the noodles, add broccoli and frozen peas directly into the pot
  • Scoop out ½ cup of pasta water and set aside
  • Drain noodles and veggies using a strainer and add back into the pot
  • Add ricotta, parmesan, juice of one lemon, and reserved pasta water
  • Stir everything until a smooth consistency is formed
  • Serve immediately and season to taste

Recipe Tips

 

One-Pot Broccoli Ricotta Pasta

Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 6 servings

Ingredients

  • 1 box short noodle pasta
  • 1 head broccoli
  • 1 cup frozen peas
  • ½ cup ricotta cheese
  • ⅓ cup parmesan cheese
  • 1 lemon
  • ½ cup reserved pasta water
  • Salt pepper, and chili flakes (optional) to taste

Instructions

  • Bring a large pot of water to a boil; add salt
  • While you're waiting, chop the broccoli into small florets
  • Add noodles to boiling water and cook as per package instructions
  • When there are 2 minutes remaining for the noodles, add broccoli and frozen peas directly into the pot
  • Scoop out ½ cup of pasta water and set aside
  • Drain noodles and veggies using a strainer and add back into the pot
  • Add ricotta, parmesan, juice of one lemon, and reserved pasta water
  • Stir everything until a smooth consistency is formed
  • Serve immediately and season to taste

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Meet Ivanka

Recipe creator, toddler mama & wellness enthusiast. Happy&Full is a blog all about quick and easy recipes for every day living! Eating well (and feeling well) doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive.

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