8ouncespenne pastaor other short pasta noodle, uncooked
4cupsbroccoli florets
2tablespoonsunsalted butter
2tablespoonsall-purpose flour
2tablespoonsgarlic clovesminced or pressed
1teaspoonkosher salt
½teaspoondried basil
½teaspoondried oregano
1cupheavy cream
1cuplow-sodium chicken broth
1cupGruyere cheeseor mozzarella, shredded off the block and divided
1cupparmesan cheeseshredded off the block and divided
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 350°F, and lightly grease a 2.5 quart baking dish. Set aside.
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, and cook the pasta for 5-6 minutes. Add the broccoli florets and cook for an additional 1 minute. The pasta should be al dente, and the broccoli should be lightly blanched.
8 ounces penne pasta, 4 cups broccoli florets
Drain the pasta and broccoli, rinse under cold water, drain again, and set aside. In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the butter. Whisk in the flour, and cook for 2-3 minutes. Then, add the garlic, salt, basil, and oregano, and whisk to combine.
Adjust the heat to low. While continuing to whisk, slowly pour in the heavy cream and broth. Continue whisking until wisps of steam begin to rise from the liquid. Then, add ½ cup of Gruyere and ½ cup of Parmesan cheese a little at a time, whisking between each addition until the cheese is melted. Remove from heat.
1 cup heavy cream, 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
Transfer the pasta, broccoli, and sauce to the prepared baking dish. Stir to combine. Top with the remaining ½ cup of Gruyere and ½ cup of Parmesan cheese. Bake uncovered for 20-25 minutes or until the cheese is golden brown and the sauce is bubbling around the edges.
Remove from the oven and allow to cool for 10 minutes before serving. See post for storage options.
Notes
*The calories listed are an approximation based on the ingredients in the recipe card and a serving size of 1.25 cups of pasta bake. Actual calories will vary.*For more information, tips, and answers to frequently asked questions, please refer to the post.*We used cheese shredded of the block not pre-shredded, bagged cheese.