Kid, Toddler, and Adult Friendly Pasta with Broccoli and Garlic Parmesan Sauce
If you love a creamy white pasta sauce then this recipe is for you! It is a kid, toddler, and adult friendly pasta recipe that cooks in under 15 minutes and is as convenient and comforting as it can get.
This recipe was inspired by my kids love for pasta with broccoli. Plus, it comes together in a matter of minutes. Want something with more flavor? Then give my One Pot Mexican Mac and Cheese with Homemade Cheese Sauce a try.
Broccoli Pasta with Parmesan Sauce
- Ingredients
- Instructions (one pot)
- Substitutions
- Variations
- Equipment Needed
- Storage Ideas
- FAQ
- Top Tips
- Try these other pasta recipes…
- 📖 Recipe
- 💬 Community
Ingredients
A total of 8 ingredients! With an option to add spice such as Trader Joe’s Chili Oil.
- pasta
- cream/milk
- flour (only if using milk)
- fresh parmesan cheese
- bouillon cubes/paste/powder
- fresh garlic (optional)
- water
- butter
See recipe card for quantities. Add extra veggies if you like! Carrots are a great addition according to my toddler. which is another favorite vegetable of hers.
Instructions (one pot)
Boil pasta and broccoli in a pot with just water (no salt) and drain the water completely. TIP: add broccoli half way through the cooking process to keep the broccoli whole.
Add butter, cream, parmesan cheese, fresh grated garlic, and bouillon to the pot. (skip the flour and butter roux for one pot option)
Mix the contents together and let it thicken.
Serve warm.
TIP: Add extra veggies such as carrots or baby spinach.
Substitutions
- Cream - substitute with a mixture of milk + flour
- Parmesan Cheese - Substitute with Pecorino Romano or Unexpected Cheddar from Trader Joe’s
- Broccoli - Substitute with other vegetables such as carrots or asparagus
Variations
- Toddler Pasta Recipe- Use cream, butter, salt free bouillon, and no salt (no salt before 1 was my practice)
- Kid Friendly- eliminate the garlic and use cream (fats are healthy for kids brain development)
- Spicy- Add crushed red chili flakes
- Deluxe- Add baby spinach
Equipment Needed
- One large pot
- Small pot to make creamy parmesan sauce (optional)
- Grater to grate parmesan cheese and fresh garlic
- Spatula
Storage Ideas
- Refrigerate - it stores well for a few days if you like thick sauce that clings to pasta.
- Large Quantity - If making for a large gathering, I recommend making it the day of and storing it in an oven safe pan for easy warming
Mac and cheese usually has a sharp cheddar cheese included in the sauce whereas a parmesan sauce has freshly grated parmesan cheese. The two recipes are completely different because of this one ingredient.
Yes! Broccoli pasta is very kid-friendly. In fact, since this dish is made with butter and cream/milk it is a great recipe to make for kids under 2. The more fat the better for brain development
Try any of the following shapes made with flour that meets your family’s dietary needs. Brown rice, lentil, grain-free, or semolina pasta are great options. Shapes I love for this recipe include elbow macaroni, cavatappi, bowtie, rotini, or Gemelli.
Yes! Make it with heavy cream and you have a delicious sauce that pairs well with spaghetti squash. It can also be used as a dipping sauce for chicken wings and vegetables.
Pair it with some warm bread as a dipping sauce.
A low sodium version that I always recommend is by Rapunzel Brand, normally found at health food stores.
Top Tips
- When cooking for 1-2 people, or in a hurry, use the one pot method.
- Otherwise, I recommend making the sauce separately from the pasta and broccoli.
- Do not add salt to the recipe until the very end.
Try these other pasta recipes…
- Creamy Tahini Pasta
- Easy Pasta Sauce for Butternut Squash Ravioli
- The Best Spaghetti and Meatball Marinara Recipe
- Ragu Spaghetti Meat Sauce
📖 Recipe
Pasta with Broccoli and Garlic Parmesan Sauce
Ingredients1x2x3x
- ▢ 10 oz dry pasta, cooked with no salt or oil
- ▢ 3 tablespoon unsalted butter
- ▢ 1.5 cup fresh grated parmesan cheese (can buy pre-shredded)
- ▢ 3 bouillon cubes
- ▢ 1 cup cream (can substitute with milk mixed with 1 tablespoon flour) see notes
- ▢ 2 cups broccoli florets (and stems if preferred), fresh is recommended
- ▢ 4-5 cloves garlic, fresh and grated (can skip for kids)
- ▢ salt (add after a final taste test)
- ▢ water (if needed to loosen the cheese sauce)
Instructions
PASTA + BROCCOLI
- Cook the pasta with no salt or oil.
- Add the broccoli to the pasta pot the last few minutes of the cooking process. Alternatively, steam the broccoli on the side.
- Strain and set it aside or immediately mix with the garlic parmesan sauce.
GARLIC PARMESAN SAUCE
- While the pasta cooks make the cheesy garlic parmesan sauce by heating butter in a sauce pan on medium heat.
- Add the fresh garlic and cook for a few seconds. Try not to brown the garlic.
- Add the cream/milk and the bouillon. Allow it to come to a boil.
- Whisk until the bouillon is fully mixed with the cream/milk.
- Once the cream/milk reaches a boil and the bouillon is mixed in, turn off the heat.
- Add the parmesan cheese and continue to whisk until a cheese sauce has formed.
- Mix in the pasta with the cheese sauce. Combine it together and add a little bit of water if needed. I like to keep the sauce thick so it clings to the pasta.
- Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes on very low heat. Taste and add salt accordingly (if needed).
- Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
Pasta with Broccoli and Garlic Parmesan Sauce
Ingredients
- 10 oz dry pasta, cooked with no salt or oil
- 3 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1.5 cup fresh grated parmesan cheese (can buy pre-shredded)
- 3 bouillon cubes
- 1 cup cream (can substitute with milk mixed with 1 tablespoon flour) see notes
- 2 cups broccoli florets (and stems if preferred), fresh is recommended
- 4-5 cloves garlic, fresh and grated (can skip for kids)
- salt (add after a final taste test)
- water (if needed to loosen the cheese sauce)
Instructions
PASTA + BROCCOLI
- Cook the pasta with no salt or oil.
- Add the broccoli to the pasta pot the last few minutes of the cooking process. Alternatively, steam the broccoli on the side.
- Strain and set it aside or immediately mix with the garlic parmesan sauce.
GARLIC PARMESAN SAUCE
- While the pasta cooks make the cheesy garlic parmesan sauce by heating butter in a sauce pan on medium heat.
- Add the fresh garlic and cook for a few seconds. Try not to brown the garlic.
- Add the cream/milk and the bouillon. Allow it to come to a boil.
- Whisk until the bouillon is fully mixed with the cream/milk.
- Once the cream/milk reaches a boil and the bouillon is mixed in, turn off the heat.
- Add the parmesan cheese and continue to whisk until a cheese sauce has formed.
- Mix in the pasta with the cheese sauce. Combine it together and add a little bit of water if needed. I like to keep the sauce thick so it clings to the pasta.
- Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes on very low heat. Taste and add salt accordingly (if needed).
- Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
Recipe Courtesy of The Curry Mommy
Starbucks CopyCat Iced Brown Sugar Oatmilk Shaken Espresso
Homemade oat milk shaken with espresso, brown sugar syrup, and cinnamon make this delicious Starbucks drink. Trust me, homemade oatmilk makes all the difference and is worth the extra 5 minutes of labor. The quality makes a brown sugar shaken espresso taste better than Starbucks-no joke. Try it today and let me know what you think!
A spring and summer 2021 must have! With the addition of homemade milk of course. Give this Shaken Espresso with Oatmilk drink a try and let me know what you think.
How this recipe came about
Starbucks influenced me! We are still social distancing and pick up our groceries via drive up. During this process a few weeks ago, I was given a Starbucks Flyer. They got me you guys. They literally had me drooling. A few days later, I went into that Starbucks and ordered this brown sugar shaken espresso with oatmilk drink by asking for half the brown sugar (I always get half the syrup). If you are like me, you watch the barista like a hawk when they make your drink - only to learn new things really. As I watched her make it, I felt like she was a bartender making my coffee.
After my convo with her and one sip of this drink, I was convinced I had to make shaken espresso with oatmilk at home!
Other Starbucks CopyCat drinks
If you love Starbucks drinks, then be sure to give these other recipes a try. Unfortunately, I do not live around a drive thru Starbucks. After having kids my homemade copycat coffee game had to be upped. Be sure to check out the other recipes here.
Shaken Espresso Drinks
You can add different flavors to shaken espresso if you prefer to not go with brown sugar. Torani brand sells many different flavors of syrups . Buy it in bulk with different flavors, like I did over quarantine. You can also visit World Cost Plus for smaller bottles of new syrups sold in packages together. My favorites are Starbucks used Torani flavors include the following.
- hazelnut
- toffeenut
- caramel
- vanilla
- brown sugar syrup with cinnamon
Milk Allergies
I have come to realize that I am sensitive to almond milk, which is what I was drinking for years. I switched to oatmilk a while back, but with all of the additives I had to start making my own at home. If you follow me on Instagram, then you know my daughter has been playing with rolled oats for a while now. Hence, we buy in bulk just to make oatmilk! I am happy to say homemade Oat Milk has been the best thing for me in my daily routine. Recipe is linked below. Plus, with this Starbucks Brown Sugar Shaken Espresso Drink, I am even happier to have made the switch.
Homemade Oatmilk and How to Make It
I can’t stress how delicious homemade oatmilk is. Coming from someone who absolutely loves cow’s milk, this recipe compilation has been able to replace my daily milk.
If making homemade milk stresses you out, then I am here to hold your hand and walk you through this. Trust me, it is worth every sip!
Mix the raw rolled oats with warm water, vanilla, and honey. Blend for a minute or two and then strain through a cheese cloth. Refrigerate for up to 48 hours. Before using, mix the milk because separation is normal and enjoy!
How to make Starbucks “Iced Brown Sugar Oatmilk Shaken Espresso”
Make 1 shot of espresso (can double if you wish). I make the espresso shots in this coffee maker , which I absolutely love and the price point is primo! Mix the espresso with brown sugar (so it melts), a pinch of cinnamon, and then combine it with homemade oatmilk. Top it with ice and shake, or vigorously mix the contents before enjoying.
Add generous amount of ice to a cup
Cup to shake with
I have been using this cup to drink my coffee, tea, and Starbuck’s iced brown sugar oatmilk shaken espresso out of. It is easy to shake before taking a sip.
Store bought Oatmilk Recommendations
I wish I could say they taste the same when store bought. The one I drank before making it at home was Trader Joe’s unsweetened version. It has been available for a while now and can be used as an alternative.
What type of espresso taste bests?
I have been using whatever I have on hand and it tastes great with shaken espresso. If you want the Starbucks exact version, then try using Starbucks espresso. My coffee machine is able to make espresso out of any KCup, which is convenient and allows me to keep track of how much caffeine goes into my drink.
Is caffeine good for you?
What a debate this can be. When keeping coffee intake at 8oz a day, I personally have had no issues. Make a decaf version of this drink to lower the caffeine levels. If I want to keep it 100% real with you, then I want you to know that decaf coffee has a low amount of caffeine. Also, fun fact, it takes about 20 minutes for the caffeine to really take its full affect on your body. However, that first sip in the morning just wakes my soul up and splashes my face with cold water. It is much needed with mom + work + home school life… Team “GO AWAY COVID!”
Iced Brown Sugar Oatmilk Shaken Espresso Calories
Depending on how it is made this Starbucks copycat shaken espresso recipe can have a wide range. My recipe is really on the lower side resulting well under 100 calories with homemade oatmilk. Feel free to substitute keto sugar if that is what you enjoy.
Keto Sugar vs Brown Sugar
I have made this recipe with keto sugar multiple times. Although it tastes great, once you have the real deal there is no turning back. Holding back on the amount of brown sugar added can help this shaken espresso recipe feel a bit more guilt-free.
Starbucks Shaken Espresso with Oatmilk Recipe
📖 Recipe
Shaken Espresso with Oatmilk
Equipment
- ▢ shaker cup
- ▢ coffee machine to make espresso (or storebought)
Ingredients1x2x3x
- ▢ 1 shot espresso (can be doubled)
- ▢ 1 ½ cup oatmilk
- ▢ pinch cinnamon powder
- ▢ 1 tablespoon brown sugar (more or less), can use different Torani brand syrup flavors instead
- ▢ ice
Instructions
- Brew espresso directly into a cup full of brown sugar and cinnamon. This will help melt the brown sugar without any extra effort.
- Mix the brown sugar, espresso, and cinnamon powder well.
- Add a generous amount of ice to a cup.
- Pour oatmilk on top of the ice.
- Then pour the espresso mixture in the cup with the oatmilk.
- Vigorously stir or shake (if your cup allows for it).
- Enjoy!
Notes
Homemade Oatmilk
📖 Recipe
Homemade Oatmilk
Equipment
- ▢ strainer
- ▢ cheesecloth
- ▢ bowl
- ▢ Blender
- ▢ storage container for milk
Ingredients1x2x3x
- ▢ ½ cup rolled oats (adding more will give you a thicker milk)
- ▢ 2 cups warm water
- ▢ ⅛ teaspoon salt (just a pinch will do)
- ▢ 1 teaspoon honey (more or less based on preference)
- ▢ ¼ teaspoon vanilla
Instructions
- Add all of the ingredients (the rolled oats, water, vanilla, honey, and salt) in a blender.
- Blend until the mixture is smooth but still has some chunks of oats in it (about 1-2 minutes)
- Place a strainer on top of a wide bowl (or whatever you have). Then place a cheesecloth over the strainer.
- Pour the oatmilk into the strainer and allow it to seep through.
- Gently lift the sides and help the milk to strain. Squeeze as much as you can through the cheese cloth. It might get slimy and that is okay.
- Squeeze as much as you can through the cheese cloth. It might get slimy and that is okay.
- Use immediately or store in the fridge for up to two days.
- Separation will occur so be sure to stir/shake before using.
Notes
How to Make Homemade Oatmilk Step by Step Instructions
Blend the Oats
Plug in a blender
Strain the Oatmilk
Grab a bowl
