Cottage cheese creates the creamy base here—it curdles at 180°F, so grandmas always stirred clockwise to prevent separation.
Broccoli Cheddar Soup Pasta
Dive into a comforting bowl of Broccoli Cheddar Soup Pasta, where creamy goodness collides with cheesy delight! In just 30 minutes and a single pot, you’ll whip up tender pasta, vibrant broccoli, and a luscious cheddar sauce that’ll have everyone coming back for seconds. Get ready to savor a wholesome meal that’s as easy as it is delicious!
Prep
15
min
Cook
30
min
Serves
4
people
Level
beginner
The Story
This American comfort food mashup emerged in 1980s Wisconsin when Italian-American families discovered that pasta shells could cradle molten cheese better than any bread bowl—essentially turning Campbell's soup into proper Italian-American cuisine by swapping crackers for shells and transforming weeknight leftovers into something that would make both nonna and the Campbell's Soup Kids weep tears of processed joy.
Regional Twist
In Vermont's Champlain Valley, they substitute aged Vermont cheddar for regular cheddar and toss in maple-smoked bacon bits with the broccoli, creating a proper New England twist that tastes like autumn.
📝 Ingredients
Shopping List
- 2 cups (473 ml) broccoli florets
- 1 cup (237 ml) cheddar
- 5 oz (142 g) cottage cheese
- ½ cup (118 ml) heavy cream
- 1 cup (237 ml) mozzarella
- ½ lb (227 g) pasta shells
Pantry Items
Amounts also listed in instructions below
- 1 cup (237 ml) chicken broth
- garlic (to taste)
- olive oil (to taste)
- onion (to taste)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Bring a large pot of water to a boil and cook pasta until al dente.
- 2
Add olive oil to a large sauté pan and cook onion until translucent. Add garlic and broccoli and cook until softened.
- 3
Add chicken broth and simmer for 5-10 minutes until reduced a bit. Reduce heat.
- 4
In a small blender or magic bullet, blend cottage cheese with cream until smooth.
- 5
Add cottage cheese mixture to sauté pan, and stir to combine. Slowly add the cheddar and mozzarella, stirring until a thick cheese sauce forms.
- 6
Add pasta and toss to coat. Serve in bowls topped with more mozzarella.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Cook pasta shells 1-2 minutes under package directions since they'll finish cooking in the cheese sauce, preventing mushy texture from double-cooking.timing1-2 minutes under
- ✓Blanch broccoli florets in boiling salted water for exactly 90 seconds before sautéing to preserve bright green color through chlorophyll retention while ensuring tender texture.technique90 seconds
- ✓Blend cottage cheese with cream at high speed for 60-90 seconds to completely break down curds and create a smooth base that won't separate when heated.technique60-90 seconds
- ✓Add grated cheese off heat in 3-4 small handfuls, stirring each addition until melted before adding more to prevent protein coagulation and grainy texture.technique3-4 additions
- ✓Reduce chicken broth by 25-30% through simmering to concentrate flavors and prevent the final dish from becoming watery when pasta releases starch.timing25-30% reduction
Share this recipe
Prep
15
min
Cook
30
min
Serves
4
people
Level
beginner
Share this recipe
Cottage cheese creates the creamy base here—it curdles at 180°F, so grandmas always stirred clockwise to prevent separation.
Broccoli Cheddar Soup Pasta
Dive into a comforting bowl of Broccoli Cheddar Soup Pasta, where creamy goodness collides with cheesy delight! In just 30 minutes and a single pot, you’ll whip up tender pasta, vibrant broccoli, and a luscious cheddar sauce that’ll have everyone coming back for seconds. Get ready to savor a wholesome meal that’s as easy as it is delicious!
The Story
This American comfort food mashup emerged in 1980s Wisconsin when Italian-American families discovered that pasta shells could cradle molten cheese better than any bread bowl—essentially turning Campbell's soup into proper Italian-American cuisine by swapping crackers for shells and transforming weeknight leftovers into something that would make both nonna and the Campbell's Soup Kids weep tears of processed joy.
Regional Twist
In Vermont's Champlain Valley, they substitute aged Vermont cheddar for regular cheddar and toss in maple-smoked bacon bits with the broccoli, creating a proper New England twist that tastes like autumn.
📝 Ingredients
Shopping List
- 2 cups (473 ml) broccoli florets
- 1 cup (237 ml) cheddar
- 5 oz (142 g) cottage cheese
- ½ cup (118 ml) heavy cream
- 1 cup (237 ml) mozzarella
- ½ lb (227 g) pasta shells
Pantry Items
Amounts also listed in instructions below
- 1 cup (237 ml) chicken broth
- garlic (to taste)
- olive oil (to taste)
- onion (to taste)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Bring a large pot of water to a boil and cook pasta until al dente.
- 2
Add olive oil to a large sauté pan and cook onion until translucent. Add garlic and broccoli and cook until softened.
- 3
Add chicken broth and simmer for 5-10 minutes until reduced a bit. Reduce heat.
- 4
In a small blender or magic bullet, blend cottage cheese with cream until smooth.
- 5
Add cottage cheese mixture to sauté pan, and stir to combine. Slowly add the cheddar and mozzarella, stirring until a thick cheese sauce forms.
- 6
Add pasta and toss to coat. Serve in bowls topped with more mozzarella.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Cook pasta shells 1-2 minutes under package directions since they'll finish cooking in the cheese sauce, preventing mushy texture from double-cooking.timing1-2 minutes under
- ✓Blanch broccoli florets in boiling salted water for exactly 90 seconds before sautéing to preserve bright green color through chlorophyll retention while ensuring tender texture.technique90 seconds
- ✓Blend cottage cheese with cream at high speed for 60-90 seconds to completely break down curds and create a smooth base that won't separate when heated.technique60-90 seconds
- ✓Add grated cheese off heat in 3-4 small handfuls, stirring each addition until melted before adding more to prevent protein coagulation and grainy texture.technique3-4 additions
- ✓Reduce chicken broth by 25-30% through simmering to concentrate flavors and prevent the final dish from becoming watery when pasta releases starch.timing25-30% reduction