This no boil broccoli pasta bake skips the pot of boiling water, because the dry pasta cooks right in the dish while it soaks up chicken broth.
Cream cheese, cheddar, and tender broccoli turn the broth into a thick, cheesy sauce, and the cleanup is a single baking dish.
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Why This No Boil Broccoli Pasta Bake Recipe Works
Dry pasta absorbs the broth as it bakes and releases starch that thickens the sauce on its own.
A tight foil cover traps steam, so the pasta cooks evenly without drying out at the edges of the dish.
Stirring halfway and again at the end spreads the cream cheese and cheddar so the sauce turns smooth and coats every piece.
Ingredients for No Boil Broccoli Pasta Bake
- Pasta: 12 ounces dry rotini, penne, or fusilli
- Sauce base: 4 cups low sodium chicken broth, 3 tablespoons olive oil, and 2/3 cup heavy cream
- Creamy layer: about one small tub of whipped garlic and herb cream cheese and 2 cups shredded cheddar, divided
- Vegetables and seasoning: 3 cups broccoli florets, 1/2 teaspoon seasoning salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Dry pasta. Short shapes with ridges hold sauce well and cook evenly when they sit in the broth.
Chicken broth. It seasons the pasta from within and supplies all the liquid the dry pasta needs.
Whipped cream cheese. The garlic and herb flavor seasons the sauce, and the whipped texture melts in easily.
Broccoli. Small florets soften in the steam and add color and a gentle vegetable flavor.
Cheddar. Stirred in at the end, it melts into a glossy sauce that coats every piece.
How to Make No Boil Broccoli Pasta Bake
1. Heat the oven Heat the oven to 425 degrees F and have a 13 by 9 inch baking dish ready.
2. Layer the base Put the whipped cream cheese in the center of the dish, then scatter the dry pasta around it and add the broccoli.
3. Season Sprinkle half of the cheddar over everything, add the seasoning salt and pepper, and drizzle with the olive oil.
4. Add the broth Pour the chicken broth over the dish so the pasta is just covered.
5. Cover and bake Cover tightly with foil and bake for 30 minutes.
6. Stir and bake again Remove the foil, stir the pasta, cover the dish again, and bake for 30 more minutes until the pasta is tender.
7. Finish the sauce Uncover, stir in the remaining cheddar and the heavy cream until the cheese melts, then rest the dish for 5 minutes.
How to Serve No Boil Broccoli Pasta Bake
Spoon the pasta into bowls while it is hot and thick. A crisp Italian house salad balances the rich sauce, air fryer garlic bread slices scoop up the extra cheese, cucumber tomato feta salad adds freshness, and air fryer asparagus makes a quick green side. Add black pepper or red pepper flakes at the table if you like a little heat.
How to Store and Reheat No Boil Broccoli Pasta Bake
Cool the pasta bake, cover it, and refrigerate for 3 to 4 days. Add a splash of broth or milk before reheating, because the pasta keeps absorbing liquid as it sits. Warm single portions in the microwave, or a covered dish in the oven, until they reach 165 degrees F in the center. Freezing is possible, but the pasta softens, so eat it within 2 months.
Tips and Variations for No Boil Broccoli Pasta Bake
Use a tight cover. Seal the foil around the edges so steam stays in and the pasta cooks through.
Choose the right pan. A dish that fits the pasta in one layer helps it cook evenly in the broth.
Check the pasta. If it is still firm after the second bake, add a splash of hot broth and cover it for a few more minutes.
Chop the florets small. Bite sized pieces soften at the same speed as the pasta.
Flag the allergens. The dish contains milk and wheat, and some broths and seasoning salts contain soy or celery, so check every label.
Watch the salt. Low sodium broth keeps the dish balanced because cheese and seasoning salt already add plenty.
Add protein. Stir in cooked chicken or sliced sausage at the final stir to turn it into a bigger meal.
Check trusted guidance. For general advice on reheating and storing leftovers safely, read the University of Wisconsin Extension leftovers guidance.
Frequently Asked Questions About No Boil Broccoli Pasta Bake
Does no boil broccoli pasta bake really cook without boiling?
Yes. The dry pasta softens as it bakes under foil in hot broth, so it needs no separate pot.
Can I use frozen broccoli in no boil broccoli pasta bake?
Yes. Thaw it, drain it, and pat it dry so it does not add extra water to the sauce.
Can I make no boil broccoli pasta bake ahead of time?
Assemble it just before baking, because dry pasta left sitting in broth softens unevenly.
What pasta shapes work?
Rotini, penne, cellentani, and fusilli all work because their shapes hold sauce and cook evenly.
Can I use another cheese?
Yes. Mozzarella, Colby, or a blend work in place of cheddar, so use the same amount.
No Boil Broccoli Pasta Bake
Equipment
- 13 by 9 inch baking dish
- Aluminum foil
- Cutting board
- Wooden spoon
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 8 oz whipped garlic and herb cream cheese about one small tub
- ⅔ cup heavy cream
- 12 oz dry rotini or penne or fusilli
- 3 cup fresh broccoli florets chopped into bite sized pieces
- 2 cup shredded cheddar cheese divided
- ½ tsp seasoning salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 4 cup low sodium chicken broth
Instructions
Cooking
- Heat. Heat the oven to 425 degrees F and set out a 13 by 9 inch dish.
- Assemble. Place the whipped cream cheese in the middle of the dish, surround it with the dry pasta, and add the broccoli.
- Season. Add half the cheddar, the seasoning salt, and the pepper, then drizzle with the oil and pour in the broth.
- Bake covered. Cover tightly with foil, bake 30 minutes, stir, cover again, and bake 30 more minutes.
- Finish. Stir in the remaining cheddar and the heavy cream until melted.
- Rest. Let the dish stand for 5 minutes, then serve.
