Creamy Broccoli Pasta Bake
Creamy Broccoli Pasta Bake is a comforting, oven-baked casserole that combines pasta florets with broccoli in a rich, creamy cheese sauce. It typically features ingredients like penne or fusilli, fresh broccoli, a béchamel or cream-based sauce, and a blend of cheeses such as cheddar or mozzarella. This dish is a popular home-style meal in many Western countries, particularly in the United States and the United Kingdom.
🍽️ Nutrition at a glance
This dish is generally high in carbohydrates from the pasta and in fat from the creamy cheese sauce, with a moderate amount of protein from the cheese and any added chicken. It provides key nutrients like calcium, vitamin C, and vitamin K from the broccoli and dairy, with a rough calorie ballpark of 450-550 kcal per typical serving.
Nutrition breakdown
| Calories | 480 kcal |
| Protein | 18 g |
| Carbs | 45 g |
| Fat | 26 g |
| Fiber | 4 g |
| Sugar | 5 g |
| Sodium | 680 mg |
| Calcium | 300 mg |
| Vitamin C | 45 mg |
| Vitamin K | 70 mcg |
| Vitamin A | 300 mcg |
| Potassium | 350 mg |
| Phosphorus | 250 mg |
| Folate | 60 mcg |
| Iron | 2.5 mg |
Per 1 cup (240 g) · estimated, varies by recipe
💡 What's interesting
Culturally, it represents a classic 'comfort food' that transforms simple ingredients into a hearty, shareable meal. Nutritionally, the broccoli adds a valuable dose of fiber and antioxidants to an otherwise indulgent, creamy base.
