Broccoli Cream Pasta

Fussy hubby who doesn't like cream or mushrooms enjoyed this. I think I'm onto a winner! I didn't have any tomato paste so used pizza sauce, and I added bacon.  -  23 Nov 2015

I've made this so many times since my original review I decided to up date. I have been making it a bit differently now too. I usually use bow tie or whole wheat penne pasta. I boil it, and when it's about half/1/4 done I add the broccoli. In a seperate sauce pan (while the water and pasta boil) I sautee about 1-2 tsp jarred garlic in butter until it starts to smell sweet. I then add mushrooms(about 8 oz)and sautee them with a about 1 TBS of white wine. I then add the cream (lately though I've been using fat free half and half and if needed thicken it with a bit of corn starch) and some basil. I then add the tomato sauce (one small can) and freshly ground pepper and salt. I let the sauce simmer covered until the pasta and broccoli are done, then add the sauce to the drained pasta and broccoli. It is a bit more work, but I like having the sautee'd mushrooms and letting the flavors meld together in the sauce. I serve it topped with parm cheese.  -  16 Apr 2004  (Review from Allrecipes USA and Canada)

I just attended a cooking class taught by the owner of a local Italian restaurant who made this exact same dish - excellent! I used more tomato sauce and more parmesan to thicken the sauce like the chef did. (Add parmesan gradually to prevent clumping). He also used tubular pasta. I would like to find a way to make this lower in fat. Update: After making this several times, here are the changes I recommend: 1) double the recipe 2) add an entire small can of tomato sauce 3) add sliced red peppers - gives it a "restaurant style" appearance. 4) use penne pasta (tubes) 5) to make lower in fat, use half-and-half w/ a little cornstarch.  -  26 Jul 2002  (Review from Allrecipes USA and Canada)