Broccoli and white bean pasta bake
Short penne and broccoli baked in a blended white-bean sauce with plain soy milk, nutritional yeast and garlic.
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Penne and broccoli bake in a smooth sauce made from white beans, plain soy milk and nutritional yeast. The beans give the sauce body, and a short covered bake keeps the pasta moist while the center heats. Divide the dish into four main-meal portions.
Blend the beans into a smooth sauce
Measure the white beans after rinsing and draining. Excess can liquid changes the sauce consistency, so leave them in the colander while chopping the broccoli. Soft cannellini beans are easy to blend; home-cooked beans should crush readily when pressed with a fork.
Blend the beans with the measured soy milk and seasonings before combining them with the pasta. Scrape the blender walls to catch any beans above the blades. The sauce should be smooth and thick at this stage. The reserved cooking water is stirred in later, outside the blender, to loosen it around the pasta.
Choose plain unsweetened soy milk. A vanilla-flavored drink carries that flavor into the bake. Health Canada includes beans and soy foods among protein choices. Here, blending them also makes a substantial sauce without buying a separate plant-based cream.
Stop the pasta short of its final texture
Weigh the penne dry and use its own package timing. Shapes and brands cook at different rates, so stopping two minutes before the stated al-dente time gives a clearer starting point than using one fixed boiling time. The pasta finishes cooking in the sauce. Keep the boiling water unsalted; the measured salt goes into the sauce.
Cut the broccoli into small florets and add it during the last two minutes of the pasta’s boiling time. Thick stem pieces should be sliced smaller. Drain promptly after reserving the measured water; leaving everything in the hot water continues the cooking before the dish reaches the oven.
Toss the warm pasta and broccoli with the sauce straight away. Spread the mixture evenly in the dish, including the corners. Foil limits drying during the first part of baking. Removing it for the final ten minutes lets the surface settle without needing breadcrumbs or a cheese topping.
Check the middle and portion the leftovers
Gently bubbling edges can appear before the center is hot enough. FoodSafety.gov gives 74°C / 165°F for meatless casseroles. Check the middle with a food thermometer, then allow the short rest before serving. Expect a spoonable pasta bake with sauce coating each piece.
Divide leftovers into shallow containers instead of refrigerating the whole deep dish. Follow Health Canada’s leftover guidance: refrigerate within two hours and use within three days. Cover portions for reheating to reduce drying, and heat only what you plan to eat. The card gives the center-temperature target for reheating.
Broccoli and white bean pasta bake
Short penne and broccoli baked in a blended white-bean sauce with plain soy milk, nutritional yeast and garlic.
- Prep
- 15 min
- Cook
- 45 min
- Rest / soak
- 5 min
- Total
- 65 min
- Makes
- 4 servings
One original serving: one quarter of the pasta bake
Household amounts use US cups and spoons and are approximate. Choose Metric for the weights used in cost and nutrition estimates. About ingredient measures.
Equipment: Large pot, at least 5 L, Colander, Blender, 23 x 33 cm / 9 x 13-inch baking dish, about 3 L, Foil, Food thermometer
Equipment
Large pot, at least 5 L, Colander, Blender, 23 x 33 cm / 9 x 13-inch baking dish, about 3 L, Foil, Food thermometer
Ingredients
Instructions
Storage & reheating
Refrigerate portions in shallow containers within 2 hours; keep at 4°C / 40°F or below and use within 3 days. Reheat only the portion needed until its center reaches 74°C / 165°F, checked with a thermometer. Cover during reheating to keep the sauce moist.
Substitutions
- Use another soft cooked white bean at the same drained weight; firmer beans may need longer blending.
- Use another short regular wheat pasta, following its package timing. Protein-enriched, gluten-free or whole-wheat pasta changes the texture and estimates.
Cooking notes
- Keep soy milk plain and unsweetened, and check pasta labels for egg.
- When doubling, use two dishes of similar depth rather than one deeper dish; allow extra boiling and baking time.
Contains: soy, wheat. Check the labels of your ingredients.
Estimated nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 480 kcal
- Protein
- 24.9 g
- Carbohydrates
- 85.3 g
- Fat
- 7.5 g
- Saturated fat
- 0.9 g
- Fiber
- 15.8 g
- Sugars
- 4.9 g
- Sodium
- 535 mg
For one original serving, excluding optional ingredients and suggested sides. How we estimate nutrition.
Ingredient nutrition sources
Estimates use the required ingredient weights above and these food references. Brands, water content, and label rounding can change the result.
- regular dry wheat penne: Barilla plain Penne Pasta retailer label per 56 g dry serving; all eight tracked nutrients observed. This is regular semolina pasta, not a protein-enriched blend. Values normalized to 100 g; sodium in mg, other nutrients in g except kcal energy. Retailer figures and label rounding are estimates. Accessed 2026-10-28.
- cooked white beans, rinsed and drained: Tesco Cannellini Beans in Water, label per 100 g as sold, drained. UK available carbohydrate 11.6 g, fibre 5.8 g, salt 0.04 g, saturates <0.1 g; other values are the directly observed panel. This is a UK retailer food label reference, not a USDA record or a UK price converted to USD/CAD. Accessed 2026-10-28.
- broccoli florets, cut into roughly 2 cm pieces: USDA SR Legacy April 2018 CSV: Broccoli, raw. Nutrient values from food_nutrient.csv joined through nutrient.csv; kcal energy, grams nutrient masses, and mg sodium per 100 g edible portion. Accessed 2026-10-28.
- plain unsweetened soy milk: Silk Unsweet Soymilk US manufacturer Nutrition Facts panel per 240 mL: 90 kcal, 8 g protein, 4 g carbohydrate, 4.5 g fat, 0.5 g saturated fat, 2 g fibre, 1 g sugars, 70 mg sodium. Panel energy is 90 kcal while page prose says 80 kcal; the numeric panel is used. The label supplies volume, so nutrition per 100 g is an estimated mass normalization. Accessed 2026-10-28.
- nutritional yeast flakes: Bob's Red Mill Nutritional Yeast, fortified dry flakes; use printed sodium amount 15 mg rather than inconsistent website DV; label values per 8 g, normalized to 100 g; sodium in mg, other nutrients in g except kcal energy. Label rounding retained as estimates. Accessed 2026-10-28.
- olive oil, divided: Flora Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil retailer reference explicitly states 14 g of oil per serving. Panel: 120 kcal, 14 g fat, 2 g saturated fat; protein, carbohydrate, fibre, sugars and sodium explicitly 0. Values normalized to 100 g; label rounding retained. Accessed 2026-10-28.
- lemon juice: USDA SR Legacy April 2018 CSV: Lemon juice, raw. Nutrient values from food_nutrient.csv joined through nutrient.csv; kcal energy, grams nutrient masses, and mg sodium per 100 g edible portion. Accessed 2026-10-28.
- garlic powder: USDA SR Legacy: Spices, garlic powder. All eight tracked fields were read directly from official food_nutrient.csv per 100 g edible food; sodium mg, other nutrients g except energy kcal. Generic food estimates vary by variety and preparation. Accessed 2026-10-28.
- fine salt: Hain Sea Salt retailer panel per 1.5 g quarter-teaspoon: 590 mg sodium; calories, protein, carbohydrate, fat, saturated fat, fibre and sugars explicitly 0. Measure fine salt by mass; teaspoon weight varies with crystal size. Accessed 2026-10-28.
- ground black pepper: USDA SR Legacy: Spices, pepper, black. All eight tracked fields were read directly from official food_nutrient.csv per 100 g edible food; sodium mg, other nutrients g except energy kcal. Generic food estimates vary by variety and preparation. Accessed 2026-10-28.
- unsalted water for boiling pasta and broccoli: Aquafina purified water retailer panel explicitly lists all eight tracked nutrients as 0 per 500 mL. Zero quantities remain 0 independently of volume-to-mass scaling. This purified-water reference is not a measurement of every municipal supply. Water cost is excluded as a utility; no bottled-water price is used. Accessed 2026-10-28.
Ingredient cost breakdown
Estimated cost of the amount used; optional extras are separate.
| Ingredient | USD | CAD |
|---|---|---|
| regular dry wheat penne | $1.07 | $0.72 |
| cooked white beans, rinsed and drained | $1.62 | $2.07 |
| broccoli florets, cut into roughly 2 cm pieces | $2.90 | $4.67 |
| plain unsweetened soy milk | $0.97 | $0.95 |
| nutritional yeast flakes | $0.73 | $1.41 |
| olive oil, divided | $0.18 | $0.16 |
| lemon juice | $0.04 | $0.05 |
| garlic powder | $0.04 | $0.04 |
| fine salt | $0.01 | $0.01 |
| ground black pepper | $0.02 | $0.01 |
| unsalted water for boiling pasta and broccoli | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Recipe total | $7.57 | $10.09 |
| Per serving | $1.89 | $2.52 |
Price reference: 2026-10-27. Price reference: 2026-10-27. Regional prices vary. Pantry ingredients included; taxes, delivery, and utilities excluded.
Price sources & package sizes
United States · USD
- regular dry wheat penne: Walmart US, United States online listing; retailer default context, checkout not verified; $1.74 / 453.59237g. Price source (observed 2026-10-28). Avoirdupois ounces converted using 28.349523125 g per oz. Whole wheat dry pasta is the regional price reference for generic dry pasta; recipes and nutrition may use another wheat pasta shape.
- cooked white beans, rinsed and drained: Walmart US, US online listing; store not stated in captured result; $0.92 / 283.49523125g. Price source (observed 2026-10-28). Net ounces are converted at 28.349523125 g per ounce before the separate drained-yield adjustment. USDA Food Buying Guide: 15.5 oz purchased canned kidney beans yields about 10 oz drained, unheated beans. The kidney-bean yield is an estimate for the white kidney/cannellini variety, not a measured yield for this brand. Nutrition uses a separately identified cooked/drained reference; sodium and water content vary with brand and rinsing. No unmeasured sodium reduction for rinsing is applied.
- broccoli florets, cut into roughly 2 cm pieces: Walmart US, US online listing; store not independently selected; $2.47 / 340.194g. Price source (observed 2026-10-27). 12 oz = 340.194 g; fresh pre-cut florets, so no whole-head trimming adjustment.
- plain unsweetened soy milk: Walmart US, South Hill Supercenter page context; state not captured; $4.57 / 1892.705892g. Price source (observed 2026-10-28). Package mass is estimated at 1 g/mL for soy milk; the retailer label supplies volume, not measured grams. US fluid ounces converted at 29.5735295625 mL per fl oz.
- nutritional yeast flakes: Walmart US, United States online listing; retailer default context, checkout not verified; $5.17 / 141.747615625g. Price source (observed 2026-10-28). Avoirdupois ounces converted using 28.349523125 g per oz. Product described by retailer as suitable for vegetarians and vegans.
- olive oil, divided: Walmart US, US online listing; store not stated in captured result; $5.94 / 469.23333572g. Price source (observed 2026-10-28). Package mass is estimated from the olive-oil label reference of 14 g per 15 mL (0.933333 g/mL); retailer package quantity is volume, not measured mass. US fluid ounces converted at 29.5735295625 mL per fl oz.
- lemon juice: Walmart US, South Hill Supercenter (retailer listing context); $2.24 / 946.352946g. Price source (observed 2026-10-27). 32 US fl oz = 946.352946 mL. Density assumed 1 g/mL for costing only; not a measured density. Bottled reconstituted juice reference; freshly squeezed juice may cost more.
- garlic powder: Walmart US, US online listing; store not independently selected; $1.13 / 96.38837863g. Price source (observed 2026-10-28). Net avoirdupois ounces converted at exactly 28.349523125 g per ounce.
- fine salt: Walmart US, Sacramento Gerber Rd Supercenter, California page context; $0.94 / 737g. Price source (observed 2026-10-28).
- ground black pepper: Walmart US, US online listing; store not independently selected; $3.58 / 85.04856937g. Price source (observed 2026-10-28). Net avoirdupois ounces converted at exactly 28.349523125 g per ounce.
Canada · CAD
- regular dry wheat penne: Walmart Canada, Canada online listing; retailer default context, checkout not verified; $0.97 / 375g. Price source (observed 2026-10-28). Whole wheat dry pasta is the regional price reference for generic dry pasta. Retailer ingredients: whole grain whole wheat semolina. May-contain milk and egg warning is cross-contact, not a listed ingredient.
- cooked white beans, rinsed and drained: Walmart Canada, Canada online listing; store not stated in captured result; $1.44 / 348.38709677g. Price source (observed 2026-10-28). The volume-labelled Canadian can's gross contents mass is estimated at 1 g/mL before the separate drained-yield adjustment; neither this density nor the resulting drained mass was measured by the retailer. USDA Food Buying Guide: 15.5 oz purchased canned kidney beans yields about 10 oz drained, unheated beans. The kidney-bean yield is an estimate for the white kidney/cannellini variety, not a measured yield for this brand. Nutrition uses a separately identified cooked/drained reference; sodium and water content vary with brand and rinsing. No unmeasured sodium reduction for rinsing is applied.
- broccoli florets, cut into roughly 2 cm pieces: Walmart Canada, Canada online listing; retailer default context, checkout not verified; $3.97 / 340g. Price source (observed 2026-10-27). Fresh pre-cut florets; no whole-head trimming adjustment.
- plain unsweetened soy milk: Save-On-Foods, Canada online listing; store not stated in captured result; $4.49 / 1890g. Price source (observed 2026-10-28). Package mass is estimated at 1 g/mL for soy milk; the retailer label supplies volume, not measured grams.
- nutritional yeast flakes: Metro Canada, Canada online listing; retailer default context, checkout not verified; $9.99 / 142g. Price source (observed 2026-10-28). Retailer ingredient list: inactive nutritional yeast (dried yeast, vitamin B12). No currency conversion.
- olive oil, divided: Walmart Canada, Mississauga Heartland, Ontario; L5V 2N6 page context; $10.97 / 933.33333333g. Price source (observed 2026-10-28). Package mass is estimated from the olive-oil label reference of 14 g per 15 mL (0.933333 g/mL); retailer package quantity is volume, not measured mass.
- lemon juice: Walmart Canada, Canada online listing; retailer default context, checkout not verified; $2.88 / 946g. Price source (observed 2026-10-27). 946 mL bottle; density assumed 1 g/mL for costing only. Bottled reconstituted juice reference, not freshly squeezed. Retrieved listing showed out of stock; price is a reference snapshot, not availability or checkout verification.
- garlic powder: Walmart Canada, Canada online listing; store not independently selected; $3.97 / 320g. Price source (observed 2026-10-28).
- fine salt: Walmart Canada, Mississauga Heartland, Ontario; L5V 2N6 page context; $1.63 / 1000g. Price source (observed 2026-10-28).
- ground black pepper: Walmart Canada, Canada online listing; store not independently selected; $2.27 / 85g. Price source (observed 2026-10-28).
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