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Dressed in a silky smooth cheese and garlic sauce, this Shrimp and Broccoli Pasta is the kind of comfort food that feels delightfully indulgent without being heavy. This is a dish that tastes fancy enough to post online, but lets you stay firmly in your rest era.
Shrimp and Broccoli Pasta
The flavors of this shrimp and broccoli pasta are divine. The perfectly seared shrimp tastes bright with lemon and butter, and it’s not one bit rubbery. And, broccoli balances it well with a tender crisp bite and its earthly, slightly bitter flavor. They both swim in a sauce that is so creamy and cheesy, you won’t believe how simple it is to make.
When you bring out a pan full of this broccoli shrimp pasta, it owns the room. It looks so elegant (and no one knows how effortless it really was). They just sit there, feasting with their eyes while impatiently waiting for someone to say the blessing. Then, they feast with their forks. When it comes to shrimp, there are never any leftovers at my house.
But, let’s be real. Let’s be so for real. Shrimp used to intimidate me. There was always that moment when you’re standing over the hot pan, tongs in hand, paralyzed by twin fears. Either I was going to undercook shellfish and make everyone sick. Or, I was going to make the kind of rubbery disaster that makes people give up on this ocean delicacy.
But, here’s the thing. Shrimp is actually forgiving if you treat it right. You don’t need to drown it in sauce or seasoning. When it turns pink and curls, that’s your cue. As simple as that, this dish can be a huge confidence builder. Cooking shrimp is achievable! Soon, it you’ll be sitting down to a dinner that tastes like living your best life.
Pasta with Shrimp and Broccoli
Let’s say it together. Limp broccoli is sad broccoli. Limp broccoli is sad broccoli. Please don’t boil your florets into depression. It really only takes 30 seconds to get them to the perfect tender crisp texture for this recipe.
Honestly, broccoli is the unsung hero in this dish. Everyone will rave about the shrimp. But, it’s all the tiny nooks and crannies in each floret that grab onto the sauce. And, please don’t skimp on the pasta portion. Carbs are self-care, ok? Your body needs them, too!
At the end of the day, this blog is a space for sharing recipes. But, it’s never just been about the food. It’s about what food represents. It’s a chance to connect. Eating a meal can be a ritual that brings me closer to the people I love. And sometimes, the person you need to connect with the most is yourself.
So, don’t hold yourself to perfection on this dish. It comes together fast. Saving time is such a big selling point, right? But, that may leave you feeling frantic the first time you make it. That’s ok. The end result looks polished, but it’s secretly friendly to those of us who are masters of chaos. And, don’t tell anyone, but a shower of freshly grated parmesan covers any mistakes.
If you’re not sure what to serve alongside this meal, allow me to suggest a sweet kale salad. The sweet flavors make for a nice balance alongside the savory pasta. And, it’s a fantastic way to use the broccoli stem. But, be warned. Once you make broccoli matchsticks, you’ll never throw the stem away again.
Creamy Shrimp Pasta
Shrimp is one of my top 5 favorite foods. And, one of the things I love about shrimp is that it goes so well with a host of different sauces. You can toss it with garlic and butter, or lemon and butter, or you can create a cheesy, creamy shrimp pasta.
You came for the broccoli and shrimp? Well, say no more. This flavorful honey garlic shrimp stir fry is exploding with vibrant crisp-tender broccoli and shrimp. Be sure to try it next! You can also make a shrimp and bell pepper stir fry that is out of this world.
If you’re looking for something creamy, try this absolutely irresistible shrimp asparagus pasta. It’s got tender pasta, shrimp, bacon, and asparagus, tossed with garlic in a creamy sauce in a deceptively easy recipe.
With perfectly tender-crisp zucchini tossed in a mouthwatering lemon garlic butter sauce, every bite of this garlic shrimp stir fry is pure shrimp-loving heaven. And, you can make it start to finish in under 15 minutes!
Creamy Shrimp and Broccoli Pasta
Ingredients
- 1 pound large raw shrimp peeled and deveined, approximately 35 count
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoons butter divided
- 2 large cloves garlic minced
- 16 ounces bucatini fettuccini, linguini, or thick spaghetti pasta
- 4 cups small broccoli florets
- 2 tablespoons flour
- 2 cups milk
- 8 ounces cream cheese
- ½ teaspoon granulated garlic or garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ cup freshly shredded Parmesan
- ¼ cup fresh Italian parsely chopped small
Instructions
- Rinse the shrimp and lay them out on a paper towel-lined tray. Pat them dry. Heat a large stainless steel pan over medium-high heat. Add the oil and when it is hot, add 1 tablespoon of butter and the garlic. Sauté the garlic for 1 minute, and when it is fragrant, add the shrimp to the pan.
- Spread the shrimp in a single layer across the pan and let it cook for 1-2 minutes, until it begins to turn color. Turn the shrimp over and cook an additional minute, just until pink. Remove from the pan when finished cooking.
- Bring a pot of water to a boil and stir in the salt. Add the pasta and cook until al dente, about 9-10 minutes. The pasta should be tender and just a little bit firm. Just before the pasta is done cooking, add the broccoli to the pot. Let the broccoli boil for about 30 seconds. Remove about half a cup of pasta water and set aside. Drain everything into a large colander.
- While the pasta is cooking, add the remaining tablespoon of butter to the skillet used for the shrimp. Sprinkle with flour, and whisk to combine. Slowly add the milk, whisking constantly. Let it simmer without boiling for a couple of minutes and then add the cream cheese. Stir to melt. Season with garlic, black pepper, and salt. Taste the sauce and adjust seasonings as desired.
- Add the pasta and broccoli to the sauce and toss to coat. Add a splash or two of the reserved pasta water, as needed to achieve the desired creaminess. Add the shrimp to the pan with the pasta, toss to combine. Serve immediately, topped with fresh parmesan and parsley.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Looks & sounds scrumptious!! I can’t wait to make this; currently out of shrimp. 😔Thank you for another gem!!