Creamy Shrimp and Broccoli Pasta

A metal fork has twirled a bite of pasta from the ceramic plate full of shrimp and broccoli pasta. The fork handle proceeds from the center of the image toward the top right corner. A wooden tabletop is visible beneath the plate.

Creamy Shrimp and Broccoli Pasta

Discover why shrimp and broccoli pasta with a creamy garlicky sauce is the elegant, easy dinner that everyone is obsessed with.

Prep Time5

Cook Time15

Total Time20

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Servings:

Author: Mary Younkin

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

The cooking time for the shrimp is just a few minutes. However, if you do not purchase your shrimp already peeled and deveined, allow at least 10 to 15 minutes to prep the shrimp before cooking.

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