This Shrimp and Broccoli Pasta is about to be your new weeknight best friend. Tender shrimp, perfectly cooked pasta, and a creamy parmesan cheese sauce all come together with everything you want and none of the fuss. This dish will quickly become a favorite of the whole family!
This one's for those nights when you want something that feels a little special but isn't going to keep you tied to the stove. Just a quick sauté, toss it all together in the creamy sauce, and you've got yourself a meal that tastes like you spent way more time on it than you actually did. Perfect for family dinners or impressing friends. We love it as leftovers too!
If you are looking for more pasta recipes, check out our: Bistro Shrimp Pasta, Creamy Garlic Parmesan Pasta With Chicken, Pesto Alfredo, Meatballs Alfredo or Sweet Potato Gnocchi Sauce.
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Why You Will Love This Recipe
- Simple: All you need are a few ingredients and some simple steps to make this meal. It is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner because you can get a tasty meal on the table without any hassle. Plus, you will be able to easily find all of the ingredients at your local grocery store.
- Comforting: This pasta dish is warm, creamy, and packed with cozy flavors that make it the perfect comfort food. It is one of those meals that is ideal for winding down after a long day.
- Nutritious: With protein from the shrimp, nutrients from the broccoli and carbs from the pasta, it's a well rounded meal that doesn't need much else.
Ingredients
Here are the simple ingredients you will need for this creamy shrimp and broccoli pasta with alfredo sauce recipe:
- Shrimp: Use fresh and properly thawed peeled and deveined shrimp for the best texture and flavor.
- Garlic powder: You can also use fresh garlic instead of garlic powder.
- Onion powder
- Salt & black pepper
- Crushed red pepper flakes: Feel free to omit if you don't like spice. Or add more to make this pasta spicier!
- Olive oil: Use a good quality olive oil for the best flavor.
- Broccoli: Use fresh broccoli florets for the best flavor and texture.
- Pasta: Any short pasta will work well. I like to use penne, farfalle, or rigatoni.
- Butter: I recommend using unsalted butter so you can control the amount of salt in your dish.
- Heavy cream: You can use whole milk or half and half for lighter options. You can also use half cream and half chicken stock or chicken broth to lighten the dish up.
- Parmesan cheese: Use freshly grated parmesan cheese for the best flavor and texture. If you want to make this dish even creamier, you can add in some cream cheese.
- Lemon: Fresh lemon for squeezing on top will provide the best flavor.
Directions
Let's make this easy pasta dish together!
Step 1
In a large bowl, combine the garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes. Drizzle with olive oil and add the peeled and deveined shrimp. Mix well to coat the shrimp with the seasoning.
Step 2
Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add the shrimp in a single layer. Sauté for about 2-3 minutes on each side until seared and the shrimp turn pink, then set the shrimp aside on a plate.
Step 3
In a large pot of salted water, cook the pasta according to the package directions. Once cooked, reserve ½ cup of the cooking water and transfer the pasta to a large bowl using tongs, saving the remaining pasta water in the pot.
Step 4
Add the broccoli florets to the boiling water and cook for 3 minutes until it is bright green. Then, drain the broccoli and set it aside with the pasta.
Step 5
In the same skillet used for the shrimp, add butter and heavy whipping cream. Allow the butter to melt and simmer for about 5 minutes over medium heat. Stir in garlic powder, salt, black pepper, and grated Parmesan cheese, whisking until the cheese melts and the sauce is creamy.
Step 6
Add the cooked pasta, shrimp and broccoli to the skillet, tossing everything together until well combined and coated in the sauce. Add additional pasta water to thin sauce if needed. Serve hot, topped with extra Parmesan cheese and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice.
Expert Tips and Tricks
Here are some expert tips to make this broccoli and shrimp pasta recipe:
- Don't overcook the shrimp: Shrimp cook quickly, so keep an eye on them. They're done when they turn pink and opaque, usually about 2-3 minutes per side. Overcooking can make them tough.
- Use the reserved pasta water: Saving some of the pasta cooking water is a great trick for adjusting the sauce's consistency later. The starchy pasta water can help thicken the sauce and make it cling to the pasta better.
Kitchen Equipment
Here is some kitchen equipment you will need for this delicious meal. You can find all of these products on Amazon.
- Large Pot: A large pot is essential in every kitchen to make soups, boil pasta, and so many other things!
- Large skillet: You'll want a high quality large skillet with high sides.
Recipe Substitutions/Variations
Here are some common recipe substitutions and variations for this comforting meal.
- Shrimp: If you don't have shrimp, you can use chicken or scallops. Just adjust the cooking time accordingly.
- Pasta: Swap the short pasta for long pasta like spaghetti or fettuccine. You could even try whole wheat or gluten-free pasta to suit dietary needs.
- Heavy cream: For a lighter option, use half-and-half or milk instead of heavy cream.
- Parmesan cheese: If you don't have Parmesan, you can use Pecorino Romano or Grana Padano.
- Additions: Toss in other vegetables like bell peppers, asparagus, snap peas, or zucchini for added color and nutrients. For an even brighter lemon flavor, sprinkle on some lemon zest before serving. Or, add some heat to this recipe with cajun seasoning.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can absolutely use frozen shrimp for this recipe! Just make sure to thaw them properly before cooking by placing them in the refrigerator overnight or by quickly thawing them in cold water. Once thawed, they can be seasoned and cooked just like fresh shrimp.
Yes, you can use frozen broccoli for this recipe! Just add the frozen broccoli directly to the boiling water when you cook the pasta and follow the same cooking time as you would for fresh broccoli. It will still turn out delicious and tender!
Yes, you can make this dish ahead of time, but it's best to store the pasta and sauce separately to maintain the best texture. Prepare the shrimp, broccoli, and sauce, then mix them with the pasta just before serving to ensure everything stays fresh and creamy. If you do assemble it in advance, simply reheat gently on the stove, adding a splash of cream or pasta water to help revive the sauce.
Recipe Storage and Reheating
Here are storage instructions for this pasta dish.
- Refrigerator Storage: Store in an airtight container and eat leftovers within 4-5 days.
- Freezer Storage: Freeze in a freezer-safe, airtight container and keep for up to 3 months. When you're ready to use, thaw in the refrigerator before serving.
- Reheating Instructions: The best way to reheat this recipe is to heat in a skillet with a little olive oil over low heat until warm. You can also reheat in the microwave.
Other Recipes to Try
Creamy Shrimp and Broccoli Pasta Recipe
Ingredients
For the shrimp:
- 1 lb shrimp peeled and deveined
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
For the pasta:
- 2 cups broccoli florets
- 8 oz short pasta
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 cups grated parmesan cheese plus more for serving
- Lemon wedges for serving
Instructions
- Combine garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, red pepper flakes, and olive oil in a large bowl. Add shrimp and mix well.
- Heat a large pan over medium heat. Add shrimp in a single layer and sauté for 4 minutes per side, until seared. Set aside.
- Cook pasta according to package directions. Transfer pasta and ½ cup pasta water into a large bowl. Keep the remaining water in the pot.
- Add broccoli florets to the water and cook for 3 minutes. Drain and set aside.
- Add butter and heavy cream to the shrimp skillet. Allow butter to melt and simmer for 5 minutes on medium heat.
- Add 1 tablespoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper, and 2 cups parmesan cheese to the pan and whisk until cheese is melted.
- Add pasta, shrimp, and broccoli to the skillet. Toss until combined and serve with additional parmesan cheese and lemon wedges.
Did You Make This Recipe?
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