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This creamy shrimp and broccoli pasta recipe is quick and simple. It’s made with cream cheese, garlic, and pantry staples.
Shrimp and broccoli are a great combo, and since you know how much I love to make easy pasta recipes, I figured it was high time for a shrimp + broccoli pasta.
You may also like my shrimp and broccoli bowls!
I usually use heavy cream when making creamy pastas, but I decided to switch it up for this one. I love the tangy flavor that cream cheese brings to dishes, and it also makes a thicker sauce without having to worry about adding flour to it.
How to make shrimp and broccoli pasta
- Get the pasta water boiling. Once the pasta’s on its way to being cooked, start the sauce;
- In a skillet, cook the shrimp for 2 minutes/side and then take them out of the pan;
- Cook the broccoli in the skillet with the pan covered for a few minutes;
- Take the broccoli out and add the cream cheese, garlic, and Italian seasoning to the pan;
- Add the shrimp and broccoli back, let everything heat through, and then drain the pasta and toss it with the sauce.
Pro tip: Want to add a little heat? Sprinkle some red pepper flakes on.
Use whatever type/shape pasta you have on hand. I used a mix of regular and whole wheat spaghetti in the photos to change it up a little.
What size shrimp do I use in this pasta?
I used 31-40/pound count frozen raw shrimp. Smaller or larger shrimp would work too!
A few recipe notes:
- If the sauce is too thick for whatever reason, add a little more chicken broth or pasta water to thin it out.
- I chopped the broccoli florets fairly small so they would cook faster, so keep that in mind.
- You can use frozen broccoli florets, and if you do, I’d give it a minute or two longer to cook (so they thaw out properly).
More shrimp pastas:
- Creamy Lemon Shrimp Pasta
- Creamy Cajun Shrimp Pasta
- Shrimp Pasta in a Rosé Sauce
- Shrimp and Mushroom Pasta Recipe
- Healthy Shrimp and Asparagus Pasta Recipe
- Shrimp and Bacon Pasta
- Creamy Shrimp and Chorizo Pasta with Mushrooms
- Easy Shrimp Alfredo
Will you give this broccoli and shrimp pasta recipe a try?
Questions? Let me know in the comments below.
Creamy Shrimp and Broccoli Pasta
Ingredients
- 8 ounces uncooked pasta
- 1 pound uncooked (31-40/pound size) shrimp thawed & peeled
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 2 generous cups broccoli florets
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 8 ounces cream cheese softened and cut into cubes
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 1/4 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt & pepper to taste
- Freshly grated parmesan cheese optional
Instructions
- Prep your shrimp. If they're frozen, add them to a colander and run under cool water until thawed.
- Boil a salted pot of water for the pasta. Cook it al dente according to package directions.
- Meanwhile, heat the oil and butter in a skillet over medium-high heat. Once the pan's hot, add the shrimp. Cook for 2 minutes/side and then take them out of the pan and transfer to a plate.
- Add the broccoli to the pan and give it a good stir. Reduce the heat to medium. Cover the pan with a lid and let the broccoli cook for 3 minutes. If it's still too crisp for your liking, cover the pan for another minute or two. The broccoli may get a little brown on some parts, which I love because it adds extra flavor.
- Take the pan off the heat and transfer the broccoli to the same plate as the shrimp.
- Add the chicken broth, cream cheese, garlic, and Italian seasoning to the skillet. Return the pan to the heat and stir/whisk until the cream cheese has melted and it's a nice and creamy sauce.
- Add the shrimp and broccoli back into the pan and let it heat through. Season the sauce with salt & pepper as needed. Drain the pasta and toss with the sauce (prior to draining the pasta, you can add a little pasta water to thin the sauce if needed). Serve immediately with parmesan cheese if desired.
Notes
- I chopped my broccoli into fairly small florets and they were tender-crisp with the recommended cooking time.
- Instead of regular salt, try using some Tony's seasoning or Lawry's seasoning salt.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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We really enjoyed this recipe but will double the sauce next time. I also added a shake or two of chili flakes.
I’m so glad you liked it!