Confession: I have to physically avert my eyes every time I pass the pasta sides packets in the grocery store.
You know the ones. They come in mouthwatering flavors like Creamy Chicken (a personal favorite of mine in college,) Butter & Herb (yes and yes), and Broccoli Cheddar (everybody’s favorite,) and are like, $.88 a packet. You can’t beat that with a stick!
What I’d like to beat with a stick, however, is the ingredient list and nutritional information that comes along with these unfortunately delicious side dishes. Let’s just say, there are healthier options – like making it yourself! Oh yes, ditch the packet and make your own creamy, crowd-pleasing pasta side for dinner tonight like Creamy Garlic Shells.
Creamy and ultra-garlicky, this simple little side dish comes together in about 15 minutes (including pasta cooking time) and the best part is that you control the ingredients that go inside.
Saute fresh garlic in a little bit of extra virgin olive oil and butter, thicken with flour (gluten-free if you need it,) then simmer with milk, chicken broth, and seasonings until thick and bubbly. Stir in cooked pasta and you’ve got a winner of a side dish to pair with dinner! That is to say, this is really good.
Start by cooking 8oz small pasta shells (or any small cut pasta) in salted boiling water until al dente, then drain and set aside.
Let the pot cool off the heat for several minutes then return it over medium heat and melt in 1 Tablespoon each butter and extra virgin olive oil. Add 2 minced garlic cloves then saute until light golden brown, 30 seconds, and then whisk in 2 Tablespoons flour, again, gluten free if you need it, and saute for another minute.
Next, slowly whisk in 3/4 cup each milk and chicken broth, season with salt and pepper, then switch to a wooden spoon and stir until the mixture is thick and bubbly.
Remove the pot from the heat then stir in 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, 2 teaspoons dried parsley, and 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese.
Add the cooked shells back in then stir to combine. Taste and adjust salt and pepper if necessary.
Scoop and serve next to the protein and vegetable of your choice, then dig in. I hope you love this easy, made-over, yummy pasta side dish recipe! Enjoy!
More Easy Side Dish Recipes
- Air Fryer Asparagus
- Angel Hair Pasta with Garlic and Herbs
- Easy Garlic Butter Roasted Mushrooms
- The BEST Pasta Salad
- Mediterranean Orzo Salad
- Gluten Free Scalloped Potatoes
- Baked Potatoes
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Creamy Garlic Shells
Description
Creamy Garlic Shells are a quick and easy side dish recipe made with fridge and pantry staples. Tastes just like the store-bought package, but are funky ingredient-free!
Ingredients
- 8oz mini shells pasta (GF if needed)
- 1 Tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 Tablespoon butter
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 Tablespoons flour (GF if needed)
- 3/4 cup chicken broth
- 3/4 cup milk (I used skim)
- salt & pepper
- 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder (not garlic salt)
- 2 teaspoons parsley flakes
Directions
- Cook pasta in a pot of salted, boiling water until al dente. Drain then set aside. Let pot cool off the heat for several minutes.
- Return pot to stove over medium heat then add butter and olive oil. Once melted, add garlic then saute until light golden brown, about 30 seconds, being very careful not to burn. Sprinkle in flour then whisk and saute for 1 minute. Slowly pour in chicken broth and milk while whisking until mixture is smooth. Season with salt and pepper then switch to a wooden spoon and stir constantly until mixture is thick and bubbly, 4-5 minutes.
- Remove pot from heat then stir in parmesan cheese, garlic powder, and parsley flakes until smooth. Add cooked pasta then stir to combine. Taste then adjust salt and pepper if necessary, and then serve.
- Leave a comment and star rating if you loved the recipe! Thank you for considering!
This recipe is courtesy of Iowa Girl Eats, http://iowagirleats.com.
Video
I used this recipe with a dinner of roastred, barbecued Salmon and spinach with Tarragon vinegar. I used to make buttered pasta, but the problem was keeping it warm through the meal. This recipe stayed warm and I intend using it in the future when I have this problem. Pasta cools quickly without a strong sauce and we weere very pleased with this side dish! Than you!!
I’m SO glad this side dish was a hit, Barbara!
Love this recipe. made a few times and always so yummy. Thank you for sharing. (Making it right now again!!!)
I’m so glad to hear that, Joan!! Thrilled it’s a repeater recipe for you!
Not a fan. I think the additional garlic powder ruined the dish.
I made these last night to go with ribs – so delicious! My husband was using hunks of rib meat to scrape every drop of sauce from his bowl. Truly amazing and so much better than the packets – perfect side dish – thank you for another great recipe!
Oh my gosh, that sounds do delicious, haha!! I’m so glad this dish was a hit!!
Wonderful recipe! I wanted a garlic shells recipe that would make a nice side dish. This recipe was very easy and it was delicious. I will definitely be making this again. Thanks for the wonderful recipe!
I’m so glad this recipe hit the spot, Maria! Thank you so much for your feedback and recipe rating!
What brand of GF pasta do you recommend?
I love Tinkyada GF shells for this recipe!
Excellent!!! (Made this as a side tonight)
Fabulous! so glad you enjoyed, Leah!
I just finish cooking this and it tastes great so far, can’t wait to have it for dinner.
I love to hear that, Jacquelyn!! Thank you so much for your feedback and recipe rating – I hope dinner was a hit. :)
I made it again today and changed the recipe some, instead of using regular parmesan cheese I used violife vegan cheese and almond milk, I tasted it and again I can’t wait to have this for dinner.
Fabulous!! I’ll have to try that – my daughter is allergic to dairy.
This was delicious! Made it as a side dish tonight, and even our picky 3 year old enjoyed it. The grownups cleaned our plates.
Definitely give this one a try!
NICE!! So glad it was enjoyed by all, Kristen!
If you mix cheddar cheese with cream cheese, the cheesy mixture will not separate. This makes for a yummy Mac and cheese.
Sounds delicious!
Made this tonight- a huge hit with the family! Recipe doubles well.
I’m so glad you loved it, Elaine!!
This sounds like it would make a good crock pot recipe too. Has anyone tried it?
Oh man! We eat an embarrassing amount of those packages of pasta…I made your recipe tonight. Absolutely perfect! I used medium shells and added apple chicken sausage and sugar snap peas. It was so yummy
Fabulous!! So glad it was a success – thank you so much for your feedback and recipe rating!
this is delicious – not bland for us at all. Full of garlic flavor! Added salt and pepper as suggested in the recipe and it was perfect! Making it again tonight – my family loves it!
I made this last night and thought it was too bland. I added Penzeys Sunny Paris seasoning and more salt and we were able to eat it. Unless I can think of a way to give it more flavor, I don’t think I’ll make it again.
This was very nice! Thank you for sharing!
I’m so glad you enjoyed, Jeanette! Thank you so much for your feedback and recipe rating!
Very delicious! I halved for a more single serving lunch….I ate the whole thing! Very delicious. Thank you so much for the recipe.
I can relate!! ;) So glad you enjoyed!!