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!Â
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.
Watch How to Make It!
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.Â
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.
Christina (Sisters Running the Kitchen) 03.12.2013
just made this last night…it came out GREAT. and it was SO easy. wonderful side dish…thanks for sharing :)
Tess @ Cake & Vodka 03.11.2013
How cool! I would love to try that.
Denise 03.11.2013
OMG! I just made your creamy garlic shells and they soooooooooooooooooo good! It really tastes like something in a restaurant. I LOVE IT! I read your blog this weekend and have already made the kale twice! Thank you for your recipes! I look forward to trying out more!
Cooking: Creamy Garlic Sauce | Cue's Corner 03.11.2013
[…] https://iowagirleats.com/2013/03/06/creamy-garlic-shells/ […]
Kim 03.11.2013
I made these last night and just HAD to tell you how AMAAAAZING they are!! We love those packets but its definitely a guilty pleasure because its so not good for you. This recipe would be identical except for the fact that it tastes ten times better! It’s so easy too. It was nothing to throw together while I was cooking some Parmesan crusted pork chops. I will be making this a lot. It was a huge hit with my family! Thank you!
Sheri 03.11.2013
Made this for dinner last night and we loved it! Definitely just as easy as the packet and much better for you. Thanks for all the great recipes. I’m having the Sausage One pot supper for lunches this week!!
Delia 03.10.2013
Made this and so, so good! Used almond milk in replacement of chicken broth (idk….) but still came out thick and creamy! Delish! Also, congrats on recent post! :) So exciting!
Rebecca 03.10.2013
JUST MADE THIS RECIPE AND IT WAS DELICIOUS!!! Thank you SO MUCH for sharing this! I’m going to make this A LOT!!
Holly 03.10.2013
I made this tonight! It was delicious! I used to love those packets as a kid, but this tastes 1 million times better then those ever did! Thank you for sharing the recipe
SleepNStuff 03.10.2013
I added hot sauce to this and it was great! I loved the fact that I already had all of the ingredients!
Christina 03.10.2013
I just made this. My husband and I both loved it. I’ll be making it again this week for a kid-friendly meal.
Ellie 03.10.2013
This pasta looks fantastic. I only make pasta roni when my husband is out of town because my kids and I like it with salmon, which he hates. I have wanted to figure out a “real” version for a while, but when I am solo is not the right time for that. Now I can make your version and not have to figure it out on my own. It looks so tasty I might just have to make it this week and serve with something other than salmon instead of waiting for him to go out of town.
» The Sunday Brunch Buffet 3/10/2013 The Live-In Kitchen 03.10.2013
[…] Creamy garlic shells here I come! […]
Paula Kelly 03.09.2013
I just made this and it was fantastic! Thank you :)
Creamy garlic shells by Iowa Girl Eats Ingredients:Â 8oz mini… « buttertown.com 03.09.2013
[…] Creamy garlic shells by Iowa Girl Eats […]
Erica S. 03.09.2013
I have been wanting to try a homemade version of those box sides for a while. I agree they are so tasty, but the ingredients are scary!
I loved your broccoli orzo (the kids requested more cheese lol), and can’t wait to try this too!
Stacey @ Starpulp 03.08.2013
[face plant]
Food | Pearltrees 03.08.2013
[…] Creamy Garlic Shells […]
Rosie @ Blueberry Kitchen 03.08.2013
Oh yum, your pasta looks absolutely delicious!
Angie @ Big Bear's Wife 03.08.2013
mmmmm! I admit it, I love those little pasta sides packets too. They just pull me in! haha. But however, like all things homemade is always better! yummy!!