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.
Michelle 03.30.2013
I can’t even begin to iterate how much I LOVE those damn garlic shells. But like you, I avoid that aisle like it’s typhoid, plague, and zombies all rolled into one. So….THIS is the best thing ever and I think I’m going to weep with happy!
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Sharee 03.21.2013
I don’t usually have chicken broth on hand. Any substitute?
Iowa Girl Eats 03.23.2013
You could use water, but it won’t be as flavorful. I would just buy a small can of chicken broth then freeze the remaining broth!
Bonnie 03.21.2013
I made these last night and they were delisious! I too am a fan of the noodle packets but I’m really trying to buy less processed food! I made this recipe as written and the whole family loved it. I’ve also made your Cheesy broccoli orzo YUM.
Now if you will take a swing at the Chicken noodles packet, that would be wonderful as those were my faves!
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Amy 03.15.2013
Found your recipe on Pinterest and tried it last night. I had some half and half in the fridge from another recipe and used that instead of milk. Delicious. Thank you for sharing! Going to check out some of your other recipes, for sure.
Hannah 03.14.2013
This was sooooo good. I added some cooked, chopped chicken breast in the end and used macaroni noodles. Will definitely make again!
Beth J 03.14.2013
Hey, there’s nothing wrong with chicken fat! It’s also called “schmaltz” and is necessary for amazing matzo ball soup. :)
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Francesca 03.14.2013
I made these creamy garlic shells last night for dinner. I made 16oz. of medium shells and doubled the sauce. I used 2 cups half and half and 1 cup skim milk instead of the chicken stock and skim milk. Absolutely delicious! I can’t wait to have the leftovers for lunch today. Mmm!!
Trish 03.13.2013
Just made this as a side dish for dinner and ate WAY too much of it! So yummy. Maybe I really can give up the packets ;-)
Don 03.13.2013
It looks wonderful. Healthy pasty, with garlic one of my favorite ingredients. Good for keeping the immune system healthy, not to mention keeping the werewolves at bay :)
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nikki 03.13.2013
I’m not a fan of parmesan cheese. Do you think mozzarella cheese would work?
Brady 03.13.2013
Wow, this was so good. Made it for dinner tonight. Great quick meal with lots of flavor.
Violet 03.12.2013
Thank you for the recipes. I did the steamed kale tonight and it came out delicious (brain kept saying BACON BITS DO IT LIKE MOM USED TO MAKE) but I’ve been trying to eat healthier.
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