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.
Heather 06.08.2017
This the first side dish recipe that I have made that actually turned out (not runny or too dry etc.). My horrendously picky children actually ate some. Thank you!!
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[…] Just 15 minutes is all you need to get this fragrant dish on the table. No preservatives or pasta packets required. Proof is right here. […]
Margaret Cooley 01.20.2017
Tried the recipe for the Creamy Garlic Shells, they came out delicious. Really not much more effort than the packet kind but exceptionally more taste! Inspires me to make more pasta sides with this base sauce. Thanks.
Amy 01.07.2017
Hi, do you know what’s the calories total, protein, carbs and fat percentages? Thanks!
Teresa Miller 11.12.2016
I just made this, so delicious, to go with my oven baked pork ribs… Thank-you for sharing!
Kristin 11.16.2016
So glad you enjoyed it, Teresa – and now I’m craving ribs! ;)
Laura 07.21.2016
Great recipe. The entire pan was gone within 5 minutes. I didn’t have any small pasta, Penne pasta worked fine. We use those packets of pasta a LOT and I love that this is all in one pan. Thank you!
Homemade One-Pot Creamy Garlic Shells 05.22.2016
[…] recipe was adapted from Iowa Girl Eats recipe with minimal changes and it is absolutely […]
Mietta 03.16.2016
I made this for Outdoor Ed and it tastes amazing thanks so much ??
Lisa 12.12.2015
Oh my stars, I was looking for an easy noodle side dish that I could adapt for a low-sodium diet, and this was so delicious! So much better than any processed package you buy in the store, and just as easy. Thanks!
NRMO 12.05.2015
Can we use heavy cream and vegetable broth instead of milk and chicken broth (caseinA allergy hence the heavy cream and vegetarian hence the veg broth!)?
Kristin 12.06.2015
For sure!
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[…] Wed: Lowcountry Smothered Pork Chops with Creamy Garlic Noodles […]
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[…] doesn’t love a creamy, comforting bowl of pasta? This recipe from IowaGirlEats.com is similar to alfredo sauce but with an awesome garlicky twist. Made with simple ingredients, this […]
Danielle 05.28.2015
Oh.my.gosh I came across this on pinterest, and cannot believe this taste EXACTLY like the packet, but even better. I know everything that goes in and can control the salt. I used whole wheat pasta. I can’t thank you enough for this recipe. Thank you thank you!
Kristin 06.02.2015
So glad you enjoyed, Danielle!! :)
Creamy Garlic Shells | Cook as u wish 01.30.2015
[…] Instructions See full instructions on : iowagirleats.com […]
Caroline 12.29.2014
I made both the garlic shells and kale last night and they were a huge hit. I added a splash of red wine vinegar to the kale. My boyfriend ate 2 HUGE servings of the shells. I will definately make this again, thanks!
J Parker 11.14.2014
Just made this for dinner for my husband and me, and we loved it! I stirred in some cooked chicken at the end with the pasta and let it heat through. Made a tasty one pot meal. Thanks for the recipe!
J Parker 11.14.2014
Forgot to mention that I upped the sauce ingredients to make enough sauce to cover the chicken. By the way, i always thought those packets in the store looked and sounded better than they actually taste in real life. They are just a tease. ;-) This version is MUCH better!
Get Daily Recipes.com | Creamy Garlic Shells 10.24.2014
[…] Click here for the full recipe […]
Creamy Garlic Shells (No Packet Required!) | 4 Sons 'R' Us 10.20.2014
[…] recipe adapted from Iowa Girl Eats […]
Jill 10.03.2014
I loved the way this pasta came out. I will however omit the 1/2 tsp of garlic power. It was a little too garlic-y for me. Otherwise, this is a much better alternative than store bought in a box with a seasoning packet.
Casey DellaRosa 09.29.2014
Can I use mozzarella cheese instead of parm?
Kristin 09.30.2014
Sure! The shells will just be a bit more “gooey” from the soft cheese vs a hard cheese like parm.