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
free email bonus
Dinner Made EASY
5 days of simple yet flavorful recipes that take the stress out of dinnertime!
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.
MBP 06.06.2020
Made this last as a side for roasted chicken thighs. Used a small penne noodle. The family loved it. It’s easy and delicious.
Hamagirl 05.19.2020
This recipe went well with pork chops I made for dinner. I did not have parsley or shell pasta, so I used italian seasoning and penne pasta … it was yummy. Thanks for this easy side dish!
Amy 05.16.2020
All your copycat recipes are outstanding and this one is no exception! I love being able to make the “classics” of my childhood but know exactly what’s in it when I make it for my family!
Julie 04.24.2020
Do you have the recipe for the kale in this picture? Looks so tender! Looking forward to incorporating this into my meal plan this week!
Julie Stone 03.29.2020
These are literally so good. So many of these recipes claim they are easy and quick, yet are not. This truly was so simple and quick, and was sooooo good. This tastes like restaurant pasta. It is amazing, and it doesn’t feel heavy. Soooo good.
Maria 03.08.2020
I used the sauce with cavatappi and it was delicious. Thank you.
Makyla L 02.27.2020
Made this tonight and WOW! Both my kids (2 + 4 years) LOVED it and so did my husband & I. Highly recommend and will be making again!
Denise Smith 02.18.2020
Delicious! I added some diced ham and mixed veggies and made a one pot meal of it. ?
Beth 02.06.2020
Simple to make and wonderful flavor with ingredients I always have on hand! This recipe has made it in our family favorite’s recipe binder!
Kristin 02.06.2020
Happy to hear that, Beth!! Thank you so much for your feedback and recipe rating!
Intersting Garlic Recipes That Every Garlic Lover Should Try – Craft Ideas 09.16.2019
[…] iowagirleats […]
Tiffany J 09.04.2019
Seriously so good! My whole family loved this dish, I will be making again soon.
Rosalinda 05.22.2019
Thank you! Super easy and tasty! Kid and hubby approved?
Side Dish Recipes - Best Side Dishes - Best Recipes 05.13.2019
[…] iowagirleats.com […]
Kerry 05.11.2019
Isn’t there gluten in the pasta?
Kristin 05.11.2019
You’ll want to use gluten free pasta to make this gluten free.
Emma 03.27.2019
Just made this for dinner tonight and it is awesome!!! An easy recipe to make and proud to know it was homemade and not out of a box!
Rowdy Simpson 07.26.2018
Omg this is the best sauce to go with really any noodle!
Kristin 07.31.2018
So glad you enjoyed! :)
Anna 04.27.2018
My whole family LOVED this! I made it with fettucine noodles as a side with apricot mustard pork chops. My daughter (15 months) at 2 or 3 servings. My pasta loving husband said it was “herby, but in a really good way” – which is high praise from him. Thank you for a quick go-to side or main dish that the whole family likes.
Kristin 05.01.2018
Yesss, so glad to hear it, Anna! Thanks for the feedback and recipe rating!
Jenn 09.28.2017
I wanted a quick, easy meal tonight, and this hit the spot. I added a cup and a half of frozen peas and about a cup and a half of ground ham steak…one pot meal!
Kristin 10.02.2017
Yummm – definitely sounds like it hit the spot! So glad you guys enjoyed!
Megan Scarborough 06.15.2017
This looks so yummy!! I am making honey mustard baked chicken thighs for dinner and was contemplating what to make as sides. I settled on a pasta and came across this gem of a recipe thanks to my good pal Google. I can’t wait to try it and will be attempting to pair it with your kale recipe as well! Can’t wait, wish me luck!! :)
Creamy Garlic Pasta 06.11.2017
[…] recipe was adapted from Iowa Girl Eats recipe with minimal changes and it is absolutely […]