Creamy Shrimp and Broccoli Spaghetti: 15-minute summer pasta recipe
Looking for a delicious and easy-to-make summer pasta recipe that combines the flavors of seafood and seasonal vegetables?
This Creamy shrimp and broccoli spaghetti recipe is bound to impress you with creamy white sauce, light shrimp flavor and vibrant broccoli florets.
That recipe is bursting with perfectly cooked shrimp and tender broccoli, all in a creamy sauce made of lemon juice and parmesan cheese that’s sure to satisfy your cravings.
If your ideal summer meal looks like a plate of creamy pasta and a glass of cold white wine, than I promise this recipe is the right one for you.
This recipe was created for Revija Praznična (summer issue 2023).
Summer Shrimp spaghetti recipe
Some people believe that an apple a day takes the doctor away.
But it seems to me like it’s a plate of creamy and juicy pasta dish that can actually do that 😉.
This is why I created this simple pasta dish, which is perfect for hot sumer days,
when you want to eat delicious seasonal food with minimum time spent behind the stovetop.
Discover a delicious recipe for creamy shrimp and broccoli spaghetti.
This mouthwatering dish is easy to make and will satisfy your cravings for a comforting meal and impress your dinner guests, who share the love for pasta and seafood with you.
Ingredients for Shrimp and Broccoli spaghetti
To make a delicious creamy shrimp and broccoli spaghetti, you will need a few key ingredients. Here’s a list of what you’ll need to prepare this dish:
- Spaghetti: You can use any type of spaghetti you prefer, but we recommend using regular or whole wheat spaghetti.
- Broccoli: Fresh broccoli florets work best for this recipe, but you can also use frozen broccoli if you prefer.
- Shrimp: Use fresh or frozen shrimp that have been peeled and deveined.
- Garlic powder: gralic powder add a delicious flavor to this dish, but it provides sweeter and more subtle taste compared to the fresh garlic.
- Butter: Unsalted butter is best for this recipe.
- Heavy cream: This ingredient adds richness and creaminess to the sauce.
- Parmesan cheese: Freshly grated parmesan cheese is a must for this recipe.
- Salt and pepper: Season the dish to your liking with salt and pepper.
- Lemon: Freshly squeezed lemon juice adds a bright and tangy flavor to the dish.
- Summer herbs: Fresh herbs from your garden will add a pop of color and freshness to the dish.
How to make Shrimp and Broccoli pasta
To prepare the dish, you’ll need just 15 minutes and a few basic kitchen tools.
Prepare a large pot for boiling the pasta, a skillet for cooking the shrimp and broccoli, and a colander for draining the pasta and let’s get cooking!
Cook the spaghetti
Start by bringing a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the spaghetti and cook until it is al dente, following the package instructions. This should take about 8-10 minutes.
Once the pasta is cooked, drain it and set it aside.
Cook the broccoli
Wash the broccoli and break it appart into smaller broccoli florets.
Cook the broccoli in salted boiling water for 4 minutes until it is tender.
Drain it unted the cold water and set aside.
Prepare shrimps for pasta
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add a tablespoon of olive oil and sauté the shrimp until they turn pink and are cooked through. This should take about 2-3 minutes per side. Once the shrimp is cooked, remove it from the skillet and set it aside.
Prepare shrimp pasta cream sauce
In an empty wok at medium temperature, add some cream cheese and sweet cream.
In the same skillet, add butter, cream cheese and heavy cream.
Cook at medium heat until fragrant, about 1-2 minutes. Then, add grated parmesan, lemon zest, lemon juice, garlic powder, salt and herbs.
Cook until the sauce thickens and becomes creamy. Add the cooked shrimp and broccoli to the skillet and stir to combine. Finally, add the cooked spaghetti and toss everything together until the pasta is coated in the creamy sauce.
What to serve with Shrimp and Broccoli pasta
Once you’ve made this delicious Creamy Shrimp and Broccoli Spaghetti,
you’ll want to accopmany the dish with beverages and side dishes that
celebrate its flavors and textures.
Wine
Ah, what’s better than a good glass of wine as the perfect finishing touch to your meal.
A crisp white wine, like Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc, pairs well with the shrimp and broccoli. If you prefer red wine, a light-bodied Pinot Noir or Chianti would work well.
Salads
A light, refreshing salad is a great way to balance out the richness of the creamy sauce.
A simple green salad with a vinaigrette dressing is a good option.
If you’re all about vibrant and colorful summer salads, check these two recipes below:
Burrata salata with Aromatic oils
Spring salad with strawberries
Garlic bread
Garlic bread is the perfect crunchy addition to this dish, if you want to serve a hearty meal. The warm, toasty bread pairs well with the creamy sauce and adds an extra layer of flavor. You can make your own garlic bread by slicing a baguette, brushing it with garlic butter, and toasting it in the oven until golden brown.
How to store and reheat Shrimp Spaghetti
Once you have prepared your creamy shrimp and broccoli spaghetti, you may have leftovers that you would like to store and reheat for another meal. Here are some tips to help you keep your dish fresh and delicious.
Storage
- Store any leftover spaghetti in an airtight container in the fridge.
- Make sure to let it cool down to room temperature before storing it.
- Label the container with the date so you can keep track of when it was made.
- The spaghetti can be stored in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.
Reheating
- You can reheat the spaghetti easily like 1-2-3 in a microwave or a stovetop.
- If using a microwave, place the spaghetti in a microwave-safe dish and cover it with a damp paper towel.
- Heat it for 1-2 minutes and then stir it. Repeat until it is heated through.
- If using the stovetop, place the spaghetti in a saucepan and add a little bit of milk or cream to help loosen the sauce.
- Heat it over medium heat, stirring occasionally until it is heated through.
Tips for making the best Shrimp and Broccoli pasta
Cook the broccoli properly
First make sure to choose broccoli head that’s firm, dark green, and free from yellow or brown spots. The stalks should be crisp and not rubbery. Place the broccoli florets into the boiling water and allow them to cook only for about 3 minutes, or until they become bright green and slightly tender. Be careful not to overcook the broccoli, as it can become mushy.
How to know which shrimps to buy for pasta?
Fresh shrimp will have a mild, slightly salty scent, similar to the sea. Avoid shrimp that smell overly fishy or ammonia-like, as it may indicate poor quality or spoilage. Check for firmness in the flesh, and avoid shrimp that are slimy or mushy.
How can I make a creamy sauce for shrimp and broccoli pasta without using heavy cream?
To make a creamy sauce for shrimp and broccoli pasta without using heavy cream, you can use a combination of milk and cornstarch to thicken the sauce. Alternatively, you can use vegan oat cream or sour cream to add creaminess to the dish without adding as much fat.
How to style Shrimp and Broccoli spaghetti
If you’re focused on aestetic in every aspect of life, you’l agree that presentation of the dish is just as importnant as the taste of it.
To make your Shrimp spaghetti look as good as it tastes,
I suggest you to use my garnishing tricks:
- Save the prettiest shrimps and broccoli florets for topping the plate.
- Grate fresh Parmesan cheese over the top.
- Add some fresh lemon zest over the served pasta.
- Drizzle the dish with some oilve oil right before serving.
- Garnish the plate with fresh summer herbs like thyme and basil.
Delicious Shrimp pasta variations
Do you hate using dairy products or do you prefer eating something a bit lighter?
Ah girl, I’ve got you! There are many ways to tweak the Creamy shrimp and broccoli spaghetti recipe to suit your taste and dietary preferences.
I came up with some possible variations to try:
- Vegetarian option: If you’re a vegetarian or want to cut down on meat, you can replace the shrimp with smoked tofu or seitan. Simply cut them into small pieces and cook them in the same way as the shrimp and make sure you marinade it in summer spice mix of your choice. You can also add some sliced mushrooms to the dish for extra umami flavor.
- Gluten-free option: To make this dish gluten-free, use gluten-free spaghetti or any other gluten-free pasta that you prefer. Make sure to check that all the other ingredients are gluten-free as well.
- Spicy option: If you like your food spicy, you can add some red chili flakes or cayenne pepper to the dish. You can sprinkle them on top of the finished dish or add them to the sauce while cooking.
- Low-fat option: If you want a lighter version of this dish, you can use low-fat cream cheese or Greek yogurt instead of heavy cream. You can also skip the Parmesan cheese or use a reduced-fat version, but that also means eating a less tasty version of the dish. Just sayin’ 😊!
- Different vegetables: While broccoli is the star of this dish, you can use other vegetables as well. For example, you can add some sweet peas, zucchini, or asparagus to the dish. Just make sure to adjust the cooking time accordingly.
- Different pasta: While spaghetti is the classic choice for this dish, you can use any other pasta that you like. Fettuccine, linguine, or penne would work well too.
Play around, have fun and make this dish your own. It’s nice to cook the same recipe more than just once and make it work for you according to your cravings and ingredients in your pantry.
15-minute Creamy Shrimp Spaghetti recipe
Print Recipe
Creamy Shrimp and Broccoli Spaghetti recipe
Equipment
- 1 large boiling pot for cooking the pasta
- 1 medium boiling pot for cooking the broccoli
- 1 collander
- 1 kitchen knife
- 1 large skillet
- 1 cheese grater
- 2 bowls for saving the cooked broccoli and shrimps
Ingredients
For the pasta
- 500 g spaghetti
- 1 pcs small broccoli head cut into small florets
- 200 g shrimps cleaned
For the creamy sauce
- 100 ml cooking cream
- 20 g butter
- 100 g cream cheese
- 1 lemon juice and the zest
- 40 g Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- salt and black pepper
- 1 handful fresh summer herbs (thyme and basil)
Instructions
Cook the pasta
- Start by bringing a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the spaghetti and cook until it is al dente, following the package instructions. This should take about 8-10 minutes. Once the pasta is cooked, drain it and set it aside.
Cook the broccoli
- Wash the broccoli and break it appart into smaller broccoli florets.Cook the broccoli in salted boiling water for 4 minutes until it is tender.Drain it under the cold water and set aside.
Prepare shrimps for pasta
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add a tablespoon of olive oil and sauté the shrimps until they turn pink and are cooked through. This should take about 2-3minutes per side. Once the shrimp is cooked, remove it from the skillet and set it aside.
Prepare shrimp pasta cream sauce
- In the same skillet add the butter, cream cheese and heavy cream.Cook at medium heat untilfragrant, about 1-2 minutes.
- Add grated parmesan, lemon zest, lemon juice, garlic powder, salt and herbs.Cook until the sauce thickens and becomes creamy.
- Add the cooked shrimp and broccoli to the skillet and stir to combine.Finally, add the cooked spaghetti and toss everything together until the pasta is coated in the creamy sauce.
Serve
- Serve the pasta on one big platter or in separated plates for each person.Garnish with extra Parmesan cheese, lemon zest and fresh herbs.
Notes
How to store and reheat Shrimp Spaghetti
Once you have prepared your creamy shrimp and broccoli spaghetti, you may have leftovers that you would like to store and reheat for another meal. Here are some tips to help you keep your dish fresh and delicious.Storage
- Store any leftover spaghetti in an airtight container in the fridge.
- Make sure to let it cool down to room temperature before storing it.
- Label the container with the date so you can keep track of when it was made.
- The spaghetti can be stored in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.
Reheating
- To reheat the spaghetti, you can use a microwave or a stovetop.
- If using a microwave, place the spaghetti in a microwave-safe dish and cover it with a damp paper towel.
- Heat it for 1-2 minutes and then stir it. Repeat until it is heated through.
- If using the stovetop, place the spaghetti in a saucepan and add a little bit of milk or cream to help loosen the sauce.
- Heat it over medium heat, stirring occasionally until it is heated through.