Description
Creamy Garlic Shells is a quick and comforting pasta dish featuring tender mini shell pasta coated in a rich, garlicky parmesan cream sauce. This easy recipe comes together in just 15 minutes, making it perfect for a flavorful weeknight dinner or a satisfying side.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 8 oz mini shell pasta
Sauce
- 2 Tablespoons butter
- 2 garlic cloves (pressed or minced)
- 2 Tablespoons gluten free flour (or all-purpose flour if not gluten free)
- 3/4 cup chicken broth
- 3/4 cup milk (any kind)
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley flakes
- Slightly heaping 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1/4 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Cook pasta: Bring a medium-sized pot of water to a boil and add a small palmful of salt. Add the mini shell pasta and cook until al dente according to package instructions. Drain the pasta and set it aside.
- Saute garlic: In a small to medium-sized pot, heat 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Once melted, add the pressed or minced garlic cloves. Stir and sauté the garlic until it’s very fragrant and the smallest bits just start to turn golden brown. Be careful not to overcook or burn the garlic.
- Add flour: Sprinkle 2 tablespoons of gluten free flour (or all-purpose flour) over the garlic and butter mixture. Cook while whisking continuously for about 30 seconds to form a roux.
- Cook sauce: Slowly pour in 3/4 cup chicken broth and 3/4 cup milk while whisking constantly to avoid lumps, creating a smooth sauce. Add 1 teaspoon dried parsley flakes, slightly heaping 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, salt, and pepper to taste. Increase the heat slightly, then switch to a spatula and stir continuously as the sauce simmers gently, thickening over 4-5 minutes. Reduce heat if needed to keep a gentle bubble.
- Add cheese: Once the sauce has thickened, stir in 1/4 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese until fully melted and smooth.
- Combine pasta and sauce: Turn off the heat and add the drained pasta to the pot with the sauce. Stir well to combine so that all the shells are coated in the creamy garlic parmesan sauce.
- Finish and serve: Taste the pasta and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if necessary. Let the pasta sit for 5 minutes to allow the sauce to thicken slightly before serving warm.
Notes
- Use gluten free flour to keep this recipe gluten free; otherwise, all-purpose flour works fine.
- Milk can be any kind: dairy, almond, soy, or oat milk, depending on preference.
- Watch the garlic carefully when sautéing to prevent burning, which can cause bitterness.
- For vegetarian version, substitute chicken broth with vegetable broth.
- Leftovers keep well in the refrigerator for 2-3 days and reheat gently on the stovetop.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: creamy garlic shells, mini shell pasta, garlic parmesan pasta, quick pasta recipe, gluten free pasta, easy weeknight dinner, creamy pasta sauce
