Shrimp Broccoli Pasta

There’s no shortage of ways to cook shrimp. Dress them up with something impressive, as with these eye-catching shrimp tartlets. Or keep things casual with an easy shrimp recipe, as with our shrimp broccoli pasta.

We love using shrimp as a main protein because they cook in a snap, and they pair with just about any vegetable, sauce and starch. If you buy frozen shrimp already cleaned, you can always keep some on hand for last-minute quick dinner recipes, too.

Shrimp and pasta are a natural pairing together, from pesto shrimp pasta to curry shrimp linguine. In our shrimp and broccoli pasta dish, shrimp are quickly cooked in a simple pan sauce with butter and broccoli, then tossed with bow tie pasta. Voila! It’s a great dish to customize according to your tastes and what you have on hand, and it’s perfect for nights when you need a fast, tasty meal.

Ingredients for Shrimp Broccoli Pasta

• Shrimp: Many types of shrimp work for this recipe, but medium-sized peeled and deveined shrimp are easiest to work with. If they’re not already peeled and deveined, our primer walks you through how to clean shrimp.
• Broccoli: Use fresh broccoli florets for this dish, chopped into bite-sized pieces. If you aren’t able to get fresh broccoli, you can substitute it with frozen broccoli or fresh Broccolini.
• Pasta: This recipe calls for farfalle pasta, but other pasta shapes with curves or crevices work well. You want something for the sauce to stick to.
• Garlic and onion: Garlic and onion are the backbone of the flavor in many dishes, including this one. Don’t skip out on fresh garlic and onion here; powdered versions just don’t do the trick. Jarred or frozen garlic is fine if you don’t want to peel garlic yourself.
• Olive oil and butter: When it comes to cooking oils, olive oil adds a lot of flavor to a dish, but butter and olive oil are a magical combination when used together. The butter helps add a creaminess that’s perfect for shrimp.
• Parmesan: Finish the dish with a heavy hand of grated Parmesan over the top. It melts into the shrimp pasta and gives it that perfect salty finish. You can substitute Grana Padano or pecorino Romano for an equally delicious final touch.

Directions

Step 1: Cook the pasta

Cook the pasta according to package directions.

Editor’s Tip: Save a splash of pasta water to add to the broccoli in Step 2. It helps make a delicious and creamy sauce.

Step 2: Saute the shrimp and broccoli

In a large nonstick skillet, saute the onion and garlic in butter and oil until tender. Add broccoli and salt, then cook over medium-high heat for eight minutes, continuing to stir. Add the shrimp, and cook for two to three minutes longer or until the shrimp turn pink and the broccoli is tender.

Step 3: Toss and serve

Drain the pasta, and transfer to a large serving bowl. Add the shrimp mixture, and toss gently. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.

Taste Recipes

Shrimp Broccoli Pasta Variations

• Change up the vegetables: This is a great recipe to make your own. In lieu of broccoli, try other cruciferous vegetables like cauliflower or kale, or even whatever you have on hand in your crisper drawer. Asparagus and shrimp is another winning combo.
• Different pasta shapes: There are lots of pasta shapes to choose from if you want to change things up or use up whatever you have in the pantry. See how the dish changes if you go for a longer noodle type like linguine or bucatini. You can also use fresh homemade pasta if you want to elevate this dish, anything from linguine to spaghetti to orecchiette.
• Add lemon for brightness: I hardly make anything without adding a splash of fresh lemon juice. The acidity rounds out the flavors of the sauce and makes it pop! Try lemon zest, too, for a punch of color and brightness.
• Add some spice: For a little heat, add crushed red pepper flakes while you cook the onion, or even some minced jalapeno. This would also be delicious served with plenty of freshly cracked pepper on top.

How to Store Shrimp Broccoli Pasta

Store your shrimp and broccoli pasta in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. We do not recommend freezing this dish because the textures don’t hold up well.

Shrimp Broccoli Pasta Tips

Taste Recipes

How do you know when the shrimp is done cooking?

Shrimp cooks very quickly, just a minute or two per side. You’ll know they’re done when they turn pink and opaque, are just firm to the touch, and curl into a C shape. If they’re an O shape, they may be overcooked.

Can you use frozen broccoli for shrimp broccoli pasta?

Yes, you can use frozen broccoli in shrimp broccoli pasta. Frozen broccoli will just need less time to cook than fresh. No need to defrost it; just toss it in a hot pan to cook.

What can you serve with shrimp and broccoli pasta?

This dish is a meal in and of itself, but you can serve a garden salad or one of our delicious side salads with it. It also goes great with garlic bread and homemade rolls.