February 11, 2021

Easy Shrimp and Broccoli with Pasta

This Easy Shrimp and Broccoli with Pasta dish makes a healthy family dinner. Perfect for an everyday meal or special occasion.

To make this Easy Shrimp and Broccoli with Pasta recipe into a Valentine’s Day themed dish, you’ll need heart shaped pasta. I got mines at Aldi’s. You can also find them on Amazon.

If you cannot find heart-shaped pasta anywhere, any pasta will do for Valentine’s Day. Farfelle (bow-tie), Orecchiette, Campanelle, and Fettucine are all great options for a special meal.

On a regular dinner night I make this using whole grain pasta. Its healthy and lowers the smart-points. To please my picky eaters I sometimes leave out the tomatoes or I switch from broccoli to cauliflower. Any veggie would work. Like to meal-prep? This meal makes a great one! Just cool completely and store in your meal prep containers. Actually, the longer this meal sits the better it gets!

Easy Shrimp and Broccoli with Pasta…using whole grain pasta.

Serving size and smart-points

This meal serves 4 large servings at 1 3/4 cup per serving. Using whole grain pasta this healthy and easy dish is only 1 smart-point on Purple, 6 smart- points on Blue and 7 smart-points on Green myWW plan. Regular pasta 7 smart-points on Blue and Purple, 8 smart-points on Green. You can easily break this up into smaller servings for less points if desired.

Ingredients needed

8 oz. Pasta- your favorite shape or whole grain
12 oz. bag Shrimp- frozen or fresh
3 cups Broccoli florets
1 cup Cherry tomatoes- cut in halves
2 tsp Olive oil
1 tbsp. Light butter- Land O Lakes light butter or Land O Lakes Whipped Butter
1/4 tsp Salt
1/4 tsp Pepper
1 tsp Italian Seasoning
1/2 tsp Parsley -dried or fresh
2 cloves Garlic – grated finely
4 tbsp. Parmesan cheese-freshly grated
Lemon wedges
1/4 tsp dried red pepper flakes- optional

Directions

In large pot heat water with salt until it comes to a boil for pasta. Cook pasta until aldente (8-10 minutes). Add broccoli florets to pasta 2 minutes before pasta is done.

In the mean time while pasta is cooking, heat a large skillet on medium high and add oil and butter. Once melted turn down to medium low heat.

Add grated garlic and stir gently, keeping the heat on low so garlic does not burn for about 30 seconds.

Add shrimp, cherry tomatoes, salt, black pepper, Italian seasoning, parsley and if using red pepper flakes add at this point. Stir well and let cook about 2-3 minutes on each side.

Add Broccoli and pasta to shrimp once done

Sprinkle with parmesan, parsley and a squeeze of lemon.

[lt_recipe name=”Easy Shrimp and Broccoli with Pasta” servings=”4″ prep_time=”5M” cook_time=”15M” total_time=”25M” difficulty=”EASY” summary=”Easy and healthy Shrimp with Broccoli and Pasta makes for a great week night dinner or special occasion. ” print=”yes” ingredients=”8 oz. uncooked pasta;12 oz. bag frozen shrimp- small-medium;3 cups broccoli florets- fresh;1 cup cherry tomatoes- cut in halves;2 tsp olive oil;1 tbsp. light butter;1/4 tsp salt;1/4 tsp black pepper;1 tsp Italian seasoning;1/2 tsp dried parsley;2 cloves garlic- finely grated;1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional);4 tbsp. parmesan cheese- freshly grated;Lemon wedges;” ]In a large pot, heat water with salt until it comes to a boil. Add pasta and cook until aldente (8-10 minutes). Add broccoli florets 2 minutes before pasta is done.;While pasta is cooking, heat a large skillet on medium-high heat. Add oil and butter until melted. Turn down to medium-low heat.;Add grated garlic and stir around for about 30 seconds.;Add shrimp, cherry tomatoes, salt, black pepper, Italian seasoning, parsley, red pepper flakes and stir well.;Cook shrimp for about 2-3 minutes per side. ;Add pasta and broccoli, stir. ;Top with parmesan cheese, parsley and a squeeze of lemon.[/lt_recipe]