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    Home » Shrimp Recipes

    Applebee's Shrimp and Broccoli with Pasta

    Published: Jul 26, 2015 Last updated: May 23, 2022 by Shelby Law Ruttan · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

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    A copycat recipe for Applebee's Shrimp Broccoli Cavatappi. A light creamy Alfredo sauce coats pasta that is tossed with broccoli and topped with grilled shrimp, Parmesan cheese and lemon zest.
    Pin image for shrimp broccoli cavatappi

    This Shrimp and Broccoli with Pasta is a seafood dish served in a light alfredo sauce and topped with grilled seasoned shrimp. This is an Applebee's Copycat recipe from an older (now retired) healthier recipe for Shrimp Broccoli Cavatappi, and now you can make it right at home!

    When dinner needs to be quick, easy, and healthy, making a pasta recipe is one of the best ways to accomplish the task. This Shrimp Broccoli Pasta dish is a low fat satisfying dinner recipe that you will feel good about serving the whole family.

    Pinnable image for Shrimp and Broccoli with Pasta.
    Jump to:
    • ❤️ Why you'll love it
    • 🥘 Ingredients
    • 🔪 Instructions
    • 🥄 Equipment
    • 🥫Storage
    • 📖 Variations
    • 💭 Tips
    • 📚 Related Recipes
    • 🍽 Serve with…
    • 🏫 The last word
    • 📖 Recipe
    • 💬 Comments

    ❤️ Why you'll love it

    ✔️ One generous serving is only 350 calories and 14 grams of fat.

    ✔️ You can have a restaurant quality meal right at home in just 30 minutes!

    ✔️ This creamy shrimp pasta is super satisfying and its lower calorie content leaves room for dessert!

    🥘 Ingredients

    Medium to large shrimp, I buy raw, peeled and deveined shrimp

    Cavatappi pasta, this is my preferred pasta, but others will work (see variations)

    Broccoli florets, save time and buy just the crowns.

    Extra virgin olive oil (or butter)

    Garlic cloves, I buy the whole cloves and press them myself.

    Low-fat milk the main ingredient in the sauce

    Flour, this thickens the alfredo sauce

    Fresh Grated Parmesan cheese, added for flavor

    ⅓ less fat cream cheese, added for creaminess.

    Fresh ground black pepper, Salt to season the recipe

    Crushed red pepper flakes (optional)

    A bowl of dried cavatappi.

    🔪 Instructions

    Cook the shrimp

    1. Cook shrimp on hot grill or grill pan for 2 minutes on each side until pink. Remove from the skillet and set aside.

    Cook the pasta

    1. Cook pasta according to package instructions until just al dente. Remove pasta from water by scooping out with a slotted spoon into colander.
    2. Return pasta water to stove and blanch broccoli for 5 minutes. Strain broccoli into a colander and rinse immediately with cold water to stop broccoli from cooking.

    Make the alfredo sauce

    1. Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute, stirring frequently, until broccoli is lightly browned.
    2. Whisk flour into the butter garlic mixture and cook for 2 minutes. Gradually stir in milk, whisking constantly to prevent lumps. Cook the alfredo sauce for 6 minutes or until mixture thickens, stirring constantly.
    3. Stir 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, cream cheese, and salt, stirring with a whisk until cheeses melt.
    4. Toss sauce with hot pasta and broccoli.
    5. Top with cooked shrimp and sprinkle with remaining ¼ cup Parmesan cheese, a squeeze of lemon juice, and lemon zest.
    6. Season with salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using).
    Grilled shrimp on a teal plate.

    🥄 Equipment

    Large pot

    Large skillet

    Slotted spoon

    Colander

    Flat head wooden spoon

    Measuring cups

    Hand whisk

    🥫Storage

    Store any leftover Shrimp and Broccoli with Pasta in an airtight container in the fridge up to 3 days.

    📖 Variations

    • Substitute frozen broccoli for the fresh broccoli florets.
    • Chicken broth can be substituted for the low fat milk.
    • Instead of grilling, saute shrimp in a saucepan over medium heat in a non-stick frying pan coated with cooking spray.
    Shrimp and Broccoli with Pasta in a skillet tossed with alfredo sauce and a serving spoon in the dish.

    💭 Tips

    Choose a pasta shape that is almost the same size as the shrimp and one that has curls or ridges to allow the sauce to nest in the pasta.

    📚 Related Recipes

    Quick and Easy Chicken Alfredo is creamy and delicious and a family favorite.

    Cinnabon lovers will want to try this Copycat Cinnabon Recipe!

    Meat Lovers Skillet Pizza - Pizza Hut Copycat, made in a cast iron skillet!

    🍽 Serve with…

    Serve this creamy shrimp broccoli pasta with a green side salad topped with your favorite salad dressing.

    🏫 The last word

    My preferred pasta for this shrimp recipe is cavatappi. Cavatappi pasta is a hollow tube that looks like a corkscrew. Other pasta types that would work well in this recipe would be bow tie pasta or campanelle pasta.

    One serving of seafood alfredo with broccoli.

    Don't forget to check out my Amazon storefront for some of my favorite products!

    When you make this recipe, please comment below and let me know what you think. I'd love it if you tag me on Instagram @grumpyshoneybunch or #grumpyshoneybunch so I can see your photos!

    If you love this recipe, please leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating

    📖 Recipe

    Shrimp Broccoli Cavatappi

    Shelby Law Ruttan
    A copycat recipe for Applebee's Shrimp Broccoli Cavatappi. A light creamy Alfredo sauce coats pasta that is tossed with broccoli and topped with grilled shrimp, Parmesan cheese and lemon zest.
    4.75 from 4 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Go to Collections
    Prep Time 15 mins
    Cook Time 25 mins
    Total Time 40 mins
    Course Main Dish
    Cuisine Italian
    Servings 4
    Calories 349 kcal

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 pound shrimp , peeled and deveined
    • 2 cups dried pasta , preferably cavatappi
    • 2 cups broccoli florets
    • 1 tablespoon butter
    • 2 cloves garlic , minced
    • 1⅓ cups 1% milk
    • 2 tablespoons flour
    • 1¼ cups freshly grated Parmesan cheese
    • 2 tablespoons ⅓ less fat cream cheese
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
    • red pepper flakes , to taste

    Instructions
     

    Cook the shrimp

    • Cook shrimp on hot grill or grill pan for 2 minutes on each side until pink. Remove from the skillet and set aside.

    Cook the pasta

    • Cook pasta according to package instructions until just al dente. Remove pasta from water by scooping out with a slotted spoon into colander.Return pasta water to stove and blanch broccoli for 5 minutes. Strain broccoli into a colander and rinse immediately with cold water to stop broccoli from cooking.

    Make the alfredo sauce

    • Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute, stirring frequently, until broccoli is lightly browned.
    • Whisk flour into the butter garlic mixture and cook for 2 minutes. Gradually stir in milk, whisking constantly to prevent lumps. Cook the alfredo sauce for 6 minutes or until mixture thickens, stirring constantly.
    • Stir 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, cream cheese, and salt, stirring with a whisk until cheeses melt.
    • Toss sauce with hot pasta and broccoli.Top with cooked shrimp and sprinkle with remaining ¼ cup Parmesan cheese, a squeeze of lemon juice, and lemon zest.Season with salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using).

    Nutrition

    Calories: 349kcalCarbohydrates: 38gProtein: 18gFat: 14gSaturated Fat: 8gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 43mgSodium: 935mgPotassium: 426mgFiber: 2gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 838IUVitamin C: 41mgCalcium: 420mgIron: 1mg
    Keyword Broccoli, Pasta, shrimp, Shrimp Broccoli Cavatappi
    Tried this recipe?Mention @grumpyshoneybunch or tag #grumpyshoneybunch!

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    About Shelby Law Ruttan

    Shelby is the author/owner of Grumpy's Honeybunch. Established in 2007, she shares and preserves family recipes as well as recipes for cooking light and keto. She has authored the One-Pot Paleo Cookbook and The Pescatarian Keto Cookbook. She is an experienced, self-taught home cook who loves to share recipes with others. She also authors the websites Honeybunch Hunts and The Best Vegetarian Recipes. You can see her work on websites such as Veal Made Easy, Parade, Community Table, SoFab Food, Yummly, and FoodGawker.

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Michelle W

      September 18, 2015 at 11:20 am

      This is one of my favorite dishes at Applebee's. I can't wait to try your recipe!! And your shrimp look divine!!

      Reply
      • mreeanne

        October 13, 2016 at 8:45 pm

        We just made this tonight and it was great! One thing though, how much flour do you put in it?

        Reply
        • Shelby

          October 14, 2016 at 10:10 pm

          Sorry about that! I updated the recipe, I would use about 2 tablespoons of flour, enough to thicken the sauce. Glad you enjoyed it!

    2. Stephanie @CopyKat.com

      August 07, 2015 at 5:30 pm

      I love this recipe. It is simple, I have everything on hand, I would love to try this recipe this weekend!

      Reply
    3. Marion@LifeTastesGood

      July 31, 2015 at 10:03 am

      This looks sooo good, Shelby! I love everything in it, and I'm sure making it at home with the freshest of ingredients is so much better than going out. Thanks for sharing!

      Reply
    4. Constance Smith

      July 28, 2015 at 3:28 pm

      Looks delicious!!

      Reply
    5. Nora

      July 28, 2015 at 10:21 am

      This looks so delicious Shelby!

      Reply
    6. Teri@The Freshman Cook

      July 27, 2015 at 7:57 am

      This looks really good and tasty! I have not had this at Applebee's, but now I want to try yours! Great recipe!

      Reply
    7. Valerie Cathell Clark

      July 26, 2015 at 9:06 pm

      This looks like perfect #comfortfood to me! I may have to make this dish for my parents this week!

      Reply
    8. Sarah E.

      July 26, 2015 at 4:50 pm

      I like the challenge that restaurants give with only giving pictures and descriptions - it's so much fun to come up with the recipes and try and get them close to the real thing 🙂 This looks amazing, Shelby! My kids love shrimp and would probably devour this in no time!

      Reply
    9. DB, Foodie Stuntman | Crazy Foodie Stunts

      July 26, 2015 at 2:27 pm

      I don't patronize Applebee's very often but now I don't have to with this pasta dish! It looks delicious!

      Reply
    10. Chris Baccus

      July 26, 2015 at 12:15 pm

      The last photo looks amazing (the others look good too.) Will have to try it soon.

      Reply
    11. Liz

      July 26, 2015 at 11:06 am

      Boy, does your pasta look irresistible! Those shrimp are grilled to perfection!!!

      Reply

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    Welcome! I'm Shelby Law Ruttan, I'm a mom, grandmother, and cookbook author for HoneyB's Kitchen who started blogging family recipes in 2007 for.... 

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