Description
Indulge in the irresistible flavors of this creamy Marry Me Shrimp Pasta, where tender shrimp, a rich sun-dried tomato cream sauce, and perfectly cooked pasta come together to create a dish that might just make you say “I do!” Whether it’s for a special occasion or a weeknight treat, this flavorful pasta is bound to impress.
Ingredients
1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon red chili flakes (optional, for heat)
Salt and black pepper, to taste
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons butter
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup chicken or vegetable broth
1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
Salt and pepper, to taste
Fresh basil leaves, chopped (for garnish)
12 ounces pasta (linguine, fettuccine, or spaghetti)
Salt, for boiling water
Instructions
- Prepare the shrimp: In a bowl, toss the shrimp with smoked paprika, garlic powder, chili flakes (if using), salt, and pepper.
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook the shrimp for 2-3 minutes per side until they are pink and opaque. Remove the shrimp from the skillet and set them aside.
- Cook the pasta: Boil the pasta in salted water according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water, then drain and set aside.
- Make the sauce: In the same skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Stir in the sun-dried tomatoes and cook for 1 minute. Then, add the chicken broth and bring to a simmer.
- Lower the heat and stir in the heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes. Simmer gently for 3-5 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken slightly.
- Combine the pasta: Add the cooked pasta to the sauce and toss to coat. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of reserved pasta water to loosen it.
- Add the shrimp: Return the shrimp to the skillet and toss gently to combine. Cook for an additional 1-2 minutes to warm everything through.
- Garnish and serve: Garnish with freshly chopped basil and extra Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Notes
- For extra flavor, sauté the shrimp in sun-dried tomato oil instead of olive oil.
- Add a squeeze of lemon juice to the sauce for a fresh, zesty kick.
- For a spicier dish, increase the amount of red chili flakes or add a few dashes of hot sauce to the sauce.
- To make this recipe gluten-free, use gluten-free pasta.
- For a vegetarian option, replace the shrimp with sautéed mushrooms or roasted vegetables like zucchini and bell peppers.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20–25 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Pan-fried, Boiled
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 600
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 1200mg
- Fat: 32g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 33g
- Cholesterol: 200mg
