Description
This 25-Minute Creamy Garlic Shrimp Pasta is a rich, flavorful dish featuring tender shrimp, garlic, and a luscious Parmesan cream sauce. It’s the perfect quick and easy weeknight meal that feels like a gourmet dinner. Serve it with your favorite pasta for a restaurant-quality dish at home!
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 ounces pasta (spaghetti, linguine, or fettuccine)
- 1 pound raw shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 4–5 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional garnishes:
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
- Cook the pasta until al dente according to package instructions.
- Reserve ½ cup of pasta water, then drain and set aside.
- Sauté the Shrimp
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add shrimp, season with salt and pepper, and cook for 2-3 minutes per side until pink and opaque.
- Remove from the skillet and set aside.
- Make the Garlic Cream Sauce
- In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat.
- Add minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Pour in the heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer.
- Stir in the Parmesan cheese, whisking until smooth and creamy.
- Combine Everything
- Return the shrimp to the skillet and toss in the cooked pasta.
- Add a splash of reserved pasta water if needed to loosen the sauce.
- Garnish & Serve
- Sprinkle with red pepper flakes, fresh parsley, and a squeeze of lemon juice.
- Serve immediately and enjoy!
Notes
- Use Fresh Parmesan: It melts better than pre-grated cheese.
- Don’t Overcook the Shrimp: Shrimp cooks quickly, so remove it from the heat once it turns pink.
- Adjust the Sauce: Add extra cream for a richer sauce or pasta water for a thinner consistency.
- Make It Spicy: Add extra red pepper flakes for heat.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American