Description
Creamy Marry Me Shrimp Pasta is a luscious and flavorful dish combining tender linguine tossed in a rich, garlicky cream sauce with succulent sautéed shrimp and sun-dried tomatoes. This quick and easy 30-minute recipe is perfect for an impressive dinner that brings Italian-inspired comfort food right to your table.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 oz linguine or spaghetti
Shrimp
- 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Sauce
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Garnish
- Fresh basil leaves
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the linguine or spaghetti and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta, reserving 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water, and set aside.
- Sauté Shrimp: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Season the peeled and deveined shrimp with salt and pepper. Cook the shrimp for 2-3 minutes on each side until they turn pink and opaque. Remove them from the skillet and set aside.
- Sauté Garlic: In the same skillet, add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant, ensuring it doesn’t brown or burn.
- Prepare Sauce: Add the heavy cream, chicken broth, grated Parmesan cheese, chopped sun-dried tomatoes, Italian seasoning, and crushed red pepper flakes (if using) to the skillet. Stir and let the sauce simmer gently for 4-5 minutes until it thickens slightly.
- Toss Pasta in Sauce: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet with the sauce. Toss to coat the noodles completely. Use the reserved pasta water a little at a time if the sauce needs thinning to reach your desired consistency.
- Combine Shrimp and Pasta: Return the cooked shrimp to the skillet and stir everything together. Cook for another 2 minutes to heat the shrimp through and allow flavors to meld.
- Finish and Serve: Taste the dish and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed. Garnish with fresh basil leaves and serve warm for a creamy, satisfying meal.
Notes
- For a spicier kick, increase the amount of crushed red pepper flakes or add a pinch of cayenne pepper.
- Substitute chicken broth with vegetable broth for a lighter flavor or if you want a pescatarian option.
- If you prefer a thicker sauce, simmer a bit longer or add a small amount of cornstarch slurry.
- For gluten-free pasta, substitute linguine or spaghetti with your preferred gluten-free pasta variety.
- Sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil will add extra richness; drain them if you want to reduce oiliness.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan for best flavor and smoother melting in sauce.
