Description
Creamy Marry Me Shrimp Pasta is a luscious, flavorful dish combining tender shrimp, sun-dried tomatoes, and a rich Parmesan cream sauce tossed with perfectly cooked fettuccine or linguine. This Italian-inspired recipe is quick to prepare and makes for an impressive and comforting main course that’s perfect for dinner occasions.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 12 oz pasta (fettuccine or linguine)
- 1 lb large shrimp (peeled and deveined)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes (drained and chopped)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup chicken broth
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil or parsley (for garnish)
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Reserve ½ cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta and set it aside.
- Cook Shrimp: In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Season the shrimp with salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning. Add the shrimp to the skillet and cook for 1 to 2 minutes per side until the shrimp turn pink and opaque. Remove shrimp from the skillet and set aside.
- Sauté Aromatics: Lower the heat to medium. In the same skillet, add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes. Sauté for about 30 seconds, just until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
- Add Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Simmer: Stir in the chopped sun-dried tomatoes, then pour in the chicken broth. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
- Make Cream Sauce: Add the heavy cream and grated Parmesan cheese to the skillet. Stir continuously until the sauce becomes smooth and slightly thickened.
- Combine Pasta and Shrimp: Return the cooked shrimp and drained pasta to the skillet. Toss everything together until the pasta and shrimp are evenly coated with the creamy sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water to loosen it.
- Heat Through and Serve: Cook for an additional 1 to 2 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the dish to heat through evenly. Serve immediately, garnished with freshly chopped basil or parsley.
Notes
- For extra brightness and flavor, add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice or stir in a handful of spinach to the sauce.
- You can substitute half-and-half for heavy cream to make a lighter version of the sauce.
- This dish is best enjoyed fresh but can be gently reheated over low heat without compromising texture.
