Description
Creamy marry me shrimp pasta promises culinary romance with its luxurious blend of succulent shrimp and rich garlic parmesan sauce. Romantic dinner guests will swoon over this easy, restaurant-quality meal that delivers maximum flavor in minimal time.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 pound (454 grams) large shrimp, peeled and deveined
Pasta:
- 12 ounces (340 grams) spaghetti or fettuccine
Main Sauce and Seasonings:
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) heavy cream
- 1/2 cup (50 grams) grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) olive oil
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/4 cup (40 grams) sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
- Fresh basil for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare pasta according to package directions, carefully reserving 1 cup of starchy cooking liquid, then set aside.
- Warm olive oil in a spacious skillet over medium-high heat, introducing seasoned shrimp and cooking until they transform to a vibrant pink and become translucent, approximately 2-3 minutes per side. Transfer cooked shrimp to a separate plate.
- Using the identical skillet, sauté minced garlic until its aromatic essence fills the kitchen, roughly 30-45 seconds.
- Introduce rich heavy cream, grated Parmesan, tangy sun-dried tomatoes, aromatic Italian herbs, and fiery red pepper flakes. Allow the mixture to gently simmer, reducing and thickening for 3-4 minutes.
- Incorporate the prepared pasta into the creamy sauce, carefully tossing to ensure even coating. Modulate sauce consistency by gradually incorporating reserved pasta water as needed.
- Reunite the perfectly cooked shrimp with the pasta, gently folding to ensure each morsel is luxuriously enrobed in the velvety sauce.
- Elevate the dish with a vibrant garnish of freshly torn basil leaves, then serve piping hot for maximum flavor and enjoyment.
Notes
- Select large, fresh shrimp for the best flavor and texture, ensuring they’re deveined and cleaned thoroughly before cooking.
- Use high-quality Parmesan cheese and grate it fresh for a more intense, creamy sauce that melts smoothly into the pasta.
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or Greek yogurt to reduce calories while maintaining richness.
- Customize the heat level by adjusting red pepper flakes – add more for extra kick or omit completely for a milder dish that suits sensitive palates.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 470 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 480 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 44 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 33 g
- Cholesterol: 165 mg