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Marry Me Shrimp Pasta

Marry Me Shrimp Pasta

Marry Me Shrimp Pasta is a creamy, flavorful dish featuring tender jumbo shrimp and a luscious Parmesan cream sauce with sun-dried tomatoes and fresh herbs. Ready in about 30 minutes, it combines gourmet flavors with easy steps, making it perfect for quick weeknight dinners or special occasions.

Ingredients

Scale

Shrimp and Protein

  • 1 pound jumbo shrimp, peeled and deveined

Sauce Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1/4 cup chicken broth or white wine
  • 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes, plus extra to taste
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Pasta and Garnishes

  • 8 ounces fettuccine or linguine pasta
  • Fresh basil or parsley, chopped for garnish
  • Extra Parmesan cheese, for serving (optional)
  • Toasted pine nuts or breadcrumbs for garnish (optional)

Instructions

  1. Prepare your shrimp: Season the peeled and deveined shrimp with salt, pepper, and a pinch of red pepper flakes if desired. Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sauté the shrimp until pink and opaque, about 2 minutes per side. Remove shrimp from skillet and set aside to prevent overcooking.
  2. Create the flavorful base: In the same skillet, add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil if needed. Sauté minced garlic until fragrant but not browned, about 30 seconds to 1 minute. Stir in chopped sun-dried tomatoes and allow them to warm through, infusing their sweet, tangy flavor into the oil.
  3. Build the creamy sauce: Pour in heavy cream and a splash of chicken broth or white wine to deglaze the pan, scraping up any browned bits. Bring to a simmer, then add the freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Stir gently until melted and silky. Season the sauce with salt, pepper, and additional red pepper flakes to taste.
  4. Cook and combine pasta: Meanwhile, cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta, reserving a little pasta water. Toss the hot pasta into the creamy sauce, gently mixing to coat every strand. Add reserved pasta water as needed to loosen the sauce.
  5. Finish with shrimp and herbs: Return the cooked shrimp to the skillet with the pasta and sauce. Fold gently to warm the shrimp without overcooking. Sprinkle with fresh chopped basil or parsley before serving.

Notes

  • Don’t overcook shrimp: Cook just until pink for tender bites; shrimp will continue cooking when combined with pasta.
  • Use freshly grated Parmesan: It melts better and tastes more vibrant than pre-grated cheese.
  • Reserve pasta water: Adding a splash helps loosen thick sauce and helps it cling perfectly to pasta.
  • Simmer sauce gently: Avoid boiling cream to prevent curdling and maintain creamy texture.
  • Add herbs last: Fresh basil or parsley is best sprinkled on top to retain flavor and color.

Nutrition

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