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.
- Author: Nina
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian-American
- Diet: Gluten Free (if gluten-free pasta used)
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)
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 220mg
Keywords: shrimp pasta, creamy shrimp pasta, marry me shrimp pasta, easy shrimp recipe, quick pasta dinner