Description
Creamy Marry Me Shrimp Pasta is a rich, flavorful dish that pairs tender shrimp with a silky Parmesan cream sauce, sun-dried tomatoes, and fresh basil. It’s perfect for weeknight dinners, date nights, or impressing guests with minimal effort. A quick and delicious one-pan pasta meal for seafood lovers.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz linguine or pasta of your choice
- 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the linguine until al dente, following the package instructions. Drain the pasta and set it aside, reserving a bit of the pasta water for later if needed.
- Sauté the Shrimp: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the shrimp, season with salt and pepper, and cook for about 2–3 minutes per side until they are pink and opaque. Remove the shrimp from the skillet and set them aside to avoid overcooking.
- Build the Flavor Base: In the same skillet, add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes, cooking for about a minute until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic, as it will turn bitter.
- Deglaze and Simmer: Add the chopped sun-dried tomatoes and chicken broth to the skillet, scraping up any flavorful browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Bring to a gentle simmer to allow the broth to reduce slightly.
- Make It Creamy: Pour in the heavy cream and let it simmer gently for 3–4 minutes, stirring occasionally. Avoid boiling to prevent the cream from separating. Stir in the Parmesan cheese until fully melted and the sauce is smooth and thickened.
- Combine Everything: Return the cooked shrimp to the pan along with the drained pasta. Toss to coat everything evenly in the creamy sauce. If the sauce is too thick, loosen it with a splash of the reserved pasta water.
- Finish and Serve: Stir in the chopped fresh basil just before serving to brighten the dish. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt, pepper, or cheese as needed.
Notes
- If you’re using pre-cooked shrimp, add them in just long enough to warm through, or they’ll become tough.
- To make this dish vegetarian, substitute shrimp with sautéed mushrooms or roasted vegetables like bell peppers and zucchini.
- For a dairy-free version, try using coconut cream and a vegan Parmesan alternative.
- Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days and reheated gently with a splash of cream or broth.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American, Italian-inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 generous portion
- Calories: 620
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 890mg
- Fat: 38g
- Saturated Fat: 19g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 215mg