Description
Marry Me Shrimp Pasta is a creamy, flavorful dish featuring succulent shrimp in a rich sauce made from cream, sun-dried tomatoes, and Parmesan cheese, tossed with perfectly cooked pasta. Quick to make in about 30 minutes, it’s a gourmet meal ideal for date nights, special occasions, or satisfying weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
Shrimp & Protein
- 1 pound fresh or frozen shrimp, peeled and deveined
Oil & Aromatics
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
Sauce Components
- 1/3 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Herbs & Seasoning
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
Pasta
- 8 ounces fettuccine, linguine, or preferred pasta
Instructions
- Prepare the Pasta: Cook the pasta in salted boiling water until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Drain the pasta, reserving 1 cup of pasta water to adjust the sauce later if needed.
- Sauté the Shrimp: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Lightly season the shrimp with salt and pepper. Cook shrimp about 2 minutes per side until pink and opaque. Remove shrimp from skillet and set aside.
- Build the Sauce: In the same skillet, add minced garlic and red pepper flakes. Sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in chopped sun-dried tomatoes, then pour in the heavy cream. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
- Add Cheese and Seasonings: Sprinkle freshly grated Parmesan cheese into the sauce, stirring until it melts into a smooth, creamy texture. If the sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water a little at a time to reach desired consistency.
- Combine Everything: Return cooked shrimp and drained pasta to the skillet. Toss gently to evenly coat with the creamy sauce. Finish by stirring in fresh chopped basil for brightness and flavor.
Notes
- Don’t Overcook Shrimp: Cook shrimp just until pink for a tender texture.
- Reserve Pasta Water: Starchy water helps balance and thicken the sauce perfectly.
- Use Fresh Parmesan: Fresh grated cheese melts smoothly and enhances flavor.
- Adjust Spice Level: Add red pepper flakes gradually to suit your heat preference.
- Fresh Herbs Matter: Add basil at the end to preserve its fresh aromatic flavor.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 480 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 550 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 220 mg
Keywords: shrimp pasta, creamy shrimp pasta, marry me shrimp, quick shrimp dinner, easy pasta recipe, Italian pasta with shrimp
