Description
A rich, garlicky, and creamy weeknight dinner ready in just 30 minutes. This restaurant-quality shrimp pasta uses simple ingredients like parmesan, heavy cream, and fresh garlic for a delicious meal that the whole family will love.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound spaghetti or linguine
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 6–8 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1/4 cup dry white wine (optional)
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prep ingredients: Chop parsley, mince garlic, grate Parmesan, and pat shrimp dry with paper towels.
- Boil pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta until al dente. Before draining, reserve 1 cup of pasta water. Drain pasta and set aside.
- Sear shrimp: While pasta cooks, heat butter and olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add shrimp in a single layer, season with salt and pepper, and cook for 1-2 minutes per side until pink. Remove shrimp to a plate, leaving the butter in the pan.
- Build sauce: Reduce heat to medium. Add minced garlic and red pepper flakes to the pan; cook for 1 minute until fragrant but not brown. Pour in chicken broth and simmer for 2 minutes. Add heavy cream and simmer for 3-4 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Add cheese: Remove skillet from heat. Gradually stir in Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth. If too thick, add pasta water a tablespoon at a time.
- Combine: Return shrimp to the sauce to warm through. Add drained pasta and toss to coat. Adjust consistency with more pasta water if needed.
- Serve: Serve immediately topped with fresh parsley, extra Parmesan, and a drizzle of olive oil.
Notes
Save the starchy pasta water; it helps the sauce cling to the noodles. Do not overcook the shrimp or they will become rubbery. Always remove the pan from heat before adding cheese to prevent it from becoming grainy. For a lighter version, substitute half-and-half for heavy cream and reduce the Parmesan.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 3
- Sodium: 380
- Fat: 18
- Saturated Fat: 10
- Carbohydrates: 48
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 25
Keywords: shrimp pasta, creamy garlic parmesan, weeknight dinner, easy pasta recipe, 30 minute meals, seafood pasta, family dinner