Creamy Garlic Shrimp Pasta
Creamy Garlic Shrimp Pasta is a quick, comforting, and flavorful dish combining tender shrimp sautéed in garlic and olive oil with a luscious garlic-infused cream sauce. Tossed with perfectly cooked fettuccine or linguine, this rich and satisfying meal is ideal for busy weeknights and features easy-to-find ingredients that bring bold, Italian-inspired flavors to your table.
- Author: Mary
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Contains Dairy and Shellfish
Shrimp and Pasta
- 12 oz fresh or frozen peeled and deveined shrimp
- 8 oz fettuccine or linguine pasta
Sauce
- 3 tbsp butter
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 4 cloves fresh garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 3/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Garnish
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook your fettuccine or linguine according to package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta, reserving 1 cup of pasta water, and set aside.
- Sauté the Shrimp: Heat olive oil and butter in a large pan over medium-high heat. Add the shrimp, season with salt and pepper, and cook until pink and opaque, about 2 minutes per side. Remove shrimp from the pan and set aside.
- Prepare the Garlic Cream Sauce: Lower the heat to medium and add minced garlic to the same pan. Sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute, careful not to brown it. Pour in the heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer, stirring frequently.
- Add Parmesan and Seasonings: Stir in freshly grated Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to taste. If the sauce becomes too thick, add reserved pasta water gradually to reach desired consistency.
- Combine Shrimp and Pasta: Return the cooked shrimp to the pan and toss to coat evenly in the sauce. Add the drained pasta and gently mix everything together, ensuring each strand is coated with the creamy sauce.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from heat and sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley for freshness and color. Serve immediately while warm, enjoying the rich and decadent flavors.
Notes
- Use fresh shrimp for the best texture and flavor.
- Do not overcook shrimp to avoid toughness; remove as soon as it turns pink.
- Reserve pasta water to loosen sauce without thinning its richness.
- Use fresh minced garlic rather than pre-minced for vibrant flavor.
- Grate Parmesan cheese freshly for smoother melting and better sauce integration.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 550 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 220 mg
Keywords: creamy garlic shrimp pasta, quick shrimp pasta, garlic cream sauce, weeknight dinner, Italian pasta dish