Description
This creamy shrimp pasta recipe combines succulent sautéed shrimp with a rich, garlicky cream sauce and Parmesan cheese, all tossed perfectly with your favorite pasta. It’s a quick and elegant meal that can be prepared in just under 40 minutes, perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner or special occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 oz pasta
Shrimp
- 1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Sauce
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or butter for sautéing
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Sauté Shrimp and Garlic: In a large skillet, heat olive oil or butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant. Add the shrimp, season with salt and pepper, and cook until pink and opaque, about 3-4 minutes.
- Add Cream and Cheese: Reduce the heat to low and pour in the heavy cream. Stir well and let it simmer gently for 2-3 minutes. Gradually add the Parmesan cheese, stirring continuously, until the sauce thickens and becomes creamy. Adjust seasoning as needed.
- Toss with Pasta: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet with the creamy shrimp sauce. Toss everything together until the pasta is evenly coated with the sauce. Serve immediately, garnished with extra Parmesan if desired.
Notes
- For best flavor, use freshly grated Parmesan cheese instead of pre-grated.
- You can substitute heavy cream with half-and-half for a lighter version, but the sauce will be less rich.
- Shrimp can be replaced with scallops or chicken if preferred.
- Adding fresh parsley or crushed red pepper flakes can give the dish an extra flavor boost.
- Be careful not to overcook the shrimp to keep them tender and juicy.
