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Marry Me Shrimp Pasta

Marry Me Shrimp Pasta
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Marry Me Shrimp Pasta is a creamy, flavorful, and easy-to-make dish that combines succulent shrimp with a luscious tomato cream sauce and tender pasta. Ready in under 30 minutes, this recipe offers a perfect balance of comfort and elegance, making it ideal for cozy dinners, dinner parties, or romantic meals. The rich, silky sauce enhanced by sun-dried tomatoes, fresh herbs, and a subtle spicy kick elevates simple ingredients into a spectacular and irresistible dish.

Ingredients

Shrimp and Seasoning

  • Fresh, peeled, and deveined shrimp (about 1 lb)
  • Salt, to taste
  • Black pepper, to taste
  • Olive oil (2 tbsp)

Sauce

  • Garlic, minced (3 cloves)
  • Crushed red pepper flakes (1/4 to 1/2 tsp, adjust to taste)
  • Sun-dried tomatoes, chopped (1/3 cup)
  • Tomato paste (2 tbsp)
  • Heavy cream (1 cup)
  • Parmesan cheese, freshly grated (1/2 cup)
  • Fresh basil, chopped (1/4 cup)

Pasta

  • Fettuccine or linguine (12 oz), cooked according to package instructions

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Shrimp: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Season shrimp lightly with salt and pepper, then sauté for 2-3 minutes per side until pink and cooked through. Remove shrimp from skillet and set aside.
  2. Build the Sauce: In the same skillet, add minced garlic and crushed red pepper flakes, cooking until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Stir in chopped sun-dried tomatoes and tomato paste, allowing them to blend and caramelize slightly for rich flavor, about 2 minutes.
  3. Add Cream and Cheese: Pour in heavy cream, stirring continuously as the sauce thickens gently. Gradually add grated Parmesan cheese, mixing until melted and smooth to create a luxurious texture. Keep heat low to avoid curdling.
  4. Combine Shrimp and Pasta: Toss the cooked shrimp back into the sauce. Add freshly cooked pasta, coating each strand evenly with the sauce. Fold in chopped fresh basil for a bright herbal lift.
  5. Season and Serve: Taste the sauce and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed. Serve immediately, garnished with extra Parmesan and basil leaves. Optionally, drizzle with extra virgin olive oil.

Notes

  • Use fresh or properly thawed shrimp for best texture and flavor.
  • Do not overcook shrimp; remove as soon as they turn pink to avoid rubberiness.
  • Simmer the sauce gently to prevent cream and cheese from curdling.
  • Reserve pasta cooking water to loosen the sauce if it becomes too thick.
  • Add fresh basil at the end to preserve its brightness and color.
  • For dairy-free options, substitute heavy cream with coconut milk or cashew cream and use a dairy-free Parmesan alternative.
  • This recipe can be customized with other proteins like chicken or scallops, and additional vegetables such as spinach, zucchini, or roasted red peppers.

Nutrition

Keywords: Shrimp pasta, creamy shrimp pasta, Marry Me Shrimp Pasta, quick shrimp dinner, tomato cream sauce, fettuccine shrimp, easy pasta recipe

Find it online: https://marybaking.com/marry-me-shrimp-pasta/