Description
Marry Me Shrimp Pasta is a creamy, flavorful dish featuring perfectly cooked shrimp in a rich tomato cream sauce with sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, and Parmesan cheese. Tossed with your choice of pasta, this quick and indulgent meal is ideal for weeknight dinners or special occasions.
Ingredients
Scale
Grains & Pasta
- 12 ounces pasta such as penne, rigatoni, or fettuccine
Shrimp
- 1 pound medium or large shrimp, peeled and deveined
Fats & Oils
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoons butter, divided
Vegetables & Aromatics
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small shallot or 1/2 small onion, finely chopped
- 1/3 cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes
Condiments & Seasonings
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes, or more to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, plus more for pasta water
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Liquids & Dairy
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 3/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Herbs & Finishes
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil or parsley
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice, optional
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta until al dente according to package directions. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta water, then drain and set the pasta aside.
- Prepare Shrimp: Pat the shrimp dry with paper towels and season them with salt and black pepper.
- Cook Shrimp: Heat olive oil and 1 tablespoon of butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the shrimp and cook for 1 to 2 minutes per side until they turn pink and lightly golden. Remove the shrimp from the skillet and set aside.
- Sauté Aromatics: Reduce heat to medium. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon butter, then sauté the shallot (or onion) for 2 to 3 minutes until softened. Stir in minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add Tomato Paste and Seasonings: Stir in tomato paste, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes. Cook for 1 minute until the tomato paste darkens slightly and becomes aromatic.
- Add Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Broth: Mix in chopped sun-dried tomatoes, then pour in chicken broth. Scrape the bottom of the pan to lift any browned bits for extra flavor.
- Create Cream Sauce: Lower the heat and pour in the heavy cream. Stir until smooth, then add freshly grated Parmesan cheese and mix until melted and creamy.
- Reheat Shrimp: Return the cooked shrimp to the skillet and warm gently for about 1 minute to combine flavors.
- Toss Pasta with Sauce: Add the cooked pasta to the sauce and toss well to coat evenly. Add a splash of reserved pasta water if the sauce is too thick to loosen it.
- Finish and Serve: Stir in chopped fresh basil or parsley and optionally lemon juice. Serve warm, topped with extra Parmesan cheese if desired.
Notes
- Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency as needed.
- You can substitute chicken broth with vegetable broth for a lighter flavor.
- If you prefer less spice, reduce or omit red pepper flakes.
- Use fresh Parmesan cheese for the best flavor and creaminess.
- This dish pairs well with a crisp green salad or garlic bread for a complete meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Keywords: shrimp pasta, creamy shrimp pasta, Marry Me Shrimp, Italian pasta recipe, seafood pasta, quick shrimp dinner
