Description

Marry Me Shrimp Pasta is a creamy, flavorful dish featuring succulent sautéed shrimp in a rich tomato cream sauce with sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, and Parmesan cheese, tossed with al dente pasta. This comforting and elegant meal is perfect for a romantic dinner or any special occasion.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta

12 ounces pasta such as penne, rigatoni, or fettuccine

Shrimp and Seasoning

1 pound medium or large shrimp, peeled and deveined
1/2 teaspoon salt, plus more for pasta water
1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Sauce and Flavorings

1 tablespoon olive oil
2 tablespoons butter, divided
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 small shallot or 1/2 small onion, finely chopped
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1/3 cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes
1/2 cup chicken broth
1 cup heavy cream
3/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes, or more to taste
2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil or parsley
1 teaspoon lemon juice, optional

Instructions

Cook the 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 pasta water, then drain and set aside.
Prepare the shrimp: Pat the shrimp dry with paper towels. Season with the salt and black pepper.
Sauté the shrimp: Heat the olive oil and 1 tablespoon butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the shrimp and cook for 1 to 2 minutes per side, just until pink and lightly golden. Remove the shrimp from the skillet and set aside.
Sauté aromatics: Reduce the heat to medium. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon butter, then sauté the shallot for 2 to 3 minutes until softened. Stir in the garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
Add tomato paste and spices: Add the tomato paste, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes. Stir for 1 minute until the tomato paste darkens slightly and becomes fragrant.
Add sun-dried tomatoes and broth: Stir in the sun-dried tomatoes, then pour in the chicken broth. Scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
Add cream and cheese: Lower the heat and pour in the heavy cream. Stir until smooth, then add the Parmesan cheese and mix until melted and creamy.
Return shrimp to sauce: Return the shrimp to the skillet and let them warm gently for 1 minute.
Toss pasta with sauce: Add the cooked pasta to the sauce and toss until fully coated. Add a splash of reserved pasta water if needed to loosen the sauce.
Finish and serve: Finish with chopped basil or parsley and lemon juice, if using. Serve warm with extra Parmesan on top.

Notes

Use fresh or frozen shrimp that has been thawed and peeled for best results.
Adjust red pepper flakes to your preferred spice level.
If you want to make this recipe vegetarian, omit the shrimp and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
Reserve pasta water to help loosen the sauce if it becomes too thick.
Substitute fresh herbs with dried if unavailable, using about one-third of the amount.
For a lighter option, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or whole milk, though sauce will be less rich.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: Italian-American

Keywords: Shrimp pasta, creamy pasta, Marry Me pasta, quick dinner recipe, Italian shrimp dish, sun-dried tomato pasta