Description
Creamy Garlic Shrimp Pasta is a luscious and comforting Italian-American dish featuring tender shrimp cooked to perfection in a rich garlic Parmesan cream sauce, served over perfectly al dente fettuccine or linguine. This easy-to-make stovetop recipe combines the flavors of garlic, lemon, and fresh parsley to create a delightful seafood pasta that is perfect for weeknight dinners or special occasions.
Ingredients
Scale
pasta
- 8 oz fettuccine or linguine
shrimp and seasoning
- 1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- juice of ½ lemon
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
sauce and cooking fat
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the fettuccine or linguine and cook until al dente according to package instructions. Reserve ½ cup of the hot pasta water, then drain the pasta and set aside.
- Cook the shrimp: In a large skillet, heat olive oil and 2 tablespoons of butter over medium-high heat. Arrange the shrimp in a single layer and cook for 1 to 2 minutes per side until they turn pink and opaque. Remove the shrimp from the skillet and set aside.
- Sauté the garlic: Reduce the skillet heat to medium and add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
- Make the cream sauce: Pour the heavy cream into the skillet and bring to a gentle simmer. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes if using. Let the sauce simmer for 2 to 3 minutes until it thickens slightly.
- Combine shrimp and pasta: Return the cooked shrimp to the skillet and then add the drained pasta. Toss everything together to coat well. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water to loosen it to your preferred consistency.
- Finish and serve: Stir in the lemon juice and sprinkle chopped fresh parsley over the pasta. Serve immediately while warm for the best flavor and texture.
Notes
- Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese for a smoother and more flavorful sauce.
- You can substitute half-and-half for heavy cream to create a lighter version of the sauce.
- This creamy shrimp pasta pairs wonderfully with a crisp green salad or warm garlic bread for a complete meal.
