Creamy Garlic Shrimp Pasta
Creamy Garlic Shrimp Pasta is a quick and elegant comfort food dish combining tender shrimp, garlic-infused creamy sauce, and perfectly cooked pasta. Ready in under 30 minutes, it offers a rich, satisfying flavor perfect for weeknight dinners or special occasions.
- Author: Mary
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing, Boiling
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Pescatarian
Shrimp and Protein
- 12 oz fresh or frozen shrimp, peeled and deveined
Aromatics and Fats
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
Sauce
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Pasta
- 8 oz fettuccine or linguine pasta
Garnish
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- Prepare the Shrimp: Pat the shrimp dry and season lightly with salt and pepper. Heat butter and olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sauté the shrimp for about 2 minutes per side until pink and just cooked through. Remove shrimp and set aside to prevent overcooking.
- Sauté the Garlic: Reduce the heat to medium-low in the same skillet and add minced garlic. Cook gently for about 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it, creating the foundational garlic flavor.
- Make the Creamy Sauce: Pour the heavy cream into the skillet with garlic and bring to a gentle simmer. Stir in the freshly grated parmesan cheese until melted and the sauce thickens to a velvety consistency. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Combine Pasta and Shrimp: Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente, then drain. Add pasta directly to the creamy sauce, return shrimp to the pan, and toss everything together to fully coat the pasta and evenly distribute the shrimp.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley over the dish for a pop of color and fresh herbal brightness. Serve immediately while warm and creamy for best taste and texture.
Notes
- Use fresh shrimp when possible; if frozen, thaw and pat dry for a good sear.
- Avoid overcooking shrimp to keep them tender — remove from heat as soon as they turn pink.
- Simmer the sauce gently over low heat to maintain creaminess and prevent separation.
- Reserve some pasta cooking water to thin the sauce if it becomes too thick.
- Use freshly grated parmesan cheese for richer flavor and better melting.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 550mg
- Fat: 32g
- Saturated Fat: 18g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 215mg
Keywords: creamy garlic shrimp pasta, shrimp pasta recipe, creamy shrimp pasta, garlic shrimp fettuccine, easy shrimp pasta, quick dinner, Italian seafood pasta