Description
Creamy Garlic Shrimp Pasta is a luscious, flavorful dish featuring succulent shrimp sautéed in a garlic-infused butter sauce, combined with a rich and velvety cream sauce, tossed with perfectly cooked pasta. This recipe is perfect for a quick yet elegant weeknight dinner or a special occasion.
Ingredients
Shrimp and Sauce
- 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Pasta
- 8 oz fettuccine or linguine pasta
- Water for boiling
- Salt, for pasta water
Instructions
- Prepare the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, usually about 8-10 minutes. Drain and set aside, reserving a half cup of pasta water.
- Sauté the shrimp: In a large skillet, heat olive oil and 2 tablespoons of butter over medium-high heat. Add the shrimp seasoned with salt and black pepper. Cook for 2-3 minutes on each side until shrimp turn pink and opaque. Remove shrimp from the skillet and set aside.
- Sauté garlic: In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium and add remaining 2 tablespoons of butter. Add minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
- Create the cream sauce: Pour in the chicken broth and simmer for 2 minutes, scraping up any browned bits. Add heavy cream, Italian seasoning, and Parmesan cheese. Stir well and let the sauce simmer gently until it thickens slightly, about 3-5 minutes.
- Combine: Return shrimp to the skillet, followed by the cooked pasta. Toss everything together gently, adding reserved pasta water a little at a time to reach desired sauce consistency.
- Finish: Season with additional salt and pepper if needed. Sprinkle with chopped parsley for a fresh, vibrant finish. Serve immediately.
Notes
- For extra flavor, add a pinch of red pepper flakes when sautéing the garlic.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese for best texture and flavor.
- Do not overcook shrimp to keep them tender and juicy.
- Reserved pasta water helps adjust the sauce consistency perfectly.
- Can substitute heavy cream with half-and-half for a lighter option, but sauce will be less rich.
