Description
A creamy, indulgent shrimp pasta with a rich sun-dried tomato sauce, garlic, and Parmesan. Perfect for a romantic dinner or an easy weeknight meal. Ready in 30 minutes!
Ingredients
Scale
For the shrimp:
- 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
For the sauce:
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for extra spice)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup chicken broth (or white wine for extra depth)
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon fresh basil, chopped
For the pasta:
- 8 ounces fettuccine, linguine, or spaghetti
- 1/2 teaspoon salt (for boiling water)
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta:
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
- Cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water before draining. Set aside.
- Prepare the Shrimp:
- Season shrimp with salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add shrimp and cook for 1-2 minutes per side until pink and opaque. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
- Make the Sauce:
- In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat.
- Add minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Stir in sun-dried tomatoes, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes. Cook for another 1-2 minutes.
- Pour in chicken broth (or white wine), scraping up any bits from the bottom of the skillet. Let it simmer for 2 minutes.
- Lower the heat and stir in heavy cream. Simmer for 3-4 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Add Parmesan cheese, stirring until melted and smooth.
- Combine Everything:
- Return cooked shrimp to the pan and mix well.
- Toss in cooked pasta, adding a splash of reserved pasta water if needed to loosen the sauce.
- Garnish with fresh basil and extra Parmesan before serving.
Notes
- Protein swap: Use chicken, scallops, or salmon instead of shrimp.
- Make it spicier: Add more red pepper flakes or a dash of cayenne.
- Low-carb option: Use zucchini noodles or spaghetti squash instead of pasta.
- Lighter version: Substitute half-and-half for heavy cream.
- Vegetarian version: Omit shrimp and add mushrooms, spinach, or artichokes.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Keywords: creamy shrimp pasta, sun-dried tomato pasta, easy shrimp pasta, romantic dinner recipes, 30-minute pasta dish.