Description
Marry Me Shrimp Pasta is a creamy and flavorful Italian-inspired dish featuring tender shrimp cooked in a rich tomato and Parmesan cream sauce, tossed with perfectly al dente pasta for a comforting and elegant meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Grains & Pasta
- 12 ounces pasta such as penne, rigatoni, or fettuccine
Shrimp & Seafood
- 1 pound medium or large shrimp, peeled and deveined
Oils & Fats
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoons butter, divided
Aromatics & Vegetables
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small shallot or 1/2 small onion, finely chopped
- 1/3 cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes
Condiments & Seasonings
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes, or more to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, plus more for pasta water
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice, optional
Liquids
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
Dairy & Cheese
- 3/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Herbs
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil or parsley
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add your choice of pasta (penne, rigatoni, or fettuccine) and cook until al dente according to package directions. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta water, then drain the pasta and set it aside.
- Prepare Shrimp: Pat the shrimp dry with paper towels, then season them evenly with salt and black pepper.
- Cook Shrimp: Heat olive oil and 1 tablespoon of butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the shrimp and cook for 1 to 2 minutes per side, just until they turn pink and develop a light golden color. Remove shrimp from the skillet and set aside.
- Sauté Aromatics: Reduce the skillet heat to medium. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter, then sauté the finely chopped shallot or onion for 2 to 3 minutes until softened. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds.
- Add Tomato Paste and Seasonings: Add tomato paste, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes to the skillet. Stir the mixture continuously for 1 minute until the tomato paste darkens slightly and becomes fragrant.
- Add Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Liquid: Stir in the chopped sun-dried tomatoes. Pour in the chicken broth, scraping the bottom of the skillet to lift any browned bits to enhance flavor.
- Create Cream Sauce: Lower the heat, then pour in the heavy cream. Stir until the mixture is smooth. Add the freshly grated Parmesan cheese and continue stirring until the cheese has melted into a creamy sauce.
- Reheat Shrimp: Return the cooked shrimp to the skillet and warm them gently in the sauce for about 1 minute.
- Toss Pasta with Sauce: Add the cooked pasta into the skillet and toss everything together until the pasta is fully coated with the creamy sauce. Add a splash of reserved pasta water if needed to loosen the sauce to your desired consistency.
- Finish and Serve: Stir in the chopped fresh basil or parsley and lemon juice if using. Serve warm with extra freshly grated Parmesan cheese on top.
Notes
- For a spicier kick, increase the amount of red pepper flakes to taste.
- If you prefer a dairy-free version, substitute heavy cream with coconut cream and omit Parmesan or use a vegan cheese alternative.
- Make sure not to overcook the shrimp to keep them tender and juicy.
- Reserve pasta water helps to adjust the sauce consistency perfectly—add it gradually.
- Use fresh basil for a brighter flavor; parsley can be used as a milder alternative.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Keywords: Shrimp pasta, creamy shrimp pasta, Italian shrimp recipe, Marry Me Shrimp Pasta, pasta with shrimp in cream sauce
