This creamy garlic shrimp pasta is a rich and comforting dish that combines tender shrimp with a silky, flavorful sauce. It’s the perfect quick dinner that feels elegant yet comes together effortlessly.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This recipe is creamy, garlicky, and incredibly satisfying. The shrimp cooks quickly while staying juicy, and the parmesan cream sauce coats every strand of pasta beautifully. It’s a restaurant-quality meal that’s easy enough for weeknights and impressive for guests.
Ingredients
- 8 ounces linguine pasta
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 ½ tablespoons butter, divided
- 1 pound raw shrimp, peeled and deveined
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon Old Bay seasoning or paprika
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- ½ cup heavy cream
- ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
- ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water, then drain.
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil and 1 tablespoon butter over medium heat.
- Add shrimp, season with salt, pepper, and Old Bay seasoning, and cook until pink (about 2–3 minutes). Remove and set aside.
- In the same pan, melt remaining butter and sauté garlic for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Pour in heavy cream and stir, scraping up any bits from the pan.
- Add parmesan cheese and stir until melted.
- Add a splash of reserved pasta water to loosen the sauce and let it simmer briefly.
- Toss pasta in the sauce until fully coated.
- Return shrimp to the pan and gently reheat.
- Garnish with fresh parsley and serve immediately.
This creamy garlic shrimp pasta is best served hot with freshly grated cheese on top.
Tips & Tricks
- Don’t overcook the shrimp—they cook very quickly.
- Use freshly grated parmesan for smoother sauce texture.
- Adjust sauce thickness with pasta water as needed.
- Add chili flakes for a spicy kick.
Details
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-inspired
- Difficulty: Easy
- Dietary Notes: Halal-friendly, pescatarian
Notes
You can substitute shrimp with chicken or mushrooms if preferred. This creamy garlic shrimp pasta also pairs beautifully with garlic bread or a fresh green salad.
Nutrition (Approximate per serving)
- Calories: 520
- Protein: 32g
- Carbs: 45g
- Fat: 24g
FAQ
Can I use frozen shrimp?
Yes, just thaw completely and pat dry before cooking.
How do I make the sauce thicker?
Add more parmesan or let it simmer longer.
Can I use milk instead of cream?
Yes, but the sauce will be less rich and creamy.
What pasta works best?
Linguine, fettuccine, or spaghetti all work well.
Can I make this ahead of time?
It’s best fresh, but you can reheat gently with extra liquid.
Storage
- Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days
- Reheat gently on the stove with a splash of water or milk
- Not ideal for freezing due to cream sauce
Similar Recipes
Creamy Garlic Shrimp Pasta
Ingredients
- 8 ounces linguine pasta
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 ½ tablespoons butter divided
- 1 pound raw shrimp peeled and deveined
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon Old Bay seasoning or paprika
- 1 clove garlic minced
- ½ cup heavy cream
- ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
- ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water, then drain.
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil and 1 tablespoon butter over medium heat.
- Add shrimp, season with salt, pepper, and Old Bay seasoning, and cook until pink (about 2–3 minutes). Remove and set aside.
- In the same pan, melt remaining butter and sauté garlic for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Pour in heavy cream and stir, scraping up any bits from the pan.
- Add parmesan cheese and stir until melted.
- Add a splash of reserved pasta water to loosen the sauce and let it simmer briefly.
- Toss pasta in the sauce until fully coated.
- Return shrimp to the pan and gently reheat.
- Garnish with fresh parsley and serve immediately.
- This creamy garlic shrimp pasta is best served hot with freshly grated cheese on top.
Notes
Conclusion
This creamy garlic shrimp pasta is a quick, luxurious dish that delivers bold flavor with minimal effort. Perfect for weeknight dinners or special occasions, it’s a recipe you’ll come back to again and again.