Description
Creamy Garlic Shrimp Pasta is a delicious Italian-inspired dish featuring tender shrimp cooked in a rich and creamy garlic Parmesan sauce, tossed with perfectly cooked fettuccine. This comforting main course combines the flavors of succulent shrimp, aromatic garlic, and a luscious cream sauce with a hint of fresh lemon and parsley for a bright finish.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 ounces fettuccine or linguine
Shrimp and Seasonings
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Sauce
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup reserved pasta water
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- Juice of 1/2 lemon
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the fettuccine or linguine and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta and set aside.
- Cook Shrimp: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Place the shrimp in a single layer and season with salt and black pepper. Cook the shrimp for 2–3 minutes on each side until they turn pink and are opaque. Remove the shrimp from the skillet and set aside.
- Sauté Garlic: In the same skillet, melt the unsalted butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes (if using) and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
- Prepare Cream Sauce: Pour the heavy cream into the skillet with the garlic and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until it melts completely and the sauce becomes smooth and creamy.
- Toss Pasta: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss to coat it evenly with the cream sauce. Gradually add the reserved pasta water as needed to loosen the sauce to your desired consistency.
- Combine Shrimp: Return the cooked shrimp to the skillet and toss everything together to combine and warm through.
- Finish and Serve: Drizzle the fresh lemon juice over the pasta and sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley. Serve immediately while hot for the best flavor and texture.
Notes
- Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese for the smoothest, creamiest sauce.
- Substitute heavy cream with half-and-half for a lighter, less rich version of the sauce.
- Enhance the dish by adding fresh spinach or sun-dried tomatoes for extra layers of flavor and color.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 620
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 750 mg
- Fat: 34 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 48 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 210 mg
