Description
Creamy Garlic Shrimp Pasta is a comforting and flavorful dish featuring succulent seared shrimp tossed with fettuccine in a rich, garlicky cream sauce. This easy-to-make pasta combines tender shrimp sautéed with smoked paprika and fresh garlic, then enveloped in a luscious parmesan cream sauce with a hint of heat from red pepper flakes. Perfect for a cozy dinner, this recipe delivers restaurant-quality taste with simple ingredients and straightforward steps.
Ingredients
Scale
For the shrimp:
- 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- Juice of half a lemon
For the pasta:
- 12 oz fettuccine or linguine pasta
- Salted water for boiling
For the creamy sauce:
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 small shallot, finely diced (optional)
- 1¼ cups heavy cream
- ¾ cup grated parmesan cheese
- ½ cup pasta water (reserved from boiling)
- ¼ tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 2 tbsp chopped parsley (for garnish)
- Extra grated parmesan, for serving
Instructions
- Prepare the shrimp: In a medium bowl, combine the peeled and deveined shrimp with olive oil, unsalted butter, minced garlic, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the shrimp in a single layer. Sear the shrimp for 1-2 minutes on each side until they turn pink and opaque. Avoid overcrowding the pan to ensure even cooking. Once cooked, squeeze the juice of half a lemon over the shrimp, toss to coat, then remove from the skillet and set aside.
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the fettuccine or linguine pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Before draining, reserve ½ cup of the starchy pasta water. Drain the pasta and set it aside.
- Make the garlic cream sauce: Using the same skillet from the shrimp, add unsalted butter and olive oil over medium heat. If using shallots, sauté them for 1-2 minutes until softened, then add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. Pour in the heavy cream and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Stir in the grated parmesan cheese and crushed red pepper flakes if using. Let the sauce simmer for 3-4 minutes until it thickens. If the sauce becomes too thick, gradually incorporate the reserved pasta water until the desired consistency is reached. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
- Combine and serve: Return the cooked shrimp to the skillet with the creamy sauce. Add the cooked pasta and gently toss everything together until well coated. Allow the mixture to simmer for an additional 1-2 minutes so the flavors meld. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and extra grated parmesan cheese before serving.
Notes
- Do not overcrowd the pan when cooking shrimp to ensure even searing.
- Reserve some pasta water to adjust the consistency of the sauce perfectly.
- For a spicier kick, increase the amount of crushed red pepper flakes.
- Feel free to substitute heavy cream with half-and-half for a lighter sauce, but the sauce may be less rich.
- Use freshly grated parmesan cheese for the best flavor and smooth sauce texture.
- Shallots are optional but add a subtle sweetness to the sauce.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Keywords: Creamy garlic shrimp pasta, shrimp pasta, garlic cream sauce, fettuccine recipe, easy shrimp dinner, Italian pasta dish, seafood pasta
