With its garlic butter parmesan flavor, this creamy garlic shrimp pasta is not only very tasty, but also very quick and easy to make!
Simple and fast enough for a weeknight dinner, this creamy shrimp pasta is also restaurant-level good.
Check out the recipe to see how to make a dish that usually has a lot of cream lighter!
Shrimp pasta is a classic crowd-pleasing dish that is easy to make at home. With just a few simple ingredients you can create restaurant-quality meals that will impress your family and friends. In this article, I will provide tips and step-by-step instructions for making two delicious shrimp pasta recipes from scratch.
An Overview of Shrimp Pasta
Pasta and shrimp make an amazing combination. The sweet brininess of the shrimp complements the neutral flavor of the pasta beautifully. Shrimp pasta can be made in so many ways, from rich and creamy Alfredo to light and lemony Mediterranean herb sauces. The pasta shape you choose also makes a difference – thinner pastas like spaghetti or linguine are perfect for showcasing the shrimp in lighter sauces, while tube pastas can hold heavier cream or tomato-based sauces.
No matter what your preferences are, shrimp pasta is simple to prepare at home with just a few key ingredients like shrimp, pasta, garlic, olive oil or butter, herbs, lemon, and Parmesan cheese. The shrimp can be sautéed on its own or cooked right in the sauce Served hot with crusty garlic bread and a fresh salad, shrimp pasta makes an elegant yet easy weeknight dinner. Leftovers also hold up well for lunches the next day
Below I will provide complete recipes and instructions for making two of my favorite shrimp pasta dishes: Creamy Garlic Shrimp Pasta and Mediterranean Garlic Shrimp Pasta. Both are absolutely delicious!
Choosing Shrimp for Pasta
The two most common options for shrimp are fresh or frozen. Fresh shrimp will have the best flavor and texture, but frozen shrimp works very well too. Make sure frozen shrimp are thawed completely before cooking. Some tips for selecting shrimp:
-
Choose larger shrimp (16 to 20 or 21 to 25 per pound) if serving shrimp in the shell or with tails on. Peel and devein smaller shrimp (26 to 30 per pound).
-
Look for shrimp that smell fresh with no ammonia odor. They should be firm and clear, not mushy
-
Farm-raised shrimp from the U.S. is a budget-friendly option. Wild-caught shrimp has a nicer flavor.
-
Buy raw, uncooked shrimp. Avoid pre-cooked shrimp which will get rubbery when reheated.
Creamy Garlic Shrimp Pasta
This indulgent pasta dish is rich, garlicky, and cheesy with sweet shrimp in every bite. The creamy Parmesan sauce comes together quickly while the pasta cooks.
Ingredients:
- 1 lb linguine or spaghetti
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp butter
- 3-4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 1⁄2 cups milk or heavy cream
- 2 tsp cornstarch
- 1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
- 1-2 lbs peeled shrimp
- Smoked paprika, salt, pepper
- Chopped parsley for garnish
Instructions:
-
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook al dente. Before draining, reserve 1-2 cups pasta cooking water.
-
Pat shrimp dry and toss with smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. In a skillet, heat 1 tbsp each butter and olive oil over medium heat. Cook shrimp in single layer until pink. Remove to a plate.
-
Return pan to medium heat. Melt 2 tbsp butter and cook garlic 1 minute until fragrant. Whisk in milk and cornstarch. Simmer until slightly thickened. Stir in Parmesan until melted and smooth.
-
Add cooked pasta to sauce along with a splash of reserved pasta water. Toss to coat. Add shrimp and toss to combine. Season with salt and pepper.
-
Garnish with parsley. Serve immediately.
Mediterranean Shrimp Pasta
Bursting with bright Mediterranean flavors, this easy 20-minute shrimp pasta is made with garlic, white wine, lemon, and fresh herbs.
Ingredients:
- 3⁄4 lb thin spaghetti
- 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1⁄2 red onion, chopped
- 5 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tsp oregano
- 1⁄2 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1 cup white wine
- Zest and juice of 1 lemon
- 1 cup chopped parsley
- 2-3 tomatoes, chopped
- Parmesan cheese
Instructions:
-
Cook pasta in boiling salted water according to package directions. Reserve a bit of pasta water before draining.
-
In a pan, cook shrimp in olive oil over medium-high heat for 2-3 minutes per side until pink. Remove to a plate.
-
In same pan, cook onions, garlic, oregano, and pepper flakes for 1-2 minutes. Add wine and lemon zest and juice. Allow to reduce 1 minute.
-
Add parsley and tomatoes for 30 seconds, then season with salt.
-
Add cooked pasta and a splash of reserved water. Toss to coat, then add shrimp and toss just until warmed through.
-
Serve with Parmesan cheese and red pepper flakes.
Serving Suggestions
Shrimp pasta tastes fantastic on its own, but here are some easy ideas for rounding out your meal:
-
Add a salad – Greek, caesar, or simple mixed greens with vinaigrette
-
Serve with crusty garlic bread for dipping in the sauce
-
Pair with steamed broccoli, asparagus, or green beans
-
Stir in sauteed mushrooms, zucchini, or spinach
-
Enjoy with a glass of white wine or lemonade
Leftover Shrimp Pasta
Both creamy and Mediterranean shrimp pasta store well for 2-3 days refrigerated. To reheat, place desired portions in a skillet with a bit of water or oil to loosen up the pasta. Warm through over medium-low heat. Add more cheese or herbs before serving, if desired.
Shrimp pasta also makes an easy packed lunch. Simply transfer to a storage container and pack an ice pack to keep it cool. The flavors in both these recipes hold up nicely, so don’t be afraid to enjoy the leftovers!
More Helpful Tips for Shrimp Pasta
-
Cook shrimp just until opaque and pink – do not overcook or they will be rubbery.
-
Use tongs to gently toss pasta and shrimp together to avoid breaking up the shrimp.
-
Thinner pastas like spaghetti or angel hair work best for light, brothy sauces.
-
Reserve some pasta water to help loosen up sauce and achieve a creamy texture.
-
Grate Parmesan fresh instead of using pre-shredded cheese for the best flavor.
-
Brighten up any shrimp pasta with fresh lemon juice and zest.
-
For spicier shrimp pasta, add crushed red pepper flakes, Aleppo pepper, or Cajun seasoning.
-
Pasta should be al dente, not mushy, so watch cooking times closely.
-
Rinse any sand or debris from fresh shrimp under cold water before cooking.
Frequency of Entities:
melskitchencafe.com – 2
themediterraneandish.com – 2
What Kind of Shrimp to Use
The truth is, most of us are going to be dealing with frozen shrimp – not fresh caught. Most of the shrimp at grocery store meat counters are frozen shrimp that has been thawed.
I like to use large shrimp for this recipe. The package is labeled 21 to 30 shrimp per pound (or thereabouts). But really any size of shrimp can be used.
Toss the shrimp with smoked paprika, salt and pepper.
Smoked paprika is the KEY to layers of delicious flavor in this recipe. You can use regular paprika if you don’t have smoked paprika, but I promise you it’s worth it to get some smoked paprika.
Cook the shrimp in a skillet in a single layer until beautifully pink and cooked through.
It won’t take long! Shrimp cooks very quickly, and you don’t want it to overcook.
You’ll likely want to do this in two batches so the pan isn’t too crowded.
Serve Immediately {Plus a Note About Leftovers}
This pasta benefits greatly from being served immediately. Because this dish is light on sauce anyway, the longer it sits, the less creamy it becomes.
If you want a saucier pasta, you can add more sauce ingredients, but I think the amount of sauce in the recipe is just right for the pasta and shrimp without being too much.
Interestingly, for a light-on-sauce-pasta, I think the leftovers are FABULOUS, which isn’t always the case with leftover pasta.
The leftovers taste more like pasta salad than a rich pasta dish when heated up a bit, or even when eaten cold. This is exactly how I like it. As in: Hi, I’m Mel, the leftover hoarder, it’s real nice to meet you.
How To Make Creamy Shrimp Alfredo Pasta – 30 Minute Meal
How to make garlic shrimp pasta?
Directions to make the garlic shrimp pasta. Cook the spaghetti as directed on the box. While it’s cooking, make the sauce and cook the shrimp. Rinse, then dry the shrimp in paper towel. Place the olive oil and 1 tbsp of the butter in a sauté pan over medium high heat. Add the minced garlic and cook for about 2 minutes, then add the parsley.
How do you make pasta sauce with shrimp?
Add the garlic and cook the garlic for 30 seconds or until fragrant. Make the sauce: Pour in the heavy cream, parmesan cheese, and reserved pasta water. Stir until parmesan has melted through and sauce has loosened. Taste and adjust salt if needed. Combine pasta with sauce and shrimp: Toss in the cooked pasta until fully coated with the sauce.
How do you cook frozen shrimp pasta?
This shrimp pasta recipe is easy to make with the best big flavors: garlic, lemon, and Parmesan. It’s a home run dinner idea that’s always a hit! If frozen, thaw the shrimp. Cook the pasta: Start a pot of well salted water to a boil. Boil the pasta until it is just al dente.
How long does garlic shrimp pasta take to cook?
20 minutes or less is all it takes to make this bright garlic shrimp pasta recipe! Prepared Mediterranean-style and tossed in a light sauce with garlic, onions, white wine, and lemon juice. To save time, get the pasta cooking and make the rest in the meantime! Parmesan cheese to your liking.