Here’s a recipe for Creamy Shrimp Pasta, perfect for a comforting yet impressive meal. It’s rich, flavorful, and can be made in under 30 minutes.
🦐 Creamy Shrimp Pasta Recipe
Servings: 4
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
🧂 Ingredients
For the Pasta:
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300g (10 oz) pasta (fettuccine, linguine, or penne work well)
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Salt, for boiling water
For the Shrimp:
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450g (1 lb) large shrimp, peeled and deveined
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1 tbsp olive oil
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1 tbsp butter
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3 cloves garlic, minced
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½ tsp smoked paprika (optional)
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Salt and pepper, to taste
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Juice of ½ lemon
For the Cream Sauce:
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2 tbsp butter
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2–3 cloves garlic, minced
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1 cup heavy cream (or half and half for lighter version)
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½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
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¼ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
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Salt and pepper, to taste
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½ cup pasta water (reserved)
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1 tsp Italian seasoning (or a mix of basil, oregano, thyme)
Optional Add-ins:
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1 cup baby spinach or sun-dried tomatoes
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Chopped parsley or basil, for garnish
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Extra Parmesan for topping
🍳 Instructions
1. Boil the Pasta
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Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
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Cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente.
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Reserve ½ cup of pasta water before draining.
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Drain and set aside.
2. Cook the Shrimp
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Pat the shrimp dry and season with salt, pepper, paprika, and a bit of lemon juice.
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In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add 1 tbsp olive oil + 1 tbsp butter.
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Add shrimp in a single layer and cook for 1–2 minutes per side, until pink and opaque.
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Remove shrimp and set aside (cover to keep warm).
3. Make the Cream Sauce
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In the same pan, reduce heat to medium.
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Add 2 tbsp butter and minced garlic. Sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
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Pour in the heavy cream and stir.
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Add Parmesan, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes (if using).
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Simmer gently (don’t boil!) for 2–3 minutes, until slightly thickened.
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Season with salt and pepper.
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Add a splash of reserved pasta water to loosen the sauce if needed.
4. Combine
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Add the cooked pasta to the sauce and toss to coat.
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Fold in the cooked shrimp and toss everything together.
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(Optional: Add spinach or sun-dried tomatoes now and let wilt for 1–2 minutes.)
5. Serve
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Plate the pasta and shrimp.
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Garnish with chopped parsley or basil.
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Sprinkle extra Parmesan on top.
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Serve with lemon wedges or garlic bread.
👩🍳 Tips for Success
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Don’t overcook shrimp — they turn rubbery quickly.
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Use freshly grated Parmesan for best flavor and meltability.
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If sauce gets too thick, loosen with more pasta water or a splash of milk.