Marry Me Shrimp Pasta is a creamy, rich, and slightly spicy dish that’s bursting with flavor and ready to impress. Tender, juicy shrimp are cooked in a luscious sun-dried tomato and garlic cream sauce, then tossed with perfectly cooked pasta. It’s the kind of meal that feels romantic and indulgent—hence the name—but it’s simple enough to make any night of the week.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
I love this recipe because it’s elegant but super easy to make. The shrimp cook quickly, the sauce comes together in one pan, and the flavors are out of this world. The creamy sauce is garlicky, cheesy, and kissed with a little heat and tang from sun-dried tomatoes. It’s a dish that looks fancy, tastes incredible, and only takes about 30 minutes to pull off.
ingredients
(Here’s a tip: Check out the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
linguine, fettuccine, or spaghetti
shrimp, peeled and deveined
olive oil
butter
garlic, minced
sun-dried tomatoes in oil, chopped
heavy cream
chicken broth (or reserved pasta water)
Parmesan cheese, grated
Italian seasoning
red pepper flakes (optional for heat)
salt and pepper
fresh basil or parsley for garnish
directions
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I cook the pasta in salted boiling water until al dente, then drain and set aside, reserving a little pasta water if needed.
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I season the shrimp with salt, pepper, and a pinch of red pepper flakes if I want a little heat.
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In a large skillet, I heat olive oil and butter over medium-high heat and cook the shrimp for 1–2 minutes per side, until pink and opaque. I remove them from the pan and set aside.
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In the same skillet, I add the minced garlic and chopped sun-dried tomatoes and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant.
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I pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream, scraping up any bits from the pan. I let it simmer for a couple of minutes to thicken slightly.
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I stir in the Parmesan cheese and Italian seasoning, cooking until the sauce is creamy and smooth.
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I return the shrimp to the skillet, then add the cooked pasta. I toss everything together until well coated. If the sauce is too thick, I add a splash of pasta water or more cream.
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I garnish with chopped fresh basil or parsley and serve hot.
Servings and timing
This recipe makes 4 servings. Prep time is 10 minutes, and cook time is about 20 minutes—ready in 30 minutes total.
Variations
Sometimes I swap the shrimp for scallops or chicken when I want a different protein. I’ve added spinach, mushrooms, or roasted red peppers for extra veggies. For a deeper flavor, I stir in a little tomato paste with the sun-dried tomatoes. And when I want it extra cheesy, I top it with mozzarella before serving.
storage/reheating
I store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, I warm the pasta gently in a skillet with a splash of cream or broth to bring the sauce back to life. I avoid microwaving shrimp for too long to prevent overcooking.
FAQs
Can I use frozen shrimp?
Yes, I thaw them first and pat them dry before cooking to avoid excess water in the pan.
Is this dish very spicy?
Not by default, but I can add more red pepper flakes if I like heat. It’s easy to adjust to my taste.
What’s the best pasta to use?
I love using fettuccine or linguine, but any long or short pasta works—whatever I have in the pantry.
Can I use half-and-half instead of heavy cream?
Yes, but the sauce will be a little lighter and slightly less rich. I sometimes add a bit of cream cheese to thicken it.
Can I make it ahead of time?
I prefer to cook it fresh, but I’ve made the sauce ahead and stored it separately. Then I just reheat it and toss with shrimp and pasta when ready.
Conclusion
Marry Me Shrimp Pasta is a flavorful, creamy dish that’s as romantic as it is delicious. With bold, rich sauce and tender shrimp nestled in pasta, it’s perfect for date night, dinner parties, or just treating myself to something extra special. It’s one of those recipes that’s sure to win hearts—maybe even marriage proposals.
Print
Marry Me Shrimp Pasta
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American / Italian-Inspired
Description
Marry Me Shrimp Pasta is a creamy, indulgent pasta dish featuring tender shrimp, sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, and Parmesan in a luscious, slightly spicy cream sauce. Quick and easy to make in just 30 minutes, this rich and flavorful recipe is perfect for romantic dinners, special occasions, or whenever you’re craving an irresistible seafood pasta.
Ingredients
- 8 oz linguine, fettuccine, or spaghetti
- 1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- ⅓ cup sun-dried tomatoes in oil, chopped
- ¾ cup heavy cream
- ¼ cup chicken broth (or reserved pasta water)
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- Fresh basil or parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
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Cook pasta in salted boiling water until al dente. Drain, reserving some pasta water.
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Season shrimp with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes if desired.
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In a large skillet, heat olive oil and butter over medium-high heat. Cook shrimp for 1–2 minutes per side until pink. Remove and set aside.
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In the same skillet, sauté garlic and sun-dried tomatoes for about 1 minute.
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Add chicken broth and heavy cream. Simmer for 2–3 minutes to slightly thicken.
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Stir in Parmesan cheese and Italian seasoning until sauce is creamy.
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Return shrimp to the skillet, add cooked pasta, and toss to coat. Add a splash of pasta water or cream if sauce is too thick.
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Garnish with fresh basil or parsley. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Swap shrimp with scallops or chicken for variety.
- Add veggies like spinach, mushrooms, or roasted red peppers.
- For extra richness, top with mozzarella before serving.
- Store leftovers up to 3 days and reheat with a splash of broth or cream.
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