Description
Creamy Garlic Parmesan Shrimp Pasta is a luscious and comforting dish featuring tender shrimp cooked in a velvety garlic butter and Parmesan cream sauce, tossed with perfectly al dente fettuccine or spaghetti. This quick and easy pasta recipe is perfect for a cozy dinner that feels indulgent yet straightforward to make.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 8 oz fettuccine or spaghetti (fresh recommended for best texture)
Sauce
- 4 tbsp butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated (fresh)
Protein
- 1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined
Garnish & Seasoning
- ¼ cup parsley, chopped (or basil for variation)
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, freshly cracked, to taste
Instructions
- Boil Pasta: Fill a large pot with water, add a pinch of salt, and bring it to a rolling boil. Add the fettuccine or spaghetti and cook until al dente, about 8-10 minutes.
- Sauté Garlic: While pasta cooks, melt butter in a pan over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 2 minutes, taking care not to burn the garlic.
- Simmer Cream: Gradually pour in the heavy cream, stirring to combine with garlic and butter. Let the mixture simmer gently for 2-3 minutes until it thickens slightly.
- Add Parmesan: Stir in grated Parmesan cheese over low heat and mix until the cheese fully melts into the sauce, creating a smooth creamy consistency.
- Cook Shrimp: Add peeled and deveined shrimp to the skillet. Cook for 3-4 minutes until the shrimp turn pink and opaque, stirring occasionally to ensure even cooking.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Drain the cooked pasta and add it directly to the skillet with the sauce and shrimp. Toss everything together to coat the pasta thoroughly in the creamy sauce.
- Season and Garnish: Season with salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste. Sprinkle chopped parsley over the top to add freshness and color.
- Serve: Plate the creamy garlic Parmesan shrimp pasta, drizzle any remaining sauce on top, and serve immediately while warm and creamy for the best dining experience.
Notes
- For extra flavor, consider adding a pinch of red pepper flakes when sautéing garlic.
- Fresh shrimp is recommended for the best texture, but frozen shrimp can be used if thawed properly.
- You can substitute heavy cream with half-and-half for a lighter sauce, but it may be less rich and creamy.
- Parsley can be swapped with fresh basil for a different herbal note.
- If you want to make it gluten-free, use gluten-free pasta alternatives.
