Creamy Tuscan Garlic Shrimp Pasta
A quick and easy creamy Tuscan garlic shrimp pasta with sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, and a luscious sauce that feels like a cozy Italian restaurant meal at home.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup chicken broth or vegetable broth
- ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped (oil-packed preferred)
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ⅓ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 8 oz fettuccine or linguine pasta
- 2 cups fresh baby spinach leaves (optional)
- Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 oz of pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente (about 9–11 minutes). Reserve ½ cup of pasta water before draining. Set pasta aside.
- Pat the shrimp dry with paper towels. Season with salt, pepper, and smoked paprika.
- Heat 1 tablespoon of butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add shrimp in a single layer and cook 1–2 minutes per side until pink and cooked through. Remove shrimp and set aside.
- Lower heat to medium. Add remaining 2 tablespoons butter to the skillet. Once melted, add minced garlic and cook for 30–45 seconds until fragrant.
- Pour in heavy cream and broth. Stir in sun-dried tomatoes and Italian seasoning. Simmer gently for 4–5 minutes until sauce thickens slightly.
- Stir in grated Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth. Add baby spinach and cook until wilted, about 2 minutes.
- Return shrimp to skillet, add drained pasta, and toss gently to coat. Add reserved pasta water a tablespoon at a time if sauce is too thick.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley before serving.
Notes
Do not overcook shrimp to avoid rubbery texture. Use fresh Parmesan for best sauce texture. Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency. Simmer sauce gently to prevent curdling. Can substitute gluten-free pasta and dairy-free cream for dietary needs.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1/4
- Calories: 500
- Sugar: 4
- Sodium: 600
- Fat: 32
- Saturated Fat: 18
- Carbohydrates: 30
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 30
Keywords: creamy shrimp pasta, Tuscan garlic shrimp, sun-dried tomatoes pasta, easy dinner, quick pasta recipe, creamy garlic sauce, seafood pasta