Creamy Shrimp Pasta

Content… Why Make It Recipe Ingredients How to Make It Recipe Variations Tips and Tricks Make-Ahead Instructions Serving and Storage Instructions FAQs What to Serve More Decadent Pasta Dishes to Try Conclusion Watch How to Make It

Why Make Creamy Shrimp Pasta

Does heavy cream sound off alarms in your head? There’s so much controversy about what’s good for us and what’s not that I say we stop stressing ourselves and enjoy our food. So after making this for a while, I switched things up by adding a dash of cream and tomato paste to make it more comforting, creamy, and elegant—like a fancy schmancy restaurant, and it worked beautifully. 

Recipe Ingredients

1. Spaghetti – Pasta dishes are economical and delicious. Further, they’re an excellent vehicle for your cream sauce. Linguine, fettuccine, or your fave pasta will also work fine.
2. Shrimp -The main event of this recipe is the firm and juicy shrimp. Both fresh and frozen shrimp work.
3. Butter – Creamy, moist, and flavorful sensation thanks to this incredible ingredient.
4. Seasonings -Whether fresh, dried, or powdered, garlic gives your whole dish a mouthwatering aroma. Then Creole seasoning, paprika, thyme, oregano, and tomato paste enhance flavor, while parsley is always a great garnish.
5. Dairy – Heavy cream and milk add rich creaminess and taste for a decadent sauce. You can go dairy-free with coconut cream and milk because coconut and shrimp go great together.
6. Stock – Chicken stock adds flavor without making the sauce watery.
7. Garnishes – Parmesan cheese, lemon, and parsley always make seafood taste better.

How to Make Creamy Shrimp Pasta

• Boil Pasta – Start by boiling pasta in a large pot, according to box instructions. Drain and set aside.
• Cook Shrimp – Lightly season shrimp with Creole seasoning. Heat about 2 tablespoons of cooking oil or butter over medium heat in a skillet. Sauté the shrimp for 3 -5 minutes or until lightly cooked. Set aside. (Photo 1)
• Seasonings – Add the butter and garlic to the skillet. Next, add paprika, thyme, and oregano. Stir the mixture for about a minute or until fragrant. (Photo 2)
• Liquids – Stir in the tomato paste, followed by the cream, milk, lemon juice, and chicken broth. Heat it to a boil, and simmer for 5-7 minutes. (Photo 3)
• Add Shrimp – Add the shrimp along with the parsley and stir. Add cheese (if using). Stir for about a minute, and adjust salt and pepper to taste. Add more chicken broth if needed. (Photo 4)
• Assemble – Stir the pasta into the sauce, allowing your pasta to soak up some of the sauce. Enjoy!

Recipe Variations

1. Add your favorite mushrooms or sun-dried tomatoes for more flavor and texture, as they’re a fantastic addition to any cream-based pasta dish.
2. Take the salty richness of your creamy shrimp pasta dish to the next level by adding bacon. The distinct flavors of bacon and shrimp complement each other really well.
3. If you’re a real cheese lover, add some parmesan or mozzarella to create a scrumptious, decadent cheesy shrimp pasta dish.

Tips and Tricks

1. Instead of adding salt directly to the creamy sauce, salt your pasta after draining. This will enhance the flavor of the pasta and make for a well-rounded taste experience.
2. Start checking your pasta for doneness shortly before it should be ready to ensure it doesn’t overcook.

Make-Ahead Instructions

For a stress-free dinner:

• Make the shrimp, sauce, and pasta ahead and store them in the fridge separately (2-3 days).
• Heat the sauce in a skillet, add the cooked pasta and shrimp, and stir until heated through. It may need a splash of broth if it’s too dry.
• Top with parmesan, a squeeze of lemon juice, and a sprinkle of parsley. 

Serving and Storage Instructions

Creamy shrimp with pasta is fabulous hot off the stove.

You can store leftovers in the fridge for up to four days. (Freezing is not recommended.) Reheat in a pot or skillet over medium heat, and add a little chicken broth if it’s too dry.

FAQs

What to Serve With Creamy Shrimp Pasta

Sauteed spinach, a tossed salad, or spicy roast garlic broccoli add some greens and balance the dish’s richness. And there’s nothing like a glass of white wine to go with delicious shrimp pasta.

More Decadent Pasta Dishes to Try

1. Taco Pasta
2. Rasta Pasta
3. Sausage and Pasta
4. Chicken Pasta Bake
5. Tuna Noodle Casserole

Conclusion

So kick back, pour a glass of chardonnay, get those juicy shrimp out, and make this quick and mouthwatering creamy pasta dish. Have you tried this recipe yet? Connect with me on Pinterest, and let me know! 🦐

Watch How to Make It

[adthrive-in-post-video-player video-id=”26K2ZWMq” upload-date=”Mon Aug 06 2018 19:52:04 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)” name=”Creamy Shrimp Pasta” description=”Creamy Shrimp Pasta  – Pasta smothered in a creamy sauce infused with garlic and herbs  & tossed through with Juicy shrimp. Spicy, Buttery, Creamy Shrimp and pasta   ready in 30 minutes.”]

This blog post was originally published in December 2014 and has been updated with additional tips, new photos, and a video