Description
Marry Me Shrimp Pasta is a creamy, flavorful pasta dish featuring perfectly cooked shrimp in a rich sauce made with sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, Parmesan cheese, and a hint of red pepper flakes. This decadent yet easy-to-make meal is perfect for a romantic dinner or any special occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 ounces pasta such as penne, rigatoni, or fettuccine
Shrimp and Seasoning
- 1 pound medium or large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, plus more for pasta water
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Sauce
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoons butter, divided
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small shallot or 1/2 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1/3 cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 3/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes, or more to taste
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil or parsley
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice, optional
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook until al dente according to package directions. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta water, then drain the pasta and set it aside.
- Season the Shrimp: Pat the shrimp dry with paper towels. Season with salt and black pepper evenly on all sides.
- Cook the Shrimp: Heat olive oil and 1 tablespoon butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the shrimp and cook for 1 to 2 minutes per side, until they turn pink and are lightly golden. Remove the shrimp from the skillet and set aside.
- Sauté Aromatics: Reduce heat to medium. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon butter to the skillet. Sauté the finely chopped shallot or onion for 2 to 3 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add Tomato Paste and Seasonings: Stir in tomato paste, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes. Cook for 1 minute, stirring, until the tomato paste darkens slightly and becomes fragrant.
- Incorporate Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Broth: Add chopped sun-dried tomatoes, then pour in the chicken broth. Scrape the skillet’s bottom to loosen any browned bits for depth of flavor.
- Add Cream and Cheese: Lower the heat and pour in heavy cream, stirring until the sauce is smooth. Stir in the freshly grated Parmesan cheese until melted and creamy.
- Reintroduce Shrimp: Return the cooked shrimp to the skillet and let them warm gently in the sauce for 1 minute, blending the flavors.
- Toss Pasta in Sauce: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss until fully coated with the sauce. Add a splash of reserved pasta water if needed to loosen and combine the sauce with the pasta smoothly.
- Finish and Serve: Stir in chopped fresh basil or parsley and a teaspoon of lemon juice if using. Serve warm with extra Parmesan cheese sprinkled on top for garnish and added flavor.
Notes
- Use fresh shrimp for best texture and flavor.
- Adjust red pepper flakes quantity to control the spiciness of the dish.
- Reserve pasta water helps to adjust sauce thickness and helps it cling to the pasta better.
- Substitute heavy cream with half-and-half for a lighter sauce, though it may be less rich.
- For a gluten-free option, use gluten-free pasta instead.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Keywords: shrimp pasta, creamy shrimp pasta, marry me pasta, sun-dried tomato pasta, quick dinner, Italian pasta recipe
