If you are craving a dish that effortlessly combines bold flavors with comforting creaminess, look no further than Creamy Garlic Shrimp Pasta. This recipe brings together succulent shrimp sautéed with fragrant garlic and tossed in a luscious, velvety sauce that clings perfectly to every strand of pasta. Quick to prepare and packed with flavor, Creamy Garlic Shrimp Pasta is an ideal choice for any weeknight dinner or a special occasion when you want to impress without stress. Its rich, savory taste and satisfying texture will have everyone asking for seconds tonight!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Speedy Preparation: Ready in under 30 minutes, perfect for busy evenings.
Rich and Creamy Flavor: The silky garlic sauce complements the shrimp beautifully.
Versatile and Crowd-Pleasing: Appeals to seafood lovers and pasta fans alike.
Simple Ingredients: Uses pantry staples that are easy to find and prepare.
Impressive Yet Easy: Feels gourmet but requires minimal cooking skills.

Ingredients You’ll Need

This recipe keeps things simple and straightforward, focusing on fresh and flavorful ingredients that build the perfect balance of taste, texture, and color in the dish.

Shrimp: Fresh or thawed, peeled, and deveined for tender bites.
Garlic: Fresh cloves provide a robust aroma and essential flavor depth.
Heavy Cream: Adds luxurious creaminess to the sauce that coats the pasta.
Parmesan Cheese: Grated for sharpness and a mild nutty finish.
Pasta: Fettuccine or linguine hold the sauce beautifully and create a hearty base.
Butter and Olive Oil: For sauteing shrimp and garlic to perfection.
Fresh Parsley: Adds a pop of color and fresh herbaceous notes.
Lemon Juice: A splash brightens the dish and balances the richness.
Salt and Pepper: To season and enhance all the flavors.

Variations for Creamy Garlic Shrimp Pasta

Feel free to personalize this dish by swapping, adding, or omitting ingredients to suit your pantry, dietary preferences, or cravings. It’s a wonderfully flexible recipe that’s easy to make your own.

Spicy Kick: Add red pepper flakes to the garlic for a subtle heat boost.
Vegetable Boost: Toss in spinach or sun-dried tomatoes for extra color and nutrition.
Dairy Alternative: Use coconut milk or cashew cream for a dairy-free version.
Pasta Swap: Try gluten-free pasta or zoodles for dietary needs.
Protein Variety: Substitute shrimp with scallops or chicken for a new twist.

Why Creamy Garlic Shrimp Pasta Steals Dinner Tonight

How to Make Creamy Garlic Shrimp Pasta

Step 1: Prepare the Pasta

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook your pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving a little pasta water.

Step 2: Sauté the Shrimp

Heat butter and olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the shrimp and season lightly with salt and pepper. Cook for about 2 minutes per side until pink and opaque, then remove and set aside.

Step 3: Cook the Garlic

In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium and add minced garlic. Sauté gently until fragrant, about 1 minute, being careful not to burn it.

Step 4: Make the Cream Sauce

Pour in the heavy cream and bring it to a simmer. Stir in grated Parmesan and let the sauce thicken slightly, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.

Step 5: Combine Everything

Add the shrimp back into the skillet, toss in the cooked pasta, and mix gently to coat everything evenly. Splash in some reserved pasta water if the sauce seems too thick.

Step 6: Finish with Fresh Elements

Sprinkle chopped parsley and a squeeze of lemon juice over the pasta. Stir once more, then serve immediately while warm and fragrant.

Pro Tips for Making Creamy Garlic Shrimp Pasta

Use Fresh Shrimp: For the best texture and flavor, fresh or properly thawed shrimp are key.
Don’t Overcook Shrimp: Cook shrimp just until pink to keep them juicy and tender.
Reserve Pasta Water: Adding a bit helps loosen the sauce without diluting flavor.
Grate Parmesan Fresh: Fresh cheese melts better and enhances the sauce richness.
Keep Garlic Low and Slow: Prevents bitterness and brings out a mellow, fragrant profile.

How to Serve Creamy Garlic Shrimp Pasta

Garnishes

Fresh parsley or basil leaves make a vibrant, fresh garnish while a light dusting of extra Parmesan builds on the savory goodness. A few lemon wedges on the side add an inviting touch and balance.

Side Dishes

The richness of this pasta pairs well with crisp green salads, roasted vegetables, or crusty bread to mop up every bit of creamy sauce. For a heartier meal, roasted asparagus or garlic bread are wonderful compliments.

Creative Ways to Present

Serve in shallow bowls to showcase the creamy sauce and succulent shrimp. Top with edible flowers for dinner parties or place in individual ramekins for a charming, elegant presentation that elevates mealtime.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Place leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 2 days. Shrimp can lose some texture, but the pasta will still taste delicious when reheated gently.

Freezing

Freezing cream-based pasta dishes is generally not recommended because the sauce may separate when thawed. If necessary, freeze without pasta and reheat separately with fresh cooked noodles.

Reheating

Warm leftovers slowly over low heat on the stove or in the microwave, adding a splash of cream or milk to help the sauce regain its creamy consistency without drying out.

FAQs

Can I use frozen shrimp for Creamy Garlic Shrimp Pasta?

Yes, just be sure to fully thaw and pat the shrimp dry before cooking to ensure they sauté properly and don’t release too much liquid.

What type of pasta works best for this recipe?

Long, flat noodles like fettuccine or linguine are ideal since they hold the creamy garlic sauce well and complement the shrimp texture perfectly.

Is this dish gluten-free?

This recipe is traditionally made with wheat pasta, but you can easily substitute gluten-free pasta varieties without losing any flavor.

How can I make the sauce thicker?

Simmer the cream and Parmesan longer until the sauce reduces to your preferred consistency or add a slurry of cornstarch mixed with water for an extra boost.

Can I make this recipe dairy-free?

Absolutely! Swap heavy cream for coconut cream and Parmesan for nutritional yeast or a dairy-free cheese alternative to keep that creamy texture and flavor.

Final Thoughts

There’s just something truly irresistible about Creamy Garlic Shrimp Pasta that makes it the perfect dinner to whip up anytime you want to feel like a culinary star. Its comforting creaminess paired with juicy shrimp and garlic’s bold flavor is a guaranteed hit. Go ahead and dive in tonight—you’ll wonder how you ever made dinner without it!

Creamy Garlic Shrimp Pasta

Print Recipe

Creamy Garlic Shrimp Pasta is a quick and flavorful dish featuring tender shrimp sautéed in garlic and tossed in a rich, velvety cream sauce with Parmesan cheese. Perfect for busy weeknights or special occasions, this recipe combines comforting creaminess with bold, savory flavors for a crowd-pleasing meal ready in under 30 minutes.

Total Time: 25 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x

Ingredients

Scale

Shrimp and Protein

1 lb fresh or thawed shrimp, peeled and deveined

Garlic and Aromatics

4 cloves garlic, minced

Dairy and Cheese

1 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, preferably freshly grated
2 tbsp butter

Pasta and Oils

8 oz fettuccine or linguine pasta
1 tbsp olive oil

Fresh Herbs and Seasoning

2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
1 tbsp lemon juice, freshly squeezed
Salt, to taste
Black pepper, to taste

Instructions

Prepare the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to the package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta, reserving about 1/4 cup of pasta water, and set aside.
Sauté the Shrimp: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, heat the butter and olive oil until melted and hot. Add the shrimp, season lightly with salt and pepper, and cook for about 2 minutes per side until pink and opaque. Remove the shrimp from the skillet and set aside.
Cook the Garlic: Reduce the heat to medium and add the minced garlic to the same skillet. Sauté gently for about 1 minute until fragrant, making sure not to burn the garlic.
Make the Cream Sauce: Pour the heavy cream into the skillet with the garlic and bring it to a simmer. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese and let the sauce thicken slightly, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
Combine Everything: Return the cooked shrimp to the skillet, add the drained pasta, and toss gently to coat everything evenly with the creamy sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water to loosen it.
Finish with Fresh Elements: Sprinkle the chopped parsley and squeeze fresh lemon juice over the pasta. Stir once more to distribute evenly, then serve immediately while warm and fragrant.

Notes

Use fresh or properly thawed shrimp for the best texture and flavor.
Cook shrimp just until pink to avoid overcooking, keeping them juicy and tender.
Reserve a little pasta water to loosen the sauce if needed without diluting the flavor.
Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese for better melting and richer sauce.
Cook garlic on low to medium heat to prevent bitterness and retain a mellow aroma.

Author: Lina
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Sautéing
Cuisine: Italian
Diet: Can be made gluten-free by using gluten-free pasta

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 450 kcal
Sugar: 2 g
Sodium: 450 mg
Fat: 25 g
Saturated Fat: 15 g
Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 35 g
Fiber: 2 g
Protein: 30 g
Cholesterol: 220 mg

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