Description
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A romantic shrimp pasta recipe featuring succulent shrimp, creamy or garlicky sauce, and perfectly cooked pasta. Ready in under 30 minutes, this restaurant-quality dish is perfect for special occasions.
Ingredients
- Shrimp, peeled and deveined
- Pasta of choice (linguine, fettuccine, or spaghetti work best)
- Olive oil or butter
- Garlic, minced
- Heavy cream or white wine (depending on sauce preference)
- Parmesan cheese, grated
- Fresh lemon juice
- Red pepper flakes (optional)
- Fresh parsley, chopped
- Salt and pepper
Instructions
- Prepare the Pasta: Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water, then drain and set aside.
- Sauté the Shrimp: In a large skillet, heat olive oil or butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Cook the Shrimp: Add the shrimp, season with salt and pepper, and cook for 2-3 minutes per side until pink and opaque. Remove the shrimp from the skillet and set aside.
- Make the Sauce:
- For a creamy sauce: Add heavy cream to the skillet, bring to a simmer, and stir in Parmesan cheese until melted.
- For a light garlic-wine sauce: Deglaze the skillet with white wine, simmer for a few minutes, and whisk in butter.
- Combine Everything: Return the shrimp to the pan and add the cooked pasta. Toss to coat everything in the sauce, adding reserved pasta water if needed to loosen the sauce.
- Finish and Serve: Stir in fresh lemon juice and red pepper flakes if using. Garnish with fresh parsley and additional Parmesan cheese.
- Enjoy: Serve immediately with a side of crusty bread and a glass of your favorite wine.
Notes
- Spicy Shrimp Pasta – Add extra red pepper flakes or a dash of cayenne for heat.
- Tomato-Based Sauce – Use canned diced tomatoes and basil instead of heavy cream for a lighter option.
- Pesto Shrimp Pasta – Stir in a generous spoonful of basil pesto for a fresh, herbaceous twist.
- Gluten-Free Option – Substitute regular pasta with your favorite gluten-free variety.
- Dairy-Free Alternative – Use coconut cream or cashew cream instead of heavy cream for a dairy-free version.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Pasta, Seafood
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: italian
Keywords: Shrimp pasta, romantic dinner, creamy garlic pasta, seafood pasta, easy date night recipe