Creamy Garlic Shrimp Pasta – Quick & Elegant Dinner
This Creamy Garlic Shrimp Pasta is a quick, elegant dinner made with tender shrimp, a velvety garlic-Parmesan cream sauce, and perfectly cooked pasta. It’s rich, savory, and ready in 30 minutes.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Ingredients
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8 oz pasta (linguine or fettuccine)
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1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined
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4 cloves garlic, minced
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2 tbsp butter + 1 tbsp olive oil
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1 cup heavy cream (or half-and-half)
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1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
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1 tbsp lemon juice
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Salt and black pepper, to taste
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2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
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Optional: red pepper flakes or white wine
Instructions
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Cook pasta in salted water until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water. Drain and set aside.
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Season shrimp with salt, pepper, and paprika. Sauté in 1 tbsp oil and 1 tbsp butter for 2 minutes per side. Remove and set aside.
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Add 2 tbsp butter to skillet. Sauté garlic until fragrant. Optional: deglaze with white wine.
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Stir in cream and simmer 3–5 minutes. Add Parmesan and lemon juice. Stir until smooth.
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Return shrimp and pasta to pan. Toss until coated. Add pasta water as needed to loosen sauce.
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Garnish with parsley and extra cheese. Serve immediately.
Notes
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Swap shrimp for chicken or mushrooms if preferred.
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Use gluten-free pasta as needed.
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Store leftovers in fridge for up to 2 days.