Swoon-Worthy Creamy Marry Me Shrimp Pasta Recipe

Pasta dreams come alive with a marry me shrimp pasta that could seriously seal romantic commitments.

Succulent shrimp dance alongside silky noodles in a sauce so irresistible.

Garlic and cream weave magic through each luxurious bite.

Rich flavors blend seamlessly, creating an experience you cannot resist.

Delicate seafood nestles perfectly against tender pasta strands.

Weeknight cooking reaches new heights with this simple yet elegant dish.

Prepare to fall head over heels for a meal that promises culinary love at first taste.

Why Creamy Marry Me Shrimp Pasta Steals The Show

• Whip Up Quick Comfort: This shrimp pasta recipe delivers restaurant-quality deliciousness in just 30 minutes, perfect for busy home cooks craving a gourmet meal without complex techniques.
• Transform Ordinary Dinner: The creamy sauce with sun-dried tomatoes and red pepper flakes elevates a simple pasta dish into an exciting, flavor-packed experience that will wow family and friends.
• Customize with Ease: Versatile recipe allows swapping proteins, adjusting spice levels, or adding extra vegetables, making it adaptable for different tastes and dietary preferences.
• One-Skillet Wonder: Minimal cleanup and straightforward cooking process mean less time in the kitchen and more time enjoying a delectable meal together.

Creamy Marry Me Shrimp Pasta Ingredient Guide

• Pasta: Classic base for capturing the delicious creamy sauce, choose a medium-sized shape like penne or fettuccine for best sauce coating.
• Shrimp: Sweet and tender protein that adds luxurious seafood flavor, select fresh or frozen large shrimp for optimal texture.

• Salt, Black Pepper, Paprika: Essential spices that boost shrimp's natural taste and add mild warmth to the dish.
• Garlic, Red Pepper Flakes: Provides aromatic depth and slight heat, fresh garlic recommended for most vibrant flavor.
• Italian Seasoning: Herb blend that adds complexity and traditional Mediterranean notes.
• Sun-dried Tomatoes: Concentrated sweet-tangy element that complements seafood perfectly.

• Olive Oil, Butter: Rich cooking fats that create a smooth base and enhance overall richness.
• Chicken Broth: Adds depth and helps deglaze the pan, creating more complex flavor profile.
• Heavy Cream, Parmesan Cheese: Create luxurious, smooth sauce with deep cheesy undertones.
• Lemon Juice: Bright acid that balances the creamy sauce and adds freshness.
• Fresh Basil, Parsley: Delicate herb garnish that provides color and fresh herbal aroma.

Easy Steps For Creamy Marry Me Shrimp Pasta

Step 1: Boil the Pasta Perfectly

Fill a large pot with water and add a generous pinch of salt. Bring the water to a rolling boil. Gently slide the pasta into the bubbling water and cook until it reaches that perfect al dente texture. Once done, drain the pasta and set it aside, ready to meet its delicious sauce.

Step 2: Prepare Mouthwatering Shrimp

• Salt
• Black pepper
• Paprika

Warm up a skillet with a swirl of olive oil and a knob of butter. Once the pan is sizzling, introduce the shrimp. Cook them until they turn a beautiful pink and become slightly curled. This should take about 2 minutes per side. Transfer the shrimp to a waiting plate.

Step 3: Create the Dreamy Cream Sauce

• Minced garlic
• Red pepper flakes
• Chopped sun-dried tomatoes

• Heavy cream
• Grated parmesan cheese
• Italian seasoning
• Salt
• Black pepper

Let the sauce simmer and thicken, developing a rich, creamy consistency. Finish with a splash of fresh lemon juice, stirring to blend all the flavors.

Step 4: Marry the Ingredients Together

Reunite the shrimp and pasta with the velvety sauce. Toss everything together, ensuring each piece is lovingly coated. Let the mixture simmer for a couple of minutes, allowing the flavors to become best friends.

Step 5: Serve with Love

Sprinkle some freshly chopped basil or parsley over the top for a burst of color and freshness. Slide the pasta onto warm plates, accompanied by a sprinkle of extra parmesan and some crusty garlic bread on the side. This dish is guaranteed to make someone fall head over heels in love!

Pro Tips For Creamy Marry Me Shrimp Pasta

• Dry Shrimp Perfectly: Pat shrimp completely dry with paper towels to achieve a beautiful golden sear and prevent steaming in the pan.
• Balance Spice Levels: Adjust red pepper flakes based on your heat tolerance, starting with a small pinch and adding more for extra kick.
• Prevent Sauce Separation: Simmer the cream sauce gently and avoid boiling to keep the sauce smooth and prevent curdling.
• Customize Protein Options: Swap shrimp with chicken or plant-based alternatives like tofu for different dietary preferences while maintaining the delicious creamy sauce.
• Maximize Flavor Depth: Toast Italian seasoning briefly in the pan before adding liquids to enhance its aromatic qualities and intensify the overall taste profile.

How To Keep Creamy Marry Me Shrimp Pasta Fresh

• Refrigerate leftover creamy shrimp pasta in an airtight container for maximum freshness.
• Store the dish in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days, ensuring the best quality and taste.
• Gently reheat in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of chicken broth or cream to restore the sauce's creamy consistency.
• Avoid microwaving if possible, as it can make the pasta tough and separate the sauce.
• Do not freeze this pasta, since cream-based sauces tend to break down and become grainy when thawed, compromising the delightful texture and flavor of the dish.

Perfect Matches For Creamy Marry Me Shrimp Pasta

• Pair with Crisp White Wine: Select a zesty sauvignon blanc or pinot grigio that cuts through the creamy sauce and complements the shrimp's delicate flavor, creating a refreshing balance.
• Serve with Garlic Herb Focaccia: Crusty, aromatic bread perfectly soaks up the rich sauce, adding texture and enhancing the dish's Italian-inspired profile with its herbaceous notes.
• Match with Lemony Arugula Salad: A bright, peppery side salad dressed with lemon vinaigrette provides a tangy contrast to the creamy pasta, cleansing the palate between bites.
• Pour Chilled Prosecco: Sparkling Italian wine adds effervescence and light acidity that beautifully cuts through the heavy cream, elevating the entire dining experience with a touch of elegance.

Creamy Marry Me Shrimp Pasta Variations You’ll Crave

• Mediterranean Seafood Symphony: Replace shrimp with a mix of calamari, scallops, and mussels for a rich ocean-inspired experience that brings coastal Italian vibes to your plate.
• Spicy Cajun Carnival: Add andouille sausage, increase red pepper flakes, and swap Italian seasoning for Cajun spice blend to create a bold, zesty Louisiana-style pasta with a serious kick.
• Veggie Lover's Dream: Substitute shrimp with roasted seasonal vegetables like zucchini, bell peppers, and asparagus, keeping the creamy sauce and adding nutritional yeast for extra depth.
• Protein Power Plate: Transform the recipe by using grilled chicken breast instead of shrimp, maintaining the same creamy sauce and herbaceous notes for a protein-packed meal.

Questions On Creamy Marry Me Shrimp Pasta

The name suggests this dish is so delicious that it might actually make someone want to propose marriage! It’s a playful nickname highlighting how incredibly flavorful and irresistible this pasta recipe is.

• Can I use frozen shrimp for this recipe?

Absolutely! Just thaw the shrimp completely and pat them dry before seasoning. Make sure to remove excess moisture so they sear nicely and develop a beautiful golden color in the skillet.

• What makes the sauce so creamy and rich?

The combination of heavy cream, chicken broth, and parmesan cheese creates a luxurious sauce. The parmesan adds depth and saltiness, while the cream provides a smooth, velvety texture that coats the pasta and shrimp perfectly.

• Is this recipe spicy?

The recipe includes a small amount of red pepper flakes, which adds a subtle warmth. If you prefer less heat, you can reduce or completely omit the red pepper flakes without compromising the overall flavor profile of the dish.

Creamy Marry Me Shrimp Pasta Recipe

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4.5 from 31 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Marry Me Shrimp Pasta seduces palates with rich, garlicky sauce and succulent seafood. Romantic dinner dreams come true when creamy, herb-kissed shrimp twirl around perfectly cooked pasta, promising pure culinary bliss you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 1 lb (454 grams) shrimp, peeled & deveined

Seasonings and Spices:

• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• ½ teaspoon paprika
• ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for spice)
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• ½ teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
• ½ teaspoon black pepper

Cooking Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
• 1 cup heavy cream
• ½ cup chicken broth (or seafood broth)
• ½ cup parmesan cheese, grated
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice (for balance)
• ¼ cup fresh basil or parsley, chopped
• ½ lb (227 grams) pasta (fettuccine, linguine, or penne)
• 1 tablespoon salt (for boiling water)

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Instructions

1. Prepare the foundation by bringing a generously salted water reservoir to a rolling boil, then submerge the pasta strands, allowing them to dance and soften until achieving the perfect tender-yet-firm texture. Carefully extract and reserve the cooked noodles.
2. Meticulously pat the seafood proteins dry, then lavish them with a harmonious blend of seasoning, ensuring each morsel is thoroughly embraced by salt, pepper, and smoky paprika’s warmth.
3. Ignite a skillet with a luxurious marriage of olive oil and butter, creating a golden stage for the shrimp’s culinary performance. Sear each crustacean until they transform into a blush-pink symphony, then gently relocate them from the pan.
4. Within the same heated vessel, introduce aromatic garlic, fiery red pepper flakes, and vibrant sun-dried tomatoes, allowing their essence to permeate the environment for a fleeting moment.
5. Stream chicken broth into the skillet, using its liquid embrace to liberate the caramelized remnants clinging to the pan’s surface, unlocking layers of concentrated flavor.
6. Cascade heavy cream into the bubbling landscape, accompanied by parmesan’s salty whispers, Italian herb medley, and nuanced seasoning. Allow the mixture to waltz and thicken, developing a velvety consistency that promises indulgence.
7. Brighten the sauce’s profound richness with a splash of citrusy lemon juice, stirring to integrate its luminous character.
8. Reunite the reserved shrimp and pasta within this creamy sanctuary, gently tumbling them to ensure each ingredient is lavishly coated in the sumptuous sauce.
9. Let the ensemble simmer briefly, permitting the flavors to intertwine and create a harmonious culinary narrative.
10. Crown the dish with a delicate sprinkle of fresh basil or parsley, transforming the presentation into a verdant masterpiece.
11. Present immediately, accompanied by additional parmesan and golden, aromatic garlic bread, inviting diners into a sensory journey of maritime elegance.

Notes

• Always use fresh, high-quality shrimp for the best flavor and texture in this dish.
• Pat shrimp completely dry before seasoning to ensure a perfect golden sear and prevent steaming.
• Adjust red pepper flakes to control the heat level, making it mild or spicy based on personal preference.
• For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or Greek yogurt to reduce calories while maintaining creaminess.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Mixing
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 721
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 1080 mg
• Fat: 34 g
• Saturated Fat: 16 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 70 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 32 g
• Cholesterol: 290 mg