Luscious Creamy Tuscan Shrimp Linguine Recipe for Pasta Lovers
My recent obsession with creamy Tuscan shrimp linguine started during a spontaneous kitchen experiment last weekend.
Mediterranean flavors dance across this incredible pasta dish with remarkable elegance.
Succulent shrimp nestle into silky sauce, creating layers of rich, complex taste.
Twirling perfectly cooked linguine strands around plump, juicy seafood medallions.
Herbs and garlic whisper subtle nuances that transport you straight to coastal Italy.
Parmesan cheese adds a delightful depth that makes each bite absolutely irresistible.
You’ll want to savor every single morsel of this restaurant-quality meal right at home.
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Common Questions About Creamy Tuscan Shrimp Linguine
This recipe combines classic Italian flavors with creamy, rich ingredients. The sun-dried tomatoes and spinach add depth, while the Parmesan cheese creates a luxurious sauce that perfectly coats the linguine.
Absolutely! Just thaw the shrimp completely and pat them dry before cooking. Make sure to remove any excess moisture to help the shrimp brown nicely and prevent a watery sauce.
The recipe has a mild kick from red pepper flakes, but you can easily adjust the heat level. Leave out the red pepper flakes for a milder version, or add more if you like a spicier dish.
You can use half-and-half instead of heavy cream, choose whole wheat linguine, and add extra vegetables like bell peppers or zucchini to boost the nutritional value without compromising flavor.
What Makes Creamy Tuscan Shrimp Linguine So Tasty
Creamy Tuscan Shrimp Linguine Ingredients
Pasta and Shrimp Base:Seasoning and Spices:Sauce and Dairy Components:Additional Flavor Enhancers:Cooking Liquids:How To Cook Creamy Tuscan Shrimp Linguine
Step 1: Boil the Pasta
Grab a large pot and fill it with water. Sprinkle in some salt and bring it to a rolling boil. Slide the linguine into the bubbling water and cook until it’s perfectly tender but still has a slight bite. Scoop out a half cup of the starchy water before draining. Give the pasta a quick toss with a splash of olive oil to keep those noodles from getting sticky.
Step 2: Sizzle the Seafood
Warm up a skillet with a drizzle of olive oil over medium heat. Sprinkle your shrimp with a dash of paprika, a pinch of salt, and a crack of black pepper. Feeling adventurous? Add some red pepper flakes for a kick. Cook those little ocean gems until they turn a beautiful pink and look gloriously opaque. Scoot them to a waiting plate.
Step 3: Craft the Velvety Sauce
In the same magical skillet, melt some butter until it’s silky smooth. Toss in minced garlic and let it dance around until it becomes wonderfully fragrant. Pour in:Stir and let the sauce bubble and thicken. Now add:Watch the spinach wilt into the creamy goodness.
Step 4: Marry the Flavors
Slide the linguine into the skillet and twirl it around until every strand is coated in the luscious sauce. If things look too thick, splash in some of that reserved pasta water to loosen things up. Gently nestle the shrimp back into the mix.
Step 5: Plate and Garnish
Divide the creamy, seafood-loaded pasta onto plates. Shower each serving with an extra sprinkle of Parmesan and a few twists of black pepper. Serve right away while it’s steaming hot and irresistibly delicious.
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Creamy Tuscan Shrimp Linguine Recipe
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 1x
Description
Indulgent Tuscan shrimp linguine brings Mediterranean coastal charm to home kitchens with rich, velvety sauce and succulent seafood. Pasta lovers will savor each luxurious bite of this elegant Italian-inspired classic that promises restaurant-quality comfort without leaving home.
Ingredients
Main Proteins:
- 1 lb (450g) large shrimp, peeled and deveined
Pasta and Base:
- 12 oz (340g) linguine
- ½ tsp salt (for boiling water)
Sauce and Flavor Enhancers:
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ cup (120 ml) chicken or vegetable broth
- 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream
- ⅓ cup (40 g) grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ cup (60 g) sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
- 2 cups fresh spinach leaves
Seasonings and Oils:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare a generously salted water bath in a large pot, allowing the linguine to dance and soften until perfectly tender. Carefully extract the pasta, preserving a splash of starchy liquid, then elegantly coat with a whisper of olive oil to prevent clinging.
- Awaken a skillet with a drizzle of olive oil over medium warmth. Lavish the shrimp with a harmonious blend of paprika, salt, pepper, and optional red pepper flakes. Sear each delicate morsel until transforming to a blush pink, approximately 2-3 minutes per side. Gently transfer the cooked seafood to a waiting plate.
- In the same seasoned skillet, coax butter into a golden pool. Introduce minced garlic, allowing its aromatic essence to unfurl. Pour in broth, heavy cream, and Parmesan, creating a luxurious sauce that gradually thickens. Incorporate sun-dried tomatoes, verdant spinach, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper, watching the greens wilt into a vibrant embrace.
- Cascade the linguine into the creamy landscape, twirling to ensure each strand becomes saturated with the velvety sauce. Should the mixture appear too dense, introduce reserved pasta water to achieve a silken consistency. Reunite the shrimp with the pasta, folding them together with gentle reverence.
- Artfully distribute the linguine onto awaiting plates, crowning each serving with a snowfall of Parmesan and a dusting of cracked black pepper. Serve immediately, inviting diners to savor the Tuscan-inspired symphony.
Notes
- Pasta Water Magic: Reserve the starchy pasta water as a secret weapon to adjust sauce consistency and help the sauce cling perfectly to linguine.
- Shrimp Cooking Precision: Avoid overcooking shrimp by watching for that pink, opaque color – they’ll turn rubbery if cooked too long, so aim for just 2-3 minutes per side.
- Spinach Wilting Technique: Add spinach at the last moment to maintain its vibrant green color and prevent it from becoming soggy or losing nutritional value.
- Gluten-Free Adaptation: Swap traditional linguine with gluten-free pasta or zucchini noodles for a low-carb alternative that doesn’t compromise on flavor.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 620
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 850mg
- Fat: 36g
- Saturated Fat: 20g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 250mg
James Mitchell
Founder & Recipe Developer
Expertise
Recipe Creation and Testing, Fusion Cuisine, Food Styling and Photography, Culinary Education
Education
Kendall College, Chicago, IL
The Culinary Institute of America, Hyde Park, NY
James Mitchell is the founder and fearless flavor explorer at Cooking Crusade. With a degree in Culinary Arts from Kendall College and advanced training in global gastronomy from The Culinary Institute of America, James has spent over a decade perfecting the art of recipe creation.
His background includes fine dining, private cheffing, and food styling, but his true joy comes from turning big ideas into doable recipes for home cooks. Every dish he shares is a mix of creativity, culture, and a little kitchen magic, built to bring excitement back to everyday meals.