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Creamy Marry Me Shrimp Pasta Recipe Easy Sun-Dried Tomato Sauce

creamy marry me shrimp pasta - featured image

A quick and easy creamy shrimp pasta with a rich sun-dried tomato sauce that balances comfort and elegance, perfect for weeknight dinners or special occasions.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 8 ounces fettuccine or linguine pasta (gluten-free pasta works well too)
  • ½ cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • ½ cup chicken broth
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • A handful fresh basil, chopped
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 oz of fettuccine and cook according to package instructions until al dente, about 10-12 minutes. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water, then drain and set aside.
  2. Pat 1 lb of shrimp dry with paper towels and season lightly with salt and pepper.
  3. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil and 1 tablespoon butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add shrimp and cook for 2-3 minutes per side until pink and opaque. Remove shrimp and set aside.
  4. In the same skillet, add remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil. Add minced garlic and chopped sun-dried tomatoes. Cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant, stirring constantly.
  5. Pour in ½ cup chicken broth and 1 cup heavy cream. Stir and bring to a gentle simmer. Let thicken for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add reserved pasta water if sauce is too thick.
  6. Stir in ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth. Add red pepper flakes if using. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  7. Add cooked pasta and shrimp back into the skillet. Toss gently to coat evenly in the sauce. Add more pasta water if needed to loosen the sauce.
  8. Remove from heat and sprinkle with chopped fresh basil. Toss gently once more.
  9. Serve immediately, adding extra Parmesan on top if desired.

Notes

Do not overcook shrimp to avoid rubbery texture. Use reserved pasta water to adjust sauce consistency. Simmer cream and broth gently to prevent curdling. Dry shrimp before cooking for better sear. Substitute roasted red peppers if sun-dried tomatoes are unavailable. For dairy-free, use coconut milk and vegan Parmesan.

Nutrition

Keywords: shrimp pasta, creamy pasta, sun-dried tomato sauce, quick dinner, easy shrimp recipe, seafood pasta, weeknight meal