Description
Garlic lovers will adore this creamy garlic shrimp pasta recipe that brings Mediterranean flavors to your dinner table. Delicate shrimp nestle among silky noodles, promising a luxurious meal you can savor with friends.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (450 g) large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 12 oz (340 g) pasta (linguine, spaghetti, or fettuccine)
- 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream
- 2 tbsps unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ cup (50 g) grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp salt (for boiling water)
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- 2 tbsps fresh parsley, chopped
- ¼ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Extra Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Pasta Preparation: Bring a large pot of salted water to a vigorous boil. Cook pasta until perfectly al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of starchy cooking liquid before draining.
- Shrimp Seasoning and Searing: Coat shrimp with smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. In a skillet over medium-high heat, sear shrimp in olive oil for 1-2 minutes per side until pink and translucent. Remove and set aside.
- Sauce Creation: In the same skillet, reduce heat and melt butter. Add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant. Pour in heavy cream, allowing it to simmer. Whisk in Parmesan cheese and red pepper flakes, stirring until the sauce thickens. Enhance with a squeeze of lemon juice, then season with salt and pepper.
- Combining Elements: Integrate cooked pasta into the cream sauce, ensuring complete coverage. If needed, thin the sauce with reserved pasta water. Gently fold in the seared shrimp, coating them thoroughly with the creamy mixture.
- Plating and Finishing: Transfer pasta to serving plates. Embellish with freshly chopped parsley and an additional sprinkle of Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately while piping hot and aromatic.
Notes
- Manage Pasta Texture: Cook pasta just until al dente to prevent mushiness, ensuring each bite maintains a slight resistance when chewed.
- Control Shrimp Cooking Time: Sear shrimp quickly (1-2 minutes per side) to prevent overcooking, which can make them tough and rubbery.
- Balance Sauce Consistency: Use reserved pasta water strategically to thin the sauce if it becomes too thick, creating a silky, smooth coating for the pasta.
- Customize Flavor Profile: Adjust seasoning with red pepper flakes for heat, extra Parmesan for richness, or lemon juice for brightness, tailoring the dish to personal taste preferences.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3
- Calories: 600
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 32g
- Saturated Fat: 18g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 60g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 200mg