This creamy Tuscan garlic shrimp perfectly combines succulent shrimp, flavorful sun-dried tomatoes, and al dente pasta. The luscious cream sauce is made with a base of garlic, heavy cream, and parmesan cheese, which perfectly complements the fresh ingredients.
One of the best things about this dish is its simplicity. With just a few key ingredients and minimal prep time, you can have a delicious meal on the table in no time.
Jump to:
- ❤️ Creamy shrimp pasta
- 📝 Ingredients you'll need
- 🥣 Before you begin: essential tools
- 🥄 Step by step: instructions
- 👩🍳 Variations to make it your own
- 👍Let's make the perfect recipe: Amira's tips
- 🍽️ Perfect pairings: what to serve with
- 🧺 How to store leftovers
- ⌛ Make Ahead
- 💬 Your questions answered: FAQs
- 📣 Related Recipes
- 🍤 More Shrimp Recipes
- Tuscan Shrimp Pasta
❤️ Creamy shrimp pasta
- The flavors in this dish are perfectly balanced, making it a crowd-pleaser for seafood lovers
- The rich and creamy sauce pairs well with any type of pasta, so it's a great way to use up any type that you have on hand.
- The creamy sauce also makes it a great option for picky eaters or those who may not typically enjoy seafood.
One of my favorite things about this recipe is that it's quick to put together. It comes together in less than 30 minutes which means that it's perfect for busy weeknights.
📝 Ingredients you'll need
Note: This is an overview of the ingredients. You'll find the full measurements and instructions in the recipe card (printable) at the bottom of the page.
📋 Ingredient Notes
- Pasta - You can use any shape of pasta that you want. I like to use either a long pasta like spaghetti or linguine or a round shape like penne.
- Pasta water - The starch in this water will help add some extra moisture to your sauce without making it thin and watery.
- Butter - Salted butter will give this creamy sauce a rich flavor.
- Olive oil - Helps keep the butter from burning and adds some flavor.
- Raw shrimp - I've found that small shrimp (41-60 per pound) are best for this recipe, but any size will do.
- Garlic cloves - Add a delicious garlic flavor to the sauce
- Dry basil - I like a little extra flavor from the dried version cooked into the dish itself. You can also use Italian seasoning.
- Sun-dried tomatoes in oil - We're using these to add a burst of flavor to the sauce.
- Heavy whipping cream - This adds a rich, creamy texture to the sauce.
- Parmesan Cheese - Adding freshly grated parmesan cheese to the sauce not only thickens it a bit but also gives it an extra layer of flavor.
- Baby spinach - This is optional but adds some greens to the dish. I recommend using fresh spinach if possible.
- Salt and black pepper - Add these basic seasonings to taste in this simple pasta dish.
🥣 Before you begin: essential tools
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- Large pot
- Large skillet
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🥄 Step by step: instructions
Note: This is an overview of the instructions. The detailed instructions are in the recipe card below.
- In a large pot cook pasta in salt water to al dente reserving half a cup of the cooking water.
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add butter and oil then cook shrimp for a couple of minutes until most of the shrimp is no longer pink. Add minced garlic and chopped sun dried tomatoes, spinach and cook for another minute.
- Add pasta water, heavy cream, basil, parmesan cheese and mix all well. Season with salt and black pepper.
- Add pasta and toss to coat just before serving.
👩🍳 Variations to make it your own
- For extra flavor, add some red pepper flakes or a pinch of cayenne pepper to the sauce.
- To make this dish even more hearty, add some cooked chicken or sausage to the skillet with the shrimp.
- You can also use cherry tomatoes if you do not like sundried tomatoes.
- Switch up the pasta shape for a different texture and look. Try using shells, fusilli, or even ravioli for a fun twist on this dish.
👍Let's make the perfect recipe: Amira's tips
- Don't overcook the shrimp! They will continue cooking in the warm sauce and can become rubbery if cooked for too long.
- Follow the directions on the package to get the perfect al dente pasta. It will cook a little more when finished in the sauce, so be careful to not overcook it.
- Add more or less pasta water to get your desired consistency of the sauce.
- Fresh basil and a sprinkle of freshly grated parmesan cheese are great garnishes for this creamy pasta recipe.
🍽️ Perfect pairings: what to serve with
- I love to serve this creamy pasta with a side of crusty bread like this Air Fryer Garlic Bread.
- Are you looking for a fresh salad to serve with this comforting meal? This Greek Salad or Fattoush Salad recipes are not only fresh but also full of delicious flavor.
- End this family-friendly meal with these No-Bake Strawberry Cheesecake Cups. These are light and refreshing and perfect after a hearty pasta recipe like this one.
🧺 How to store leftovers
Refrigerate: Store leftover Tuscan shrimp in the fridge in an airtight container for 2-3 days.
Freezer - I do not recommend freezing this pasta because the pasta can be mushy and the sauce may separate.
Reheat - To reheat, just place the desired amount in a skillet over medium heat until warmed through. You may need to add a little bit of water, heavy cream or chicken broth to make the sauce thin and creamy again.
⌛ Make Ahead
This pasta dish is best enjoyed fresh, but you can make the sauce ahead of time and store it in the fridge for a day or two. Just reheat and add cooked pasta and shrimp whenever you're ready to eat!
💬 Your questions answered: FAQs
The best way to reheat this creamy shrimp pasta is on the stovetop over medium heat. Add a splash of water or milk to help loosen up the sauce as it warms up.
No, I don't recommend freezing this dish as it contains dairy and may separate when reheated. It's best to enjoy it fresh or store it in the fridge for a few days.
📣 Related Recipes
- Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta is another delicious Italian-inspired dish that you'll love.
- Creamy Pasta Bake is a family favorite that is loaded with ground beef, and a creamy bachemel sauce. You can't go wrong.
- Smoked Salmon Pasta is another seafood pasta recipe to try, made with an easy cream sauce that you'll love.
- Flavorful and tender with a delightful crispiness on the outside, Pan Fried Tilapia is a balanced, healthy dinner, cooked to golden perfection and deliciously seasoned.
- This Baked Sea Bass is one of our favorite fish recipes. A whole fish is seasoned and topped with the most fresh and flavorful vegetable mix and baked perfectly for a flaky healthy dinner.
🍤 More Shrimp Recipes
- Make a fiesta dinner in one skillet in just 20 minutes. This sizzling Shrimp Fajitas recipe is the perfect juicy shrimp dinner for family and friends.
- The bold spices and tangy sour cream sauce on these Baja Shrimp Tacos are going to make your mouth sing. Kick back and relax on a tropical vacation with this 20 minute easy dinner idea.
- Air Fryer Shrimp Tacos ready in less than 15 minutes making it a great healthy weeknight dinner. Succulent shrimp, zesty spices, creamy taco sauce and crunchy slaw a delightful combination of flavors and textures.
- Craving Shrimp Scampi without Wine? Try my delicious recipe with all the garlicky goodness and a simple substitution!
I love easy dinner ideas, and shrimp pasts recipes are always a favorite at my home. Do you like shrimp recipes? I would love for you to leave me a comment below telling me what do you think? If you like this recipe, do not forget to give it a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ star rating.
Tuscan Shrimp Pasta
Ingredients
- 6-8 ounce pasta of choice reserving ½ cup of the cooking water
- 1 Tablespoon butter
- 2 Tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound raw shrimp peeled and deveined
- 3 garlic cloves minced
- ½ teaspoon dry basil
- ⅓ cup sun dried tomato in oil drained and chopped
- 1 ¼ cup heavy whipping cream
- ¼ cup parmesan cheese shredded
- 1 cup baby spinach
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a large pot over medium heat cook pasta in salty water al dente reserving half a cup of the cooking water.
- În a large skillet over medium heat add butter and oil then wait for the butter to melt.
- Add shrimp and cook for 2 minutes until most of the shrimp is no longer pink, we do not want them fully cooked at this stage.
- Add minced garlic and sauté with the shrimp for 30 more seconds.
- Mix in chopped sun dried tomatoes, spinach and cook for another minute.
- Add pasta water, heavy cream, basil, parmesan cheese and mix all well.
- Season with salt and black pepper.
- Add pasta and toss to coat just before serving.
Stephen
Amira this is just amazing I have made sure I have all the ingredients to make it for tonight Plus I do my own sundried tomatoes, Thank you so much .
Amira
Oh never thought of making my own sundried tomatoes!! I bet it is more flavorful than store bought. Thanks Stephen.
Teresa
The tomato sends this over the top for me! Can't wait to try it. I'm already subscribed.
T
Amira
It is my favorite part too Teresa, thanks.
Donna S.
This is definitely something I’ll be making for my husband this weekend.
Amira
Awesome, I hope he will like it.
Diane Zaidan
This recipe is so simple and delicious. Will be a “go to” recipe when I want some quick. Thanks for sharing.
Amira
You are right Diane, I've made this 3 times last month and it is a favorite here. Thanks
Mireille
Simple yet delicious recipe. Will be added to my list of pasta dishes that we love to cook.
Amira
This is great, I hope you'll try it soon Mireille.
Adrienne
This is definitely going to be added to my rotation of go-to dinners! So easy and quick and I love the addition of the sun-dried tomatoes. They have so much flavor!
KitchenWench
This looks amazing and will fit right into our rotation of meals that don't have red meat in tgem!
Norma A Weil
Sounds like tonights dinner. I have all ingredients except fresh spinach so Im going to use my frozen spinach.
Della
I've been looking for a good shrimp and pasta recipe and now I have one! It looks so good too! I can't wait to try and make this next week! Thank you!! ❤
Amira
You're going to love this recipe Della. It's so easy and SO GOOD! I'm so glad you're going to give it a try!!
Barb Cook
This looks delicious!
Michelle
Can’t wait to try! My family and I love shrimp and can’t get enough of it.
Amira
You're so welcome Michelle, it's perfect for shrimp lovers, I hope you give it a try!
Stephanie
I cannot wait to make this! It looks so tasty!!
Lyn S
It looks amazing! I can almost smell it through my phone! Definitely saving this one and trying it tonight
Marilou Morgan
This looks delicious!
cheri box
this sounds soul soothing. So decadent!
Amira
Thanks, it was very delicious.
Laurie Doelle
Looks yummy! I love ur recipes.
Amira
Thanks Laurie, I hope you'll try it.