This Creamy Tuscan Shrimp recipe is an easy weeknight meal that’s bursting with flavor. Tender shrimp are bathed in a luscious, creamy sauce with sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, and garlic, making it utterly irresistible. Serve it over pasta, rice, or with crusty bread to soak up every last drop of that incredible sauce.
This simple dish is packed with savory, comforting flavors, guaranteed to become a new family favorite.
Recipe Details
- Flavor Profile: Savory, creamy, and herbaceous with bright notes from the sun-dried tomatoes.
- Textures: Tender shrimp, creamy sauce, and wilted spinach for a delightful combination of textures.
- Total Time: Approximately 30 minutes.
- Difficulty: Easy, perfect for beginner cooks.
What You’ll Need
This Creamy Tuscan Shrimp is a one-pan wonder that comes together quickly. You’ll need fresh shrimp as the star, a creamy base with heavy cream, chicken broth, and Parmesan cheese. Sun-dried tomatoes and spinach add a burst of color and flavor, and garlic and Italian seasoning round out the savory profile.
Ingredient Notes
- Shrimp – Use large shrimp (26/30 or larger) for the best results. Peeled and deveined shrimp will save you prep time, but you can certainly do this yourself as well!
- Sun-Dried Tomatoes – The oil-packed variety gives the best flavor. Make sure you drain them well before adding them to the sauce.
- Heavy Cream – This is what makes the sauce so rich and creamy. Don’t substitute with a lighter cream, or the sauce might not thicken properly. If you wish to use a substitue, use a heavy cream alternative.
- Spinach – Fresh spinach wilts beautifully into the sauce. Baby spinach will cook down quickly, but other varieties work just as well.
- Chicken Broth – Adds depth of flavor to the sauce. Low-sodium is recommended so you can control the saltiness.
- Parmesan Cheese – Freshly grated Parmesan cheese melts into the sauce, adding a salty and nutty flavor.
- Italian Seasoning – This blend of herbs brings a classic Tuscan flavor to this dish.
Add-ins and Substitutions
- Spice it Up – Add a pinch of red pepper flakes for a touch of heat.
- Add Vegetables – Sauté some sliced bell peppers or mushrooms with the garlic for extra vegetables.
- Use Other Proteins – This recipe works just as well with chicken or cod.
How to Make Creamy Tuscan Shrimp
This recipe is incredibly straightforward, so let’s get started.
- Sauté the aromatics: In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds, until fragrant.
- Add the shrimp: Add the shrimp to the skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes per side, or until pink and opaque. Remove the shrimp from the skillet and set aside.
- Pro Tip: Don’t overcrowd the skillet with shrimp; cook them in batches if necessary to ensure they cook evenly.
- Make the sauce: Add the sun-dried tomatoes, chicken broth, heavy cream, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper to the skillet. Bring to a simmer, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan to add more flavor to the sauce.
- Add the spinach: Add the spinach to the sauce and cook until wilted, about 2-3 minutes.
- Finish and serve: Stir in the Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth. Return the shrimp to the skillet and cook for another minute or two, until heated through. Serve immediately, garnished with fresh parsley.
Recipe Tips
- Don’t overcook the shrimp. They cook quickly, so keep an eye on them.
- Use a large skillet to give the shrimp and sauce plenty of space.
- If your sauce is too thick, add a splash more chicken broth.
- Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed, adding more salt and pepper to suit your taste.
- Freshly grated Parmesan cheese melts much better than pre-shredded cheese.
FAQs
- Can I use frozen shrimp? Yes, thaw the shrimp completely before cooking. Pat them dry before adding to the skillet.
- Can I use other types of pasta? Yes, any type of pasta works.
- What can I add as garnish? Fresh parsley, a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese, or a drizzle of olive oil are all great options.
Serving Suggestions
- Pasta: Serve over your favorite pasta, such as fettuccine, linguine, or penne.
- Rice: Cook some fluffy white or brown rice to soak up the creamy sauce.
- Crusty Bread: Perfect for dipping into the sauce.
- Salad: A simple salad with a light vinaigrette makes a good side dish.
Make This Recipe in Advance
You can make the sauce ahead of time. Prepare the sauce according to the recipe, but don’t add the shrimp. Store the sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. When ready to serve, reheat the sauce in a skillet and add the cooked shrimp.
Creamy Tuscan Shrimp Recipe
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 2-3 servings 1x
Description
This Creamy Tuscan Shrimp recipe is an easy weeknight meal that’s bursting with flavor. Tender shrimp are bathed in a luscious, creamy sauce with sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, and garlic, making it utterly irresistible. Serve it over pasta, rice, or with crusty bread to soak up every last drop of that incredible sauce.
Ingredients
1 pound shrimp (I use 31–40 count size) thawed & peeled, tails optional
2 tablespoons butter
1 teaspoon flour
4–5 cloves garlic minced
1 cup heavy/whipping cream
1/2 teaspoon lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1/4 cup chopped or julienned sun-dried tomatoes
1–2 cups (packed) fresh baby spinach
Handful fresh basil cut into thin strips
Salt & pepper to taste
Instructions
Prepare your shrimp.
Melt butter in a skillet. Stir in flour until smooth.
Add garlic and cook briefly.
Stir in cream, lemon juice, Italian seasoning, and sun-dried tomatoes. Simmer.
Add shrimp and cook until done.
Add spinach and basil; cook until wilted. Season and serve.
Notes
Don’t overcook the shrimp. They cook quickly, so keep an eye on them.
Use a large skillet to give the shrimp and sauce plenty of space.
If your sauce is too thick, add a splash more chicken broth.
Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed, adding more salt and pepper to suit your taste.
Freshly grated Parmesan cheese melts much better than pre-shredded cheese.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Seafood
- Cuisine: Tuscan
Nutrition
- Calories: 450
- Fat: 35g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Protein: 25g
