Description
This Creamy Garlic Shrimp Pasta is a luxurious yet quick dinner that feels like a fancy date night meal but comes together in just 30 minutes. Plump, juicy shrimp are seared with savory spices and tossed with tender linguine in a rich, velvety garlic Parmesan sauce. With a smooth, comforting texture and a kick of Old Bay seasoning, this pasta dish is sure to become a weeknight favorite.
Ingredients
The Pasta & Shrimp
- 8 ounces (225g) linguine pasta (or fettuccine/spaghetti)
- 1 pound (450g) raw shrimp (peeled and deveined)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 1/2 tablespoons butter, divided
- 1 tablespoon Old Bay seasoning (optional, or use smoked paprika/Cajun)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
The Creamy Sauce
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup (120ml) heavy cream
- 1/2 cup (40g) grated Parmesan cheese
- Reserved pasta water (as needed)
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley (for garnish)
Instructions
Cook the Pasta
Boil water in a medium saucepan and salt it generously. Cook the linguine according to package instructions until firm to the bite (al dente). Crucial Step: Before draining, reserve 1 cup of the starchy pasta water. Drain the pasta and set aside.
Sear the Shrimp
In a large skillet over medium heat, melt 1 tablespoon of the butter with the olive oil. Add the shrimp. Cook for about a minute, then season with the salt, pepper, and Old Bay seasoning.
Finish Shrimp
Continue cooking until the shrimp are pink and opaque (about 2-3 minutes total). Do this in batches if needed to avoid overcrowding. Remove shrimp to a plate.
Make the Sauce
In the same pan (do not wipe it out!), melt the remaining 1/2 tablespoon of butter. Add the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
Deglaze & Simmer
Pour in the heavy cream, using a spatula to scrape up the flavorful browned bits from the shrimp. Add the grated Parmesan and stir until melted.
Thicken
Splash in a little of the reserved pasta water to loosen the sauce. Simmer for 1 minute until slightly thickened. Taste and adjust salt/pepper.
Combine
Toss the cooked pasta into the sauce until well coated. Add the shrimp back to the pan and toss gently to reheat.
Serve
Garnish with fresh chopped parsley and serve immediately.
Notes
Don’t Burn the Garlic: Garlic cooks very fast. It only needs 30 seconds to release its aroma. If it turns dark brown or black, it will make the sauce bitter.
Pasta Water Magic: The reserved starchy water is the secret to a silky sauce. If the cream sauce becomes too thick or “gloopy” when you add the cheese, a splash of this water smooths it right out.
Shrimp Prep: If using frozen shrimp, ensure they are fully thawed and patted dry with paper towels before cooking. Wet shrimp will steam instead of searing, preventing that nice flavor development.
Cheese Matters: Grate your own Parmesan from a block. Pre-grated cheeses often have coatings that prevent them from melting into a smooth sauce.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop / Skillet
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 Serving (approx. 1/3 of recipe)
- Calories: 620
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 980mg
- Fat: 34g
- Saturated Fat: 18g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 48g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 265mg
Keywords: creamy garlic shrimp pasta, shrimp linguine, 30 minute meals, date night dinner ideas, seafood pasta recipe, old bay shrimp pasta, easy cream sauce