Garlic Shrimp Pasta is the perfect easy recipe for a busy weeknight. Pasta and sautéed shrimp are tossed in a creamy homemade white wine sauce for a light yet hearty meal.
Filed under recipes that make me feel like a fancy restaurant chef, even though what I’m actually doing is stirring noodles and drinking wine: Garlic Shrimp Pasta! This quick, easy, and healthy shrimp recipe tastes like the sort of special date-night dinner I crave on a Friday, all for the level of effort I’m willing to put in on a Thursday. Read: VERY LITTLE EFFORT.Serve with a side of garlic bread and a fresh arugula salad for a delicious summer dinner ‘al fresco’.
EASY RECIPE
You’ve come to the right place for shrimp recipes! I’ve made all kinds
of shrimp pasta through the years, such as creamy shrimp pasta with
mushrooms and pesto shrimp pasta, and this recipe definitely stands out
as one of my favorites!
Shrimp is a great weeknight protein because it cooks in about 5 minutes whether you’re making Grilled Shrimp or shrimp tacos. In this recipe the shrimp and sauce are all made in one pan as the pasta cooks and the whole thing is table ready in about 30 minutes!
How to Make Garlic Shrimp Pasta
This shrimp pasta a ridiculously easy recipe which makes it a perfect choice for a weeknight dinner. The recipe pretty much involves only few steps.
- First, the shrimp is cooked in olive oil with lots of garlic. And, while you do it, your kitchen will smell so good!
- Next, Cook the pasta according to package instructions. Drain. reserving one cup of pasta water to add to the sauce, if necessary.
- Remove and deglaze pan with white wine and lemon juice.
- Add remaining ingredients, stirring constantly until sauce is barely thickened.
- Finally, combine everything together: shrimp, pasta, and the cream sauceContinue stirring until heated thoroughly. ! YUM!
- Serve with a generous dose of parmesan cheese…and more vino of course!
What to Serve with Garlic Shrimp Pasta
Breadsticks are definitely the go-to here, especially for soaking up any leftover sauce. A bright salad with a tangy vinaigrette works well too since the acidic dressing will ‘cleanse’ the palate from this rich, alfredo-style sauce.
HOW TO MAKE IT GLUTEN-FREE
Use gluten-free brown rice penne or any other type of gluten-free short pasta. You can use gluten-free lentil penne or gluten-free quinoa pasta.
Cook gluten-free pasta according to package instructions. Then drain and rinse with cold water to prevent gluten-free pasta from getting mushy and sticking together.
HOW TO STORE AND REHEAT SHRIMP PASTA
Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container, refrigerated, for up to 4 days.
Reheating: Reheat this in a shallow pan on the stove on low or in the microwave! If it’s been in the fridge, give it a stir and adjust the flavors with a splash (or two!) of wine/cream, a pinch of red pepper flakes and some salt & pepper.
Freezer: Cooked pasta in creamy sauces rarely freeze well. I’d recommend refrigerating leftovers and enjoying within a few days (this recipe can be halved if needed).
TIPS AND TRICKS
Be careful not to overcook the shrimp. Do keep in mind that it’s really easy to overcook the shrimp which will make it tough and rubbery and not so tasty. That’s why it’s important to have all ingredients ready to go and make this recipe as fast as you can and serve it immediately! That way you won’t give a chance to shrimp to sit around and cook in its own juices.
Use short pasta (penne) – that allows the sauce to coat every single bite!
Make sure to season the shrimp pasta with just enough salt to bring out of all the other flavors . Do not add too much salt but do not skimp on it, either.
Full recipe:
Prep Time : 30 mn
Cook Time : 30 mn
Ingredients
• ¾ pound medium shrimp peeled and deveined
• 1 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning
• 8 ounces penne pasta (for gluten free version, use gluten free brown rice pasta)
• salt and pepper to taste
• ⅔ cup white wine
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• ¼ cup butter
• 4 cloves garlic finely chopped
• ½ cup heavy cream
• ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
• ½ cup chicken broth
• ¼ cup parsley
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
Instructions
How to cook pasta
Cook pasta according to package instructions. Reserve some cooked pasta water. Drain the pasta.
How to cook shrimp
Season shrimp with old bay seasoning, red pepper flakes, and salt & pepper to taste.
Heat the oil in a large skillet. Add the shrimp and garlic and cook for 2 minutes, turn over and cook 1 minute more. Remove shrimp and set aside.
Add wine and lemon juice to deglaze pan. Add butter, cream and chicken broth. Simmer 5 minutes or until slightly reduced.
How to assemble shrimp pasta
Drain spaghetti, reserving 1 cup of pasta water.
Return the shrimp to the skillet and cook until heated through. Stir in pasta and parsley and cook until heated through adding pasta water if needed.
Nutrition Information
Calories: 606, Carbohydrates: 47g, Fat: 32g, Saturated Fat: 15g, Protein: 26g, Cholesterol: 286mg, Sodium: 893mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 2g, Vitamin A: 1195IU,Potassium: 301mg, Vitamin C: 14mg, Calcium: 177mg, Iron: 3mg