Description
A quick and elegant pasta dish featuring tender shrimp tossed in a creamy tomato sauce with garlic, herbs, and Parmesan. Ready in under 30 minutes, this recipe delivers restaurant-quality flavor that’s perfect for weeknights or entertaining.
Ingredients
- 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 12 oz pasta (linguine, penne, or fettuccine)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 1 can (14.5 oz) crushed tomatoes or tomato sauce
- 3/4 cup heavy cream or half-and-half
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp butter
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh basil or parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Cook pasta in salted water according to package directions. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, then drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil and butter over medium heat. Add shrimp, season with salt and pepper, and cook 1–2 minutes per side until pink. Remove and set aside.
- In the same skillet, sauté onion until softened. Add garlic and cook 30 seconds.
- Stir in crushed tomatoes and Italian seasoning. Simmer 5–7 minutes to develop flavor.
- Reduce heat to low and stir in heavy cream until smooth. Add red pepper flakes if desired.
- Return shrimp to skillet and toss in sauce.
- Add pasta and combine well. Use reserved pasta water to loosen sauce if needed.
- Stir in Parmesan cheese and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
- Garnish with fresh basil or parsley before serving.
Notes
- Do not overcook shrimp—they’re done when pink and opaque.
- Use pre-cooked shrimp by adding at the very end just to warm through.
- Add spinach, mushrooms, or sun-dried tomatoes for extra veggies.
- For dairy-free, substitute coconut milk and nutritional yeast for cream and cheese.
- Linguine or penne are best pasta choices, but any shape works.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (about 1/4 of recipe)
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 52g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 185mg
