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Creamy Tuscan Garlic Shrimp Pasta

creamy tuscan garlic shrimp pasta - featured image

A quick and easy creamy pasta dish featuring tender shrimp, sun-dried tomatoes, and fresh spinach in a luscious Tuscan garlic sauce. Perfect for weeknight dinners or impressing guests.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined (wild-caught if possible)
  • 8 oz fettuccine or linguine pasta
  • 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 34 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped (oil-packed preferred)
  • 2 cups fresh baby spinach leaves
  • ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 oz of pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, usually 8-10 minutes. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water before draining. Set pasta aside.
  2. While pasta cooks, heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add shrimp seasoned lightly with salt and pepper. Cook shrimp for 2-3 minutes per side until pink and opaque. Remove shrimp from pan and set aside.
  3. In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium. Add minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Add chopped sun-dried tomatoes and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  4. Pour in 1 cup heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer. Stir in grated Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth. Add red pepper flakes if using. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Add reserved pasta water a tablespoon at a time if sauce is too thick.
  5. Stir in fresh baby spinach until wilted, about 1-2 minutes. Return cooked shrimp to the skillet, tossing gently to coat and heat through.
  6. Add drained pasta to the skillet, tossing everything together until evenly coated. Cook together for another minute to meld flavors. Add more pasta water if needed for creaminess.
  7. Remove from heat and sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley. Serve immediately while warm.

Notes

Do not overcrowd the pan when cooking shrimp to ensure they sear properly. Keep the cream sauce at a gentle simmer to prevent curdling. Use reserved pasta water to adjust sauce consistency. Freshly grated Parmesan cheese is recommended for best flavor. Leftovers keep well in the fridge for up to 2 days; reheat gently with a splash of water or cream.

Nutrition

Keywords: Creamy Tuscan Garlic Shrimp Pasta, shrimp pasta, Tuscan pasta, creamy shrimp pasta, easy dinner, garlic shrimp, sun-dried tomatoes, spinach pasta