Dive into the rich, creamy, and incredibly flavorful world of Creamy Parmesan Garlic Shrimp Pasta. This savory dish combines tender shrimp with a decadent garlic parmesan cream sauce and linguine. It's the perfect choice for a romantic dinner at home or a casual weeknight meal. The recipe is simple enough for beginners, yet gourmet enough to impress your guests.
While most ingredients for this dish can be found in a well-stocked pantry, you may need to pick up a few fresh items. Jumbo shrimp are important for this dish and can usually be found in the seafood section of most supermarkets. Fresh garlic cloves are also key to infusing that wonderful garlic flavor into your pasta. A good quality Parmesan cheese will make a noticeable difference in your cream sauce, so skip the pre-shredded variety and go for a block that you can grate yourself.
Creamy Parmesan Garlic Shrimp Pasta Ingredients
olive oil: Used for sautéing the shrimp, giving it a nice sear.
jumbo shrimp: The star of the dish, they add a succulent, sea-fresh flavor.
garlic: A crucial ingredient for the pasta's aromatic and flavorful base.
heavy cream: Gives the pasta its rich, creamy consistency.
chicken broth: Adds depth of flavor to the sauce.
garlic powder: Enhances the garlic flavor in the dish.
Italian seasoning: Brings in a blend of classic Italian herbs for extra taste.
Parmesan cheese: Gives the sauce its cheesy, savory kick.
linguine: A perfect pasta type for holding onto the creamy sauce.
parsley: Adds a fresh touch and color contrast to the finished dish.
lemon wedges: For a tangy contrast to the rich, creamy pasta.
One reader, Arnold Gordon says:
This creamy parmesan garlic shrimp pasta recipe is a game-changer! The flavors are rich and indulgent, and the shrimp adds a delightful touch. The creamy sauce is simply divine, and the dish is so easy to make. It's become a family favorite in no time!
Mastering the Techniques for Creamy Parmesan Garlic Shrimp Pasta
How to cook the shrimp: The shrimp should be cooked in a medium-sized skillet with olive oil and garlic over medium-high heat until it is almost pink but not completely cooked.
How to make the creamy sauce: The creamy sauce is made by adding heavy cream, chicken broth, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and parmesan cheese to the skillet with the shrimp and stirring until smooth. Let the sauce simmer for 3-5 minutes until it starts to thicken.
How to garnish: Garnish the dish with chopped fresh parsley, shredded parmesan, and lemon wedges before serving.
How To Make Creamy Parmesan Garlic Shrimp Pasta
This creamy and cheesy shrimp pasta is packed with robust flavors of garlic and hearty Italian seasonings, to yield a delectably flavorful dinner meal!
Serves:
Ingredients
- 2tbspolive oil
- 1lbjumbo shrimp,peeled, deveined
- salt and pepper
- 3garlic cloves,minced
- 1cupheavy cream
- ½cupchicken broth
- 1tspgarlic powder
- 1tspItalian seasoning
- ½cupparmesan cheese
- 8ozlinguine,cooked to al dente, drained
For Garnish:
- fresh parsley,chopped
- parmesan,shredded
- lemon wedges
Instructions
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In a medium sized skillet, add the olive oil. Add the shrimp and garlic and cook over medium high heat until it is almost pink but not cooked completely.
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Add the heavy cream, chicken broth, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and parmesan cheese, then stir with the shrimp until smooth.
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Let simmer for about 3 to 5 minutes until the sauce starts to thicken. Add the pasta and stir until the pasta is coated.
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Garnish with chopped fresh parsley, shredded parmesan, and lemon wedges, serve, and enjoy!
Nutrition
- Calories: 1240.85kcal
- Fat: 72.23g
- Saturated Fat: 40.31g
- Trans Fat: 0.02g
- Monounsaturated Fat: 24.19g
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 3.58g
- Carbohydrates: 62.03g
- Fiber: 2.91g
- Sugar: 8.44g
- Protein: 84.02g
- Cholesterol: 332.72mg
- Sodium: 3062.44mg
- Calcium: 1908.21mg
- Potassium: 778.57mg
- Iron: 3.77mg
- Vitamin A: 643.81µg
- Vitamin C: 13.83mg
Elevate Your Creamy Parmesan Garlic Shrimp Pasta with This Simple Tip
When cooking the shrimp, it's crucial not to overcook them as they can quickly become tough and rubbery. Remove them from the heat as soon as they turn pink. They will continue to cook slightly in the residual heat. Also, for a smoother and creamier sauce, ensure to continuously stir the heavy cream, chicken broth, and parmesan cheese together until it thickens. This prevents the sauce from clumping and ensures a silky texture that coats the pasta evenly.
Time-Saving Hacks for Preparing This Shrimp Pasta Recipe
Plan ahead: Prep all ingredients and utensils before starting to cook to streamline the process.
Multitask: While the pasta is cooking, start preparing the sauce to save time.
Use pre-cooked shrimp: Consider using pre-cooked shrimp to cut down on cooking time.
Organize your workspace: Keep your kitchen tidy and organized to work efficiently.
Follow the recipe: Stick to the recipe to avoid mistakes and save time on adjustments.
Quick cleanup: Clean as you go to minimize the post-cooking cleanup time.
Invest in quality tools: Quality kitchen tools can make the cooking process more efficient.
Batch cooking: Consider making a larger batch and freezing the extra for future quick meals.
Use kitchen gadgets: Utilize kitchen gadgets like food processors and blenders to speed up prep work.
Substitute Ingredients For Creamy Parmesan Garlic Shrimp Pasta Recipe
olive oil - Substitute with butter: Butter can add a rich and creamy flavor to the dish, and it will also help to create a smooth and velvety sauce.
heavy cream - Substitute with coconut cream: Coconut cream can provide a creamy texture and a hint of tropical flavor to the dish, making it a suitable dairy-free alternative.
linguine - Substitute with fettuccine: Fettuccine has a similar texture and shape to linguine, and it will work well with the creamy sauce and shrimp.
parmesan cheese - Substitute with nutritional yeast: Nutritional yeast can provide a cheesy flavor and a hint of umami, making it a suitable vegan alternative to parmesan cheese.
Elevate Your Plate: Presenting Parmesan Garlic Shrimp Pasta
Elevate the pasta: Gently twirl the linguine into a nest-like shape using tongs to create a visually appealing base for the shrimp and sauce.
Garnish with precision: Sprinkle the chopped fresh parsley delicately over the pasta, ensuring an even distribution for a pop of vibrant color and fresh flavor.
Artful parmesan sprinkle: Grate the parmesan cheese using a fine grater, allowing it to delicately fall onto the dish like snowflakes, adding a touch of elegance and richness.
Lemon wedge placement: Carefully position the lemon wedges on the plate, ensuring they are evenly spaced and adding a bright, citrusy accent to the dish.
Attention to detail: Wipe the edges of the plate to remove any sauce or smudges, ensuring a clean and professional presentation.
Balance and symmetry: Aim for a balanced composition, ensuring the placement of the shrimp, pasta, and garnishes creates an aesthetically pleasing arrangement on the plate.
Final touch - drizzle: For a sophisticated finish, drizzle a small amount of high-quality olive oil over the dish, adding a glossy sheen and enhancing the flavors.
Plate with finesse: Use a large, flat plate to showcase the dish, allowing the vibrant colors and textures to stand out and impress the judges.
Essential Tools for Making Creamy Parmesan Garlic Shrimp Pasta
- Cutting board: A flat surface for cutting, slicing, and chopping ingredients.
- Chef's knife: A versatile knife for various cutting tasks, such as chopping, slicing, and dicing.
- Skillet: A medium-sized pan with sloped sides, used for sautéing and frying ingredients.
- Tongs: Used for flipping and turning the shrimp while cooking.
- Whisk: For mixing and blending the heavy cream, chicken broth, and parmesan cheese.
- Large pot: For boiling the linguine pasta.
- Colander: Used for draining the cooked pasta.
- Grater: For grating fresh parmesan cheese.
- Lemon squeezer: To extract juice from the lemon wedges for garnish.
Preserving Perfection: Storing and Freezing Your Shrimp Pasta Creation
- To store leftover creamy parmesan garlic shrimp pasta, allow it to cool completely to room temperature. Transfer the pasta to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3-4 days.
- When ready to reheat, place the desired portion in a microwave-safe dish and add a splash of chicken broth or heavy cream to help revive the sauce. Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval, until heated through.
- For longer storage, you can freeze the shrimp pasta. Place the cooled pasta in a freezer-safe container or resealable bag, removing as much air as possible. Label the container with the date and freeze for up to 2-3 months.
- To reheat frozen shrimp pasta, thaw it overnight in the refrigerator. Once thawed, transfer the pasta to a saucepan and reheat over medium-low heat, stirring gently. If the sauce appears too thick, add a splash of chicken broth or heavy cream to help loosen it up and restore its creamy texture.
- Note: The shrimp may become slightly tough or rubbery after freezing and reheating, as seafood is delicate and prone to texture changes. For best results, consume the creamy parmesan garlic shrimp pasta within a few days of preparing it.
Reviving Leftovers: Reheating Tips
- The best way to reheat leftover creamy parmesan garlic shrimp pasta is to use a skillet on the stove. Start by adding a splash of chicken broth or heavy cream to the skillet and heat it over medium heat. Once the liquid is warm, add the leftover pasta and gently stir until it's heated through. This method will help to revive the sauce and prevent the shrimp from becoming rubbery.
- Another option is to use the microwave. Place the leftover pasta in a microwave-safe dish and add a splash of chicken broth or heavy cream. Cover the dish with a damp paper towel and microwave on high for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through. Be careful not to overcook the shrimp, as they can quickly become tough and rubbery in the microwave.
- If you have an oven-safe dish, you can also reheat the pasta in the oven. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and add a splash of chicken broth or heavy cream to the dish. Cover the dish with foil and bake for 10-15 minutes, or until the pasta is heated through. This method works well if you have a large amount of leftover pasta to reheat.
- Regardless of the method you choose, be sure to taste the pasta before serving and adjust the seasoning as needed. You may want to add a sprinkle of parmesan cheese or a squeeze of lemon juice to brighten up the flavors. If the sauce seems too thick, you can thin it out with a bit more chicken broth or heavy cream.
- If you're reheating the pasta for lunch at work, consider using a thermos or insulated container to keep it warm until you're ready to eat. Simply reheat the pasta in the morning and transfer it to the container. By lunchtime, it should still be warm and ready to enjoy.
Surprising Trivia About Creamy Parmesan Garlic Shrimp Pasta
The creamy parmesan garlic shrimp pasta recipe is a delightful combination of flavors and textures. The rich and creamy sauce, infused with garlic and parmesan, perfectly complements the succulent jumbo shrimp. This dish is a wonderful balance of indulgent and comforting elements, making it a perfect choice for a special dinner or gathering. The addition of linguine adds a satisfying bite to the dish, while the garnish of chopped fresh parsley and shredded parmesan provides a fresh and zesty finish. This recipe is a great way to elevate a classic pasta dish with a touch of elegance and sophistication.
Budget-Friendly Cooking: Is This Shrimp Pasta Recipe Affordable?
The cost-effectiveness of this creamy parmesan garlic shrimp pasta recipe largely depends on the availability and cost of ingredients in your area. The jumbo shrimp and parmesan cheese can be pricier, but the dish offers a luxurious dining experience. Considering the quality and flavors, the overall verdict for this recipe would be an 8. The approximate cost for a household of 4 people would be around $25-$30, making it a reasonable choice for a special dinner.
Is This Creamy Shrimp Pasta Healthy?
The creamy parmesan garlic shrimp pasta recipe, while undeniably delicious, may not be the healthiest choice due to a few key ingredients:
- Heavy cream and parmesan cheese are high in saturated fat and calories, which can contribute to weight gain and increased risk of heart disease if consumed in excess.
- The recipe lacks vegetables, which are essential for providing fiber, vitamins, and minerals.
- Shrimp, although a good source of protein and relatively low in calories, is high in cholesterol.
However, this recipe can be made healthier with a few simple modifications:
- Replace the heavy cream with a lower-fat alternative, such as half-and-half or evaporated skim milk, to reduce the overall fat and calorie content.
- Incorporate more vegetables into the dish, such as sautéed spinach, cherry tomatoes, or bell peppers, to increase the fiber and nutrient content.
- Use whole wheat linguine instead of regular pasta to add more fiber and complex carbohydrates.
- Reduce the amount of parmesan cheese used, or opt for a lower-fat variety to decrease the saturated fat content.
- Use low-sodium chicken broth to control the dish's salt content.
By making these adjustments, you can enjoy a healthier version of this creamy parmesan garlic shrimp pasta without sacrificing taste.
Editor's Take: My Honest Opinion on This Creamy Shrimp Pasta
This creamy parmesan garlic shrimp pasta recipe is a delightful combination of flavors and textures. The creamy sauce, infused with garlic and parmesan, perfectly coats the tender jumbo shrimp and al dente linguine. The addition of chicken broth adds depth to the sauce, while the garnishes of fresh parsley, shredded parmesan, and lemon wedges provide a burst of freshness. This dish is a perfect balance of richness and brightness, making it a luxurious yet comforting meal. It's a wonderful choice for a special dinner or a cozy night in.
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Why trust this Creamy Parmesan Garlic Shrimp Pasta Recipe:
This creamy parmesan garlic shrimp pasta recipe offers a delightful combination of flavors and textures, creating a luxurious dining experience. The succulent jumbo shrimp and rich parmesan cheese are complemented by the aromatic garlic and creamy sauce, resulting in a dish that is both indulgent and satisfying. With a balance of Italian seasoning and lemon to enhance the overall taste, this recipe promises to elevate any mealtime, earning the trust of users seeking a delectable and impressive culinary creation.
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