Marry Me Shrimp Pasta Recipe
Introduction
Marry Me Shrimp Pasta is a creamy, flavorful dish that’s sure to impress at any dinner table. Packed with tender shrimp, sun-dried tomatoes, and a luscious parmesan cream sauce, this recipe combines simple ingredients into a restaurant-quality meal you can make at home in just 35 minutes.
Ingredients
- 1 pound extra large shrimp (peeled and deveined)
- 1/2 tablespoon smoked paprika
- 3/4 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 tablespoon sun-dried tomato oil (from the sun-dried tomato jar)
- 2 1/2 tablespoons Cento tomato paste
- 1/2 cup Cento sun-dried tomatoes (diced)
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1/3 teaspoon sweet smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 teaspoon dried basil
- 2 tablespoons gluten free 1:1 flour
- 2 cups diced spinach
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons minced onion
- 2 tablespoons minced garlic
- 2 cups vegetable broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup parmesan cheese
- Fresh basil (chopped for garnish)
- 12 ounces gluten free penne
Instructions
- Step 1: Boil the pasta according to the package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Step 2: In a medium bowl, toss the shrimp with smoked paprika, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper until evenly coated.
- Step 3: Heat the sun-dried tomato oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook the shrimp for 2 minutes on each side until they turn pink, opaque, and form a C-shape. Remove shrimp and set aside to cool.
- Step 4: In the same skillet, melt butter over medium-low heat. Add minced garlic, onion, diced sun-dried tomatoes, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, salt, and dried basil. Cook for about 2 minutes until fragrant.
- Step 5: Stir in the gluten free flour until well combined with the aromatics. Gradually add vegetable broth, heavy cream, and diced spinach. Cook for about 5 minutes, stirring frequently, until the sauce thickens and spinach wilts.
- Step 6: Stir in parmesan cheese until melted and smooth.
- Step 7: Gently mix the cooked pasta into the sauce. Return the shrimp to the pan and stir carefully to combine.
- Step 8: Garnish with chopped fresh basil and serve immediately.
Tips & Variations
- Use fresh shrimp when possible for the best texture and flavor; frozen works well if thawed properly.
- Substitute spinach with kale or arugula for a different green and added texture.
- For a richer sauce, add a splash of white wine before adding the broth and cream.
- Gluten free flour can be substituted with regular all-purpose flour if gluten is not a concern.
- If you prefer less heat, reduce the smoked paprika slightly or omit it.
Storage
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove over low heat or in the microwave, stirring occasionally to prevent the sauce from separating. Add a splash of broth or cream if the sauce thickens too much upon reheating.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use other types of pasta for this recipe?
Yes, any pasta shape that holds sauce well, such as penne, fusilli, or rigatoni, works great. Just adjust cooking times according to the pasta’s package instructions.
Is it possible to make this dish dairy-free?
To make it dairy-free, substitute the butter and heavy cream with olive oil and a dairy-free cream alternative like coconut cream. Use a dairy-free parmesan substitute or nutritional yeast to maintain the cheesy flavor.
Print
Marry Me Shrimp Pasta Recipe
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
Marry Me Shrimp Pasta is a creamy, flavorful dish featuring succulent shrimp in a rich sun-dried tomato cream sauce with spinach, served over gluten-free penne pasta. The sauce is perfectly balanced with Parmesan cheese and Italian herbs, making it an irresistible weeknight meal or special dinner option.
Ingredients
Shrimp Seasoning
- 1 pound extra large shrimp (peeled and deveined)
- 1/2 tbsp smoked paprika
- 3/4 tbsp Italian seasoning
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 3/4 tsp salt
Shrimp Cooking
- 1 1/2 tbsp sun-dried tomato oil (from the sun-dried tomato jar)
Sauce Ingredients
- 2 1/2 tbsp Cento tomato paste
- 1/2 cup Cento sun-dried tomatoes, diced
- 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
- 1/3 tsp sweet smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 3/4 tsp dried basil
- 2 tbsp gluten free 1:1 flour
- 2 cups diced spinach
- 2 tbsp butter
- 2 tbsp minced onion
- 2 tbsp minced garlic
- 2 cups vegetable broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese
Other
- Fresh basil, chopped for garnish
- 12 oz gluten free penne pasta
Instructions
- Prepare the Shrimp Seasoning: In a medium bowl, toss the peeled and deveined shrimp with smoked paprika, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper ensuring each piece is evenly coated.
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, then cook the gluten-free penne according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Cook the Shrimp: Heat sun-dried tomato oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the seasoned shrimp and cook for about 2 minutes on each side until shrimp turn pink, opaque, and form a C-shape (avoid overcooking to prevent shrimp from curling into an O-shape).
- Cool the Shrimp: Remove the cooked shrimp from the skillet and set them aside to cool while preparing the sauce.
- Sauté Aromatics: Melt butter in the same skillet over medium-low heat. Add minced garlic, minced onion, diced sun-dried tomatoes, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, sweet smoked paprika, salt, and dried basil. Cook the mixture for about 2 minutes until fragrant and well combined.
- Make the Sauce: Sprinkle gluten free 1:1 flour over the aromatic mixture and stir thoroughly. Gradually add vegetable broth, heavy cream, and diced spinach while stirring. Cook the sauce for about 5 minutes until it thickens and the spinach wilts.
- Add Cheese: Stir in Parmesan cheese until melted and the sauce becomes creamy and smooth.
- Combine Pasta and Shrimp: Carefully fold the cooked pasta into the sauce, mixing well to coat all the noodles. Gently add the cooked shrimp and stir once more to combine everything without breaking the shrimp.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle chopped fresh basil over the pasta, then serve immediately while warm and enjoy your delicious Marry Me Shrimp Pasta.
Notes
- Do not overcook the shrimp to prevent them from becoming rubbery; look for a C-shape as an indicator.
- Using gluten-free penne preserves this recipe as gluten free.
- Sun-dried tomato oil adds great flavor, but can be substituted with olive oil if unavailable.
- Heavy cream can be substituted with half-and-half for a lighter sauce, though it will be less rich.
- Fresh basil garnish adds a bright, herbal note for an appealing presentation.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Pasta
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Keywords: Shrimp pasta, creamy shrimp pasta, gluten free pasta, sun-dried tomato sauce, Italian pasta dish
