Creamy Tuscan Shrimp Pasta
This Creamy Tuscan Shrimp Pasta is bursting with flavor and perfect for a quick, elegant weeknight dinner with tender shrimp and a luscious garlicky cream sauce.
Equipment
- Large Pot
- Large skillet or sauté pan
- Colander
- Wooden Spoon or Silicone Spatula
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Sharp knife and cutting board
Ingredients
- 8 ounces pasta (fettuccine or penne)
- 1 pound shrimp peeled and deveined
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
- 1 cup fresh spinach
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- fresh basil for garnish
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the fettuccine or penne and cook according to package instructions until just al dente. Reserve about 1/2 cup of pasta water before draining, then set the pasta aside.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the peeled and deveined shrimp in a single layer. Season lightly with salt, pepper, and half the Italian seasoning. Cook for about 2 minutes on each side or until pink and opaque. Remove shrimp from the skillet and set aside.
- In the same skillet, add the minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Pour in the heavy cream and stir, scraping up any browned bits from the shrimp for extra flavor. Add the cherry tomatoes, fresh spinach, remaining Italian seasoning, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Let the sauce simmer gently for 3-4 minutes until the spinach wilts and the tomatoes soften.
- Return the cooked shrimp to the skillet. Add the drained pasta and toss everything together, adding reserved pasta water a little at a time if the sauce needs loosening. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until melted and fully incorporated.
- Remove the skillet from heat, sprinkle fresh basil leaves over the top, and serve immediately. The basil adds a bright, fresh note that beautifully complements the creamy sauce.
Notes
- Use reserved pasta water to adjust the sauce consistency for a perfect creamy texture.
- Swap shrimp for chicken or use gluten-free pasta to customize the recipe to your preferences.
- Store cooked pasta, shrimp, and sauce separately in airtight containers and reheat gently to maintain texture and flavor.