Marry Me Shrimp Pasta
Marry Me Shrimp Pasta is a creamy, garlicky, sun-dried tomato pasta with juicy shrimp—so irresistible it might just win someone’s heart.
Ingredients
For the Pasta
- 12 oz pasta penne, rigatoni, or fettuccine
- Salt for the pasta water
For the Shrimp
- 1 lb large shrimp peeled and deveined
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
For the “Marry Me” Cream Sauce
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 3 –4 garlic cloves minced
- 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes in oil drained and chopped
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup chicken broth or pasta water
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes adjust to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon salt to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Juice of 1/2 lemon
For Garnish
- Fresh basil or parsley chopped
- Extra grated Parmesan
Instructions
Cook the Pasta
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta until al dente.
- Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, then drain and set aside.
Season and Cook the Shrimp
- Pat shrimp dry and season with salt, pepper, and paprika.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Cook shrimp 1–2 minutes per side until pink and opaque.
- Remove to a plate and set aside.
Start the Sauce
- In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium and add butter.
- Add minced garlic and cook 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Stir in chopped sun-dried tomatoes and cook 1 minute.
Add Cream & Broth
- Pour in heavy cream and chicken broth (or pasta water).
- Add Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper.
- Simmer 3–4 minutes, stirring, until slightly thickened.
Add Parmesan & Lemon
- Stir in grated Parmesan until melted and the sauce is smooth.
- Add lemon juice and adjust seasoning to taste.
Combine Pasta and Shrimp
- Add cooked pasta to the skillet and toss to coat in the sauce.
- Return shrimp to the pan and gently mix.
- If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of reserved pasta water.
Serve
- Garnish with fresh basil or parsley and extra Parmesan.
- Serve immediately while hot and creamy.
Notes
- Use large shrimp for best texture; avoid overcooking to keep them tender.
- For extra richness, add a tablespoon of cream cheese to the sauce.
- Make it spicier by increasing red pepper flakes or adding a pinch of cayenne.
- You can swap chicken broth for vegetable broth or pasta water.
- Leftovers reheat best in a pan with a splash of milk or cream to loosen the sauce.