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Creamy Tuscan Garlic Shrimp Pasta

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A quick and easy creamy Tuscan garlic shrimp pasta with sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, and a luscious cream cheese and heavy cream sauce. Perfect for busy weeknights and cozy dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined (fresh or thawed frozen)
  • 8 ounces fettuccine or linguine pasta
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/3 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped (preferably oil-packed)
  • 3 cups fresh baby spinach
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 2 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 ounces of fettuccine and cook according to package instructions until al dente (usually 9-11 minutes). Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
  2. While pasta cooks, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add shrimp seasoned lightly with salt and pepper. Cook shrimp 2-3 minutes per side until pink and opaque. Remove shrimp from skillet and set aside.
  3. Reduce heat to medium. Add minced garlic to the skillet and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn.
  4. Stir in chopped sun-dried tomatoes and cook for another minute to release their flavor.
  5. Lower heat to medium-low. Add heavy cream and softened cream cheese. Stir gently until cream cheese melts and sauce is smooth, about 3-4 minutes.
  6. Stir in Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes if using. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
  7. Add fresh baby spinach and cook until wilted, about 2 minutes. Stir in grated Parmesan cheese until melted and integrated.
  8. Return cooked shrimp to the skillet along with drained pasta. Toss gently, adding reserved pasta water a little at a time if sauce is too thick, until creamy and silky.
  9. Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley on top, toss gently, and remove from heat.
  10. Serve immediately, optionally garnished with extra Parmesan or a squeeze of lemon juice.

Notes

Use wild-caught shrimp for better flavor. Oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes add the best taste; soak dry ones before use. Do not overcook shrimp to avoid rubberiness. Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency. Fresh garlic is preferred over garlic powder for best flavor. For a lighter sauce, substitute half-and-half for heavy cream but expect less richness.

Nutrition

Keywords: Tuscan garlic shrimp pasta, creamy shrimp pasta, sun-dried tomato pasta, easy dinner, weeknight meal, creamy pasta, shrimp recipe

Find it online: https://avabake.com/creamy-tuscan-garlic-shrimp-pasta-recipe-easy-homemade-dinner-ideas/