🍤 Restaurant-Style Creamy Garlic Shrimp Pasta (Ready in 30 Minutes!)

Okay, listen… if there’s one dinner that feels both fancy and effortless, it’s this Creamy Garlic Shrimp Pasta. We’re talking juicy shrimp bathed in a rich garlic parmesan sauce, tossed with your favorite pasta, and ready to make any weeknight feel like a date night. Bonus: You don’t need a culinary degree or 10,000 ingredients. Just bring your appetite and maybe a little bread for extra sauce scooping. 😉

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

✨ Quick & Easy – Ready in just 30 minutes, start to finish!
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Crowd-Pleaser – My family licks the plate. Literally.
💸 Budget-Friendly – Made with pantry staples and frozen shrimp!

Jump to Recipe

Ingredients

Here’s everything you’ll need — listed in grams for clarity. Trust me, this makes things way easier (and more precise!).

• 250g shrimp – Peeled and deveined. I use frozen medium shrimp, thawed and patted dry.
• 200g pasta – Fettuccine, linguine, or spaghetti works great!
• 30g butter – For that rich garlic flavor and velvety texture.
• 20g olive oil – Helps brown the shrimp beautifully without burning the butter.
• 4 garlic cloves (10g) – Minced or finely chopped. Garlic is the real MVP here.
• 150ml heavy cream – The base of our dreamy, creamy sauce.
• 50g parmesan cheese – Freshly grated if possible; it melts smoother than pre-shredded.
• 1 tsp salt (5g) – For seasoning both shrimp and pasta water.
• 1/2 tsp black pepper (2g) – Adds a subtle bite to balance the creaminess.
• 1/2 tsp chili flakes (optional) – For a gentle kick if you’re into that.
• 1 tbsp lemon juice (15ml) – Brightens up the richness with a little tang.
• Fresh parsley (optional) – Chopped, for garnish and freshness.

How to Make Creamy Garlic Shrimp Pasta

🍤 Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Cook the pasta
Boil a large pot of salted water and cook your pasta until al dente. Reserve about 1/2 cup of pasta water before draining — we might need it to loosen the sauce later.

2. Season the Shrimp
Place peeled and deveined shrimp in a bowl. Season with a pinch of salt, black pepper, and (optional) chili flakes. Toss to coat evenly.

🧂 Pro Tip: A little seasoning at this stage makes all the difference. I love adding a touch of smoked paprika here — it gives the shrimp this subtle, smoky depth that makes the whole dish pop. If you don’t have smoked paprika, regular paprika is fine… but trust me, the smoked stuff is worth keeping in your spice drawer. 👌

3. Sauté the shrimp
In a large skillet, heat olive oil and butter over medium heat. Add the shrimp in a single layer and cook for about 1–2 minutes per side, until pink and opaque. Don’t crowd the pan — cook in batches if needed. Transfer to a plate.

4. Make the garlic cream sauce
In the same skillet (don’t rinse it!), add a bit more butter if needed and toss in the minced garlic. Sauté for 30 seconds, just until fragrant — not browned.

5. Add the cream & parmesan
Pour in the heavy cream, then stir in the parmesan cheese. Let it simmer gently for 2–3 minutes until the cheese melts and the sauce thickens slightly. Season with salt, pepper, and chili flakes if using.

6. Toss everything together
Add your cooked pasta to the skillet, then toss to coat. If the sauce feels too thick, splash in a little of that reserved pasta water. Add the shrimp back in and finish with lemon juice and chopped parsley.

7. Serve hot
Plate it up while it’s steamy and creamy. Top with extra parmesan and a crack of black pepper if you’re feeling fancy. 💁‍♀️

Expert Tips & Variations

🧄 Add extra garlic – Go ahead, double it if you’re a garlic lover. I won’t judge.
🍋 Lemon zest twist – For extra freshness, grate a little lemon zest into the sauce.
🌿 Make it dairy-free – Use coconut cream and nutritional yeast instead of cream and parmesan.

Shrimp Pasta Tips

✔️ Pat the shrimp dry before cooking — helps get that nice sear!
✔️ Use fresh garlic over garlic powder for the best flavor.
✔️ Grate your own parmesan — trust me, it melts way smoother.

🚫 Shrimp Pasta DON’Ts

❌ Don’t overcook the shrimp — rubbery shrimp = sad pasta.
❌ Don’t skip the pasta water — it’s liquid gold for adjusting sauce consistency.
❌ Don’t let the garlic burn — it turns bitter real fast.

What to Serve With It

🥖 Garlic Bread – Because carbs on carbs is the way.
🥗 Simple Green Salad – Light and refreshing alongside the rich pasta.
🍷 Glass of white wine – If it’s date night or you just want to feel fancy.

Storage & Reheating

Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Freeze: Best eaten fresh, but you can freeze the sauce separately for up to 1 month.
Reheat: Warm gently in a skillet with a splash of milk or cream to loosen the sauce.

Common Questions (FAQ Section)

❓ Can I use pre-cooked shrimp?
Yes, but just warm them through at the end — don’t recook or they’ll get rubbery.

❓ Can I swap the pasta type?
Absolutely! Try penne, tagliatelle, or even gluten-free pasta.

❓ How can I make it spicy?
Add more chili flakes or stir in a little Cajun seasoning for extra heat.

Call to Action📢 Did you try this recipe? Leave a comment & rating below — I love hearing how it turns out!
📸 Tag @RecipesByAbbie on Instagram so I can drool over your pics!

Whew, that’s it, friend! Now go pour yourself something nice, grab that bowl of creamy garlic shrimp goodness, and enjoy every bite. You earned it. 🍝💕

Want another quick weeknight pasta? Stick around — I’ve got a spicy Cajun one coming up next! 🔥