Quick Creamy 15-Minute Shrimp Pasta
A quick and easy creamy shrimp pasta recipe ready in just 15 minutes, perfect for busy weeknights or last-minute dinners. It features tender shrimp in a silky sauce without heavy cream, using simple pantry ingredients.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound peeled, deveined medium shrimp (fresh or thawed frozen; wild-caught preferred)
- 8 ounces linguine or spaghetti
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, finely minced
- 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 1/2 cup half-and-half (or whole milk or dairy-free alternative like oat milk)
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add linguine and cook according to package instructions, about 9-11 minutes until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining. Drain pasta and set aside.
- Pat dry shrimp with paper towels and season lightly with salt and pepper.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add shrimp in a single layer and cook 1-2 minutes per side until pink and opaque. Remove shrimp and set aside.
- Lower heat to medium and add butter to skillet. Once melted, add minced garlic and cook about 30 seconds until fragrant, avoiding browning.
- Pour in chicken broth and simmer for 2-3 minutes until slightly reduced.
- Stir in half-and-half and Parmesan cheese. Stir gently until cheese melts and sauce thickens. Add reserved pasta water a tablespoon at a time if sauce is too thick.
- Return shrimp to skillet, add drained pasta, and toss to coat evenly. Add lemon juice and red pepper flakes if using. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Remove from heat, sprinkle chopped parsley over the top, toss once more, and serve immediately.
Notes
Keep an eye on shrimp to avoid overcooking; they cook quickly and become rubbery if overdone. Use reserved pasta water to adjust sauce consistency. Freshly grate Parmesan for best melting and flavor. Garlic should be cooked gently to avoid bitterness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1/4
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 3
- Sodium: 520
- Fat: 18
- Saturated Fat: 8
- Carbohydrates: 38
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 32
Keywords: shrimp pasta, creamy shrimp pasta, quick dinner, easy shrimp recipe, 15-minute pasta, weeknight dinner, seafood pasta