Indulge in a taste of coastal elegance with this creamy angel hair pasta with shrimp!
Delicate angel hair pasta and succulent shrimp are coated in a velvety cream sauce. The subtle hints of garlic, white wine, and zesty lemon take it straight over the top!
What I love most about this recipe is how easy it is to make without compromising on taste.
It’s the perfect go-to meal for busy weeknights when you’re craving something comforting and indulgent.
Why You’ll Love This Creamy Angel Hair Pasta with Shrimp
Quick Preparation: You can prepare it in under 30 minutes, making it an ideal choice for a fast yet satisfying meal.
Restaurant-Quality: The combination of shrimp, cream, and herbs creates a dish that rivals the quality of a five-star restaurant meal.
Rich and Creamy Taste: The pasta is enveloped in a rich and creamy sauce that enhances the natural sweetness of the shrimp. Everyone will beg for seconds.
Impressive Presentation: The dish looks elegant and appetizing, making it perfect for special occasions.
Ingredients
- Large Shrimp: They bring a sweet and delicate seafood flavor. They cook quickly, turning pink and tender.
- Angel Hair Pasta: This thin, delicate pasta is ideal for light sauces. It cooks quickly and absorbs the creamy sauce beautifully.
- Olive Oil: A staple for sautéing, it adds a subtle richness and helps cook the shrimp to perfection.
- Garlic: It infuses the dish with a robust, aromatic flavor, enhancing the overall taste profile.
- Dry White Wine: Used to deglaze the pan, it adds a layer of acidity and depth, balancing the creaminess of the sauce.
- Diced Tomatoes: These petite tomatoes provide a burst of freshness and a hint of acidity.
- Heavy Cream: The key to the sauce’s luxurious texture, it adds richness and a velvety smoothness.
- Italian Seasoning, Salt, Red Pepper Flakes: This trio of spices brings an aromatic blend of herbs and a hint of heat.
- Lemon Juice: It brightens the flavors, adding a zesty contrast to the creamy sauce.
- Fresh Parsley: It adds a pop of color and a fresh, herbaceous note, perfect for garnish and flavor.
- Parmesan Cheese: It adds a nutty, savory finish to enhance the creamy sauce.
How to Make Creamy Angel Hair Pasta with Shrimp
This pasta is impressive, but it’s so easy to throw together!
1. Cook the pasta. Cook the angel hair pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water before draining.
2. Cook the shrimp. Season the shrimp with salt and pepper. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the shrimp and garlic, stirring continuously until the shrimp are pink and cooked through, about 2 minutes per side. Remove the shrimp and set aside.
3. Prepare the sauce. To the same skillet, add the white wine to deglaze the pan. Let it simmer for 1 minute. Stir in the drained diced tomatoes, 1/2 cup heavy cream, Italian seasoning, salt, and red pepper flakes. Bring the sauce to a simmer.
4. Finish the sauce. Reduce heat to low and stir in additional cream if desired for a creamier sauce. Add the lemon juice and parsley. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
5. Combine the ingredients. Add the cooked angel hair pasta and shrimp to the sauce, tossing to coat well. If the sauce is too thick, add some of the reserved pasta water.
6. Serve the dish. Serve the creamy shrimp pasta immediately, garnished with extra parsley and Parmesan cheese. Enjoy!
Tips for the Best Creamy Angel Hair Pasta with Shrimp
Impress your guests even more with these tried-and-true tips!
- Don’t overcook! Cook the shrimp just until pink and opaque, about 2 minutes per side, to avoid tough and rubbery shrimp. Remove the shrimp from the pan once cooked.
- Adjust the creaminess. Start with 1/2 cup of heavy cream, then add more to reach your desired level of creaminess for the sauce. Milk can be substituted but the sauce will be thinner.
- Taste and season. Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning with salt, pepper, and lemon juice to your liking before tossing with the pasta.
- Toss in tasty add-ins. Elevate the dish with additions like sun-dried tomatoes, mushrooms, or bacon.
- Make it a true feast. Round out the meal by serving this pasta with a fresh green salad and crusty bread or garlic bread.
How to Store
Keep your leftover pasta fresh by following these steps.
To Store: Place the cooled pasta and shrimp in an air-tight container. Refrigerate for up to 3 days. I don’t recommend freezing this recipe, as the consistency will change.
To Reheat: Warm the pasta in a skillet over medium heat, adding a splash of milk or cream. Stir gently until heated through, about 3-5 minutes. You can also reheat it in the microwave in 30-second intervals. Stir between each interval, until warmed through.
Creamy Angel Hair Pasta with Shrimp
4
servings10
minutes10
minutes657
kcalThis creamy angel hair pasta with shrimp is to die for! With flavors of garlic and white wine, it’s a restaurant-style dish you can whip up at home.
Ingredients
1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
12 oz angel hair pasta
1 tablespoon olive oil
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 cup dry white wine
1 can petite diced tomatoes, drained
1/2 to 1 cup heavy cream
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
Juice of 1/2 lemon
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley, plus more for garnish
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Cook the angel hair pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water before draining.
- While the pasta cooks, season the shrimp with salt and pepper. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the shrimp and garlic, stirring continuously until the shrimp are pink and cooked through, about 2 minutes per side. Remove the shrimp and set aside.
- To the same skillet, add the white wine to deglaze the pan. Let it simmer for 1 minute. Stir in the drained diced tomatoes, 1/2 cup heavy cream, Italian seasoning, salt, and red pepper flakes. Bring the sauce to a simmer.
- Reduce heat to low and stir in additional cream if desired for a creamier sauce. Add the lemon juice and parsley. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
- Add the cooked angel hair pasta and shrimp to the sauce, tossing to coat well. If the sauce is too thick, add some of the reserved pasta water.
- Serve the creamy shrimp pasta immediately, garnished with extra parsley and Parmesan cheese. Enjoy!
