This Marry Me shrimp pasta is enough to make anyone say yes on the spot! Perfectly seasoned shrimp get nestled in a velvety sauce and studded with sun-dried tomatoes.
Whether you’re planning a romantic dinner for two or simply treating yourself to something special, this dish delivers restaurant-quality elegance.
It’s rich, creamy, and just the right amount of indulgent.
Serve it with a side of bread to soak up all the delicious sauce and a glass of champagne if you’re celebrating!
Why You’ll Love This Marry Me Shrimp Pasta
Restaurant-Worthy Taste: This dish delivers a rich, creamy sauce paired with perfectly seasoned shrimp, making it taste like a gourmet meal.
Date-Night Approved: The “Marry Me” theme and luxurious ingredients make it an ideal recipe to impress someone special.
Time-Saver: From start to finish, this elegant pasta dish comes together in just 30 minutes.
One-Pan Wonder: Using primarily a single skillet means less cleanup.
Ingredients
- Pasta: Long, flat noodles like linguine or fettuccine provide the perfect base to hold the creamy sauce.
- Large Shrimp: They provide a sweet, delicate flavor.
- Butter: It creates a rich foundation for the sauce and adds a silky, smooth texture.
- Garlic: Fresh minced garlic adds an intense, aromatic flavor.
- Heavy Cream: It forms the base of the luxurious sauce, creating a thick, velvety texture.
- Chicken or Vegetable Broth: It adds depth and savory notes to the sauce while helping to thin out the cream.
- Grated Parmesan Cheese: Aged Italian cheese melts into the sauce, providing a sharp, salty flavor and helping to thicken it.
- Sun-Dried Tomatoes: They add flavor and a chewy texture to the dish.
- Fresh Basil Leaves: They add a fresh, peppery finish and beautiful color as a garnish.
- Seasonings: Smoked paprika adds smokiness, garlic powder provides depth, and red chili flakes bring heat. Salt and pepper enhance the overall flavors.
How to Make Marry Me Shrimp Pasta
This dish might be restaurant-quality, but it’s so easy to whip up!
1. Prepare the shrimp. In a bowl, toss the shrimp with smoked paprika, garlic powder, chili flakes, salt, and pepper. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook the shrimp for 2-3 minutes per side until pink and opaque. Remove and set aside.
2. Cook the pasta. Boil the pasta in salted water according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water, then drain and set aside.
3. Make the sauce. In the same skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Stir in the sun-dried tomatoes and cook for 1 minute. Add the chicken broth and bring to a simmer.
4. Finish the sauce. Lower the heat and stir in heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes. Simmer gently for 3-5 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
5. Combine everything. Add the cooked pasta to the sauce and toss to coat. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of reserved pasta water to loosen it. Return the shrimp to the skillet and toss gently to combine. Cook for 1-2 minutes to warm everything through.
6. Serve. Garnish with freshly chopped basil and extra Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Tips for the Best Marry Me Shrimp Pasta
For a guaranteed “yes,” follow these simple tips.
- Go for high-quality. Use high-quality sun-dried tomatoes for the best flavor. Oil-packed ones are especially rich and flavorful.
- Pick the best pasta. Linguine, fettuccine, or spaghetti work well as they hold the creamy sauce beautifully. But penne or rigatoni can also be used for a chunkier texture.
- Go the fresh route. Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese for better melting and flavor compared to pre-grated options.
- Don’t overcook! Cook the shrimp just until they turn pink and form a “C” shape to avoid a rubbery texture. If they curl into an “O,” they’re overcooked.
- Amp up the flavor. Use the oil from sun-dried tomatoes to sauté shrimp or garlic for added flavor depth.
- Balance the seasoning. Taste and adjust salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes in the sauce to suit your preference for spice and saltiness.
- Try tasty add-ins and variations. Add spinach for extra greens, white wine for acidity, or mushrooms for an earthy note. Lemon juice can also brighten the dish.
- Make it a feast. Pair with garlic bread, a crisp side salad, or roasted vegetables like zucchini or asparagus to round out the meal.
How to Store
To keep leftover pasta fresh, follow these easy steps.
To Store: Place the pasta and sauce in an air-tight container, drizzle with a teaspoon of olive oil to prevent sticking, and refrigerate for up to 3 days. I don’t recommend freezing, as the consistency will change.
To Reheat: Place in a covered oven-safe dish and warm at 350°F for 20 minutes. Or, sauté in a pan over medium heat with a splash of cream for 2-3 minutes until heated through.
More Delicious Pasta Recipes Your Family Will Love
Cheesy Kielbasa Pasta
Tuscan Shrimp Pasta
Chicken Penne Pasta
Cheeseburger Pasta
Marry Me Shrimp Pasta
4
servings10
minutes15
minutes810
This Marry Me shrimp pasta is impossible to say no to! With tender shrimp, sun-dried tomatoes, and a creamy sauce, it’s just incredible.
Ingredients
- For the Shrimp:
1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
1 tsp smoked paprika
1 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp red chili flakes (optional, for heat)
Salt and black pepper, to taste
2 tbsp olive oil
- For the Sauce:
2 tbsp butter
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup chicken or vegetable broth
1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
1 tsp Italian seasoning
1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
Salt and pepper, to taste
Fresh basil leaves, chopped (for garnish)
- For the Pasta:
12 oz pasta (linguine, fettuccine, or spaghetti works well)
Salt, for boiling water
Instructions
- In a bowl, toss the shrimp with smoked paprika, garlic powder, chili flakes, salt, and pepper. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook the shrimp for 2-3 minutes per side until pink and opaque. Remove and set aside.
- Boil the pasta in salted water according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water, then drain and set aside.
- In the same skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Stir in the sun-dried tomatoes and cook for 1 minute. Add the chicken broth and bring to a simmer.
- Lower the heat and stir in heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes. Simmer gently for 3-5 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
- Add the cooked pasta to the sauce and toss to coat. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of reserved pasta water to loosen it. Return the shrimp to the skillet and toss gently to combine. Cook for 1-2 minutes to warm everything through.
- Garnish with freshly chopped basil and extra Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Notes
- Use high-quality sun-dried tomatoes for the best flavor. Oil-packed ones are especially rich and flavorful.
- Taste and adjust salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes in the sauce to suit your preference for spice and saltiness.
- Add spinach for extra greens, white wine for acidity, or mushrooms for an earthy note.
