Marry Me Shrimp Pasta - Serving Dumplings (2024)

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Let’s dive into what makes this dish a real standout!

1. Sun-Dried Tomatoes: Sun-dried tomatoes infuse the creamy Parmesan sauce with a sweet, tangy kick, balancing richness with a vibrant tomato twist. If you’ve never tried sun-dried tomatoes, prepare to be amazed! You can easily find them at your local grocery store, typically located near the olives. Trust me, they’re a game-changer!
2. Minimal Cleanup: I’m all about keeping things simple, and this shrimp pasta does just that. With only two pans in play, not only do you get a comforting meal, but cleanup is a breeze.
3. Shrimp: The juicy shrimp, with their natural sweetness and seafood essence, pairs perfectly with the rich sun-dried tomato cream sauce. This combination creates a burst of flavors that tantalizes the taste buds. I always keep a bag of frozen shrimp in my freezer. It means you can thaw them whenever you’re ready to cook.
4. Pantry Magic: With basic seasonings, pasta, cream, a bit of butter, garlic cloves, and Parmesan from your pantry and fridge, you’ve got all it takes to create a simple yet irresistible dish that will become a regular in your rotation.
5. Super Versatile: Want to save yourself from a trip to the store? No sun-dried tomatoes or Parmesan? No problem! Raid your pantry and freezer, cherry tomatoes, roasted peppers, or any hard cheese will do. Your kitchen, your rules!

Ingredients, Tips and Substitutions

• Shrimp: Opt for medium-large shrimp, but any size you prefer will work.
• Pasta: Choose your favorite variety, both short and long pastas are suitable. Rigatoni, fusili, or penne are excellent choices for sauce adherence.
• Olive Oil and Butter: For searing the shrimp and sautéing the garlic.
• Seasoning: A blend of salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and sweet paprika seasons the shrimp, while Italian seasoning (or dried thyme or oregano) enriches the sauce.
• Sun-Dried Tomatoes: The star ingredient.
• Garlic: Essential for flavor enhancement.
• Flour: Used for sauce thickening, can be substituted with cornstarch.
• Chicken Broth: To deglaze the skillet, vegetable or fish broth can be alternatives. You can also swap it for dry white wine.
• Heavy Cream: Creates a luxuriously creamy and flavorful sauce, avoid using half-and-half or light cream for optimal thickness.
• Parmesan: Freshly grated for a creamy texture and rich, savory taste. Substitutions: Pecorino, Asiago, Grana Padano, hard aged cheese.
• Tomato Paste: Deepens the flavor profile and imparts a subtle, sweet-tangy note to the sauce.
• Basil Leaves: Infuse aromatic freshness, parsley is a suitable substitute.
• Lemon Juice: Provides a zesty, balancing contrast to the dish’s richness, enhancing its overall flavor.
• Chili Flakes: Adds a spicy kick for those who crave a bit of heat.

Recipe Notes

• Pair with Complementary Sides: Elevate your dining experience by serving this dish with roasted vegetables or a crisp, leafy side salad.
• Add a Greens Boost: For an extra dose of greens, toss in a handful of baby spinach right into the sauce before adding the pasta and shrimp to the skillet. It’s an easy way to incorporate more nutrients and color.
• Drain Sun-Dried Tomatoes Properly: Be sure to drain the oil from the sun-dried tomatoes to avoid ending up with an overly oily and clumpy sauce. If you have sun-dried tomatoes that aren’t packed in oil, hydrate them first by placing the tomatoes in a heatproof bowl. Add about 1 cup of hot water to the tomatoes, cover, and allow them to sit for a couple of minutes until the skins soften and can be easily cut. Drain the water from the tomatoes before adding them to the sauce.
• Storage: Any leftovers can be safely stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.