Okay, so picture this: a Tuesday night. Just a regular ol’ Tuesday, right? I wasn’t trying to impress anyone, just cooking up something cozy for my husband. But then, *that* smell started wafting through the kitchen – buttery garlic, sweet sun-dried tomatoes, a hint of that rich creaminess… seriously, it was incredible! He walked in, took one whiff, and with that goofy, loving grin, he said, “Jenny, what did I ever do to deserve this?” We sat down, twirled our forks, and honestly, by the end of the meal, we both agreed: this has gotta be called “Marry Me” Shrimp Pasta. It’s not just a meal; it’s that delicious, restaurant-fancy magic that makes a regular night feel totally unforgettable, and guess what? You can totally make it happen in your own kitchen!
Why You’ll Fall in Love with This “Marry Me” Shrimp Pasta
Seriously, this pasta is the real deal. It’s got that special something that makes you want to grab your favorite person and just… enjoy. Here’s why you’ll be making this again and again:
- Total Romance Factor: It’s the perfect dish for date night or any time you want to feel a little fancy without leaving the house.
- Easier Than You Think: Even if you’re not a whiz in the kitchen, this recipe is super straightforward. We’re talking gourmet vibes with minimal fuss.
- Flavor Explosion: Those tender shrimp, the creamy, garlicky sauce, the sweet sun-dried tomatoes – it’s a party in your mouth!
- Weeknight Indulgence: You don’t need a special occasion! Treat yourself any night of the week. It’s my go-to when I need a little comfort food magic.
- Crowd-Pleaser Guaranteed: Honestly, who doesn’t love shrimp pasta? It’s always a winner, no matter who you’re serving.
Gather Your Ingredients for “Marry Me” Shrimp Pasta
Alright, let’s get our mise en place ready! Having everything prepped makes cooking this beauty so much smoother. Trust me, it’s worth the little bit of effort upfront. Here’s what you’ll need to round up for that magical creamy garlic shrimp pasta goodness. You can find some great pantry staples like these essential keto pantry items that really make a difference!
For the Shrimp:
- 1 pound extra large shrimp, peeled and deveined (make sure they’re ready to go!)
- 0.5 tablespoon smoked paprika
- 0.75 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
- 0.75 teaspoon salt
- 1.5 tablespoon sun-dried tomato oil (grab that oil right from the jar – it’s full of flavor!)
For the Sauce:
- 2.5 tablespoon tomato paste (Cento brand is my favorite if you can find it!)
- 0.5 cup sun-dried tomatoes, diced (again, Cento is great here too!)
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 0.33 teaspoon sweet smoked paprika
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 0.75 teaspoon dried basil
- 2 tablespoon Gluten free 1:1 flour (our secret weapon for creaminess!)
- 2 cups spinach, diced (fresh or frozen works, just make sure it’s diced small)
- 2 tablespoon butter
- 2 tablespoon onion, minced
- 2 tablespoon garlic, minced (don’t be shy with the garlic!)
- 2 cups vegetable broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup parmesan cheese, grated (freshly grated melts best!)
- Fresh basil, chopped for garnish
- 12 oz penne, gluten-free (or your favorite pasta shape if you’re not going gluten-free!)
Crafting Your “Marry Me” Shrimp Pasta: Step-by-Step
Alright, deep breaths! This is where the magic happens. It might seem like a lot with all those ingredients, but trust me, it comes together so easily. Just follow these steps and you’ll have a restaurant-worthy dinner on your table in no time. For extra pointers, check out this awesome guide!
Prepare the Pasta
First things first, get that pasta going! Boil your gluten-free penne according to the package directions. You want it perfectly al dente – you know, with just a little bite to it. Don’t overcook it, or it’ll get mushy later.
Season and Cook the Shrimp
While your pasta is doing its thing, let’s get the shrimp ready. Toss those lovely peeled and deveined shrimp in a medium bowl with the smoked paprika, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Make sure they’re all coated! Then, heat up that sun-dried tomato oil in your big skillet over medium heat. Cook the shrimp for just about two minutes on each side until they turn pink and C-shaped. Quick tip: don’t overcook them, or they’ll get tough! Set them aside once they’re done.
Build the Flavorful Sauce
Now for the star of the show – the sauce! Melt the butter in that same skillet (less washing, yay!) over medium-low heat. Toss in your minced garlic, onion, diced sun-dried tomatoes, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, that sweet smoked paprika, salt, and dried basil. Stir it all around and let it get nice and fragrant for about two minutes. Next, sprinkle in the gluten-free flour and give it a good stir to coat everything. Pour in the vegetable broth and heavy cream, stirring constantly until the sauce starts to thicken and the spinach wilts down, which should take about 5 minutes. Finally, stir in that grated Parmesan cheese until it’s all melty and dreamy. Mmm, smells amazing already, right?
Combine and Serve Your “Marry Me” Shrimp Pasta
Now for the grand finale! Gently mix the cooked pasta right into that glorious sauce. Add back your perfectly cooked shrimp and give it another gentle stir to make sure everything is coated. Garnish with a sprinkle of fresh chopped basil, and voilà! Your stunning “Marry Me” Shrimp Pasta is ready to wow.
Tips for the Perfect “Marry Me” Shrimp Pasta
Alright, let’s chat about taking this already amazing dish from great to absolutely unforgettable. A few little tricks up your sleeve can make all the difference! These are the things I’ve learned that really elevate this creamy garlic shrimp pasta. You can find more tips on quick dinners in my guide to Quick Keto Dinner Recipes.
Don’t Skimp on the Aromatics: Make sure you really let that garlic and onion get fragrant in the butter before adding other things. It builds such a deep flavor base! I like to mince mine super fine so they just melt into the sauce.
Quality Sun-Dried Tomatoes Matter: Seriously, grab the good stuff! The oil from the jar is cooking liquid gold for this recipe. Using quality sun-dried tomatoes, especially those packed in oil, makes the sauce taste so much richer and more authentic. They rehydrate beautifully.
Watch That Shrimp Cook Time: Shrimp cook SO fast. You want them just turning pink and C-shaped. If you cook them too long in the pan, they’ll get rubbery when you stir them back into the hot sauce. Better to slightly undercook them in the pan since they finish cooking in the sauce!
Taste and Adjust: Before you add the pasta and shrimp back in, give that sauce a taste. Does it need a little more salt? A pinch more Italian seasoning? This is your moment to make it perfectly yours. It’s all about pleasing your palate!
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions for “Marry Me” Shrimp Pasta
Okay, so let’s chat about a few of these ingredients. Sometimes you might not have exactly what the recipe calls for, or maybe you’ve got specific needs, and that’s totally fine! This dish is super forgiving, and with a few tweaks, it’s still going to be amazing.
Shrimp Size: I love using extra-large shrimp because they feel so luxurious in the pasta, but honestly, large shrimp work just as well. Just make sure they’re peeled and deveined so you’re not doing extra work when dinner’s ready to be gobbled up!
Gluten-Free Pasta: This recipe uses gluten-free penne because sometimes we just need that! But if gluten-free isn’t a concern for you, regular penne, linguine, or even fettuccine are delicious here too. Use whatever pasta makes your heart sing!
Cheesy Goodness: Freshly grated Parmesan cheese is definitely the way to go here. It melts so much smoother and tastes way better than the pre-grated stuff. If you’re looking to keep it dairy-free, you can try a good quality dairy-free Parmesan alternative, though the texture might be a little different.
Sun-Dried Tomatoes: I’m really picky about my sun-dried tomatoes and love them packed in oil. The oil itself is flavor gold and perfect for sautéing the shrimp! If you only have dry ones, just rehydrate them in some warm water before dicing.
Frequently Asked Questions about “Marry Me” Shrimp Pasta
Got questions about this creamy garlic shrimp pasta? I’ve got answers! This dish is pretty straightforward, but it’s always good to know the little things. Plus, we can sneak in some of those secondary keywords we love!
Can I make this “Marry Me” Shrimp Pasta ahead of time?
Honestly, this romantic dinner dish is best served fresh. The shrimp can get a little mushy, and the sauce might separate if it sits for too long. It’s super quick to whip up, though – usually under 45 minutes total! So, I’d recommend making it right before you plan to dig in for the very best creamy pasta experience.
What kind of shrimp is best for this comfort food pasta?
I’m a big fan of using extra-large shrimp because they feel so luxurious and hold up well in the creamy sauce. However, large shrimp work great too! Just make sure they’re peeled and deveined. If you’re planning a truly romantic dinner, using fresh shrimp is always a plus, but good quality frozen ones work beautifully if thawed properly.
Is this recipe keto-friendly?
This particular recipe uses gluten-free penne pasta, which means it’s not strictly keto-friendly. However, it’s incredibly easy to make it keto! Just swap out the penne for your favorite keto-friendly pasta, like zucchini noodles, shirataki noodles, or even a low-carb pasta alternative. The rich, creamy sauce is already pretty keto-friendly, so it’s just a simple swap!
What if I don’t have gluten-free flour?
No worries at all! If gluten-free flour isn’t something you have on hand, you can easily substitute it with regular all-purpose flour. Or, if you’re trying to keep it low-carb or keto, you can try using a xanthan gum slurry (about 1 teaspoon of xanthan gum mixed with 2 tablespoons of water) to thicken the sauce. You might need to play around with the amount to get the perfect creamy consistency, kind of like when making keto mac and cheese!
Serving Suggestions for Your “Marry Me” Shrimp Pasta
This “Marry Me” Shrimp Pasta is a star on its own, but a few thoughtful pairings can make it a truly memorable meal, perfect for a romantic dinner or a special weeknight indulgence. Think cozy, elegant, and delicious!
- Crisp Green Salad: A simple arugula salad with a light lemon vinaigrette cuts through the richness of the creamy sauce beautifully. It’s refreshing and balances the pasta perfectly.
- Garlic Bread (or Keto alternative!): You can’t go wrong with some warm garlic bread for dipping up any extra sauce. If you’re keeping it keto, maybe some crispy keto zucchini fries would be amazing!
- A Light White Wine: A crisp Pinot Grigio or a Sauvignon Blanc pairs wonderfully with shrimp and creamy sauces. It just adds to that special occasion feel. Cheers!
Storing and Reheating Your “Marry Me” Shrimp Pasta
Even though this creamy garlic shrimp pasta is best enjoyed fresh, sometimes life happens and you have leftovers! Don’t worry, storing and reheating this dish is pretty simple. If you’re looking for more ways to make cozy meals easy, check out these cozy crockpot keto recipes!
Storing: Let the pasta cool down a bit before you pop it into an airtight container. Pop it in the fridge, and it should be good for about 1-2 days. The sauce might thicken up quite a bit as it cools, which is normal!
Reheating: When you’re ready to enjoy those leftovers, gently reheat the pasta in a saucepan over low heat. Add a splash of broth or water (like, a tablespoon or two) to loosen up that sauce and get it nice and creamy again. Stir it well until it’s heated through. Be careful not to overheat, as the shrimp can get a little tough if cooked too long again.
Estimated Nutritional Information
Just a friendly heads-up: these numbers are estimates! The exact nutritional info can totally change depending on the brands you use (especially for things like heavy cream and cheese) and how perfectly you cook everything. But, as a general idea, each serving of this amazing “Marry Me” Shrimp Pasta comes out to roughly: Calories: 650-750, Fat: 40-50g, Protein: 35-45g, Carbs: 30-40g. Enjoy every delicious bite!
Share Your “Marry Me” Shrimp Pasta Experience
Okay, so you’ve made it! You’ve whipped up this incredible “Marry Me” Shrimp Pasta, and I bet it’s smelling absolutely divine. Now, I’d LOVE to hear all about it! Did your partner propose a second helping (or maybe even… you know 😉)? Let me know in the comments below! Share your thoughts, rate this recipe, and if you snap any photos, tag me on social media – I can’t WAIT to see your creations! You can also reach out through my contact page.
Marry Me Shrimp Pasta
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Boil the pasta according to the package directions for al dente while you cook the shrimp.
- Toss the shrimp with the paprika, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper in a medium bowl until they are evenly coated.
- Heat the sun-dried tomato oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook the shrimp for two minutes on both sides until they are pink and C-shaped. Set the cooked shrimp aside.
- Melt the butter in the same skillet over medium-low heat. Add the garlic, onion, sun-dried tomatoes, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and dried basil. Cook for about two minutes until fragrant.
- Add the flour to the aromatics and stir well. Then, add the broth, heavy cream, and spinach. Stir and cook until the sauce thickens and the spinach wilts, about 5 minutes. Add the parmesan cheese and stir until melted.
- Mix the cooked pasta into the sauce. Add the shrimp and gently stir again. Garnish with fresh basil.
