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A close-up view of a vibrant Marry Me Shrimp Pasta dish, featuring plump shrimp nestled in a creamy, red-sauced pasta, garnished with fresh herbs.
Layla

Marry Me Shrimp Pasta

Tender shrimp and pasta are tossed in an incredibly rich and savory sun-dried tomato cream sauce, creating a restaurant-quality dish that's ready in about 30 minutes.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American, Italian
Calories: 875

Ingredients
  

For the Pasta and Shrimp
  • 12 oz Fettuccine or Linguine or your favorite long pasta
  • 1 lb Large Shrimp peeled and deveined, tails on or off
  • 1 tbsp Olive Oil
  • 1/2 tsp Salt for seasoning shrimp
  • 1/4 tsp Black Pepper freshly ground
For the Sun-Dried Tomato Cream Sauce
  • 2 tbsp Unsalted Butter
  • 1 large Shallot finely chopped
  • 4 cloves Garlic minced
  • 1/2 cup Sun-Dried Tomatoes in oil drained and roughly chopped
  • 1 tbsp Oil from sun-dried tomato jar reserved from the jar
  • 1/2 cup Chicken Broth low-sodium
  • 1 cup Heavy Cream
  • 3/4 cup Grated Parmesan Cheese freshly grated, plus more for serving
  • 1 tsp Dried Oregano
  • 1/4 tsp Red Pepper Flakes or more, to taste
  • 1/4 cup Fresh Basil chopped, for garnish

Equipment

  • Large skillet or Dutch oven
  • Large Pot
  • Colander

Method
 

Cook Pasta & Shrimp
  1. Cook the pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water according to package directions until al dente. Just before draining, reserve 1 cup of the starchy pasta water.
  2. While the pasta cooks, pat the shrimp completely dry with paper towels. Season them on both sides with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper.
  3. Heat 1 tbsp of olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the shrimp in a single layer and cook for 1-2 minutes per side, just until they turn pink and opaque. Do not overcook. Remove the shrimp from the skillet and set aside on a plate.
Make the Sauce & Assemble
  1. In the same skillet, reduce the heat to medium. Add the 2 tbsp of butter. Once melted, add the finely chopped shallot and cook, stirring occasionally, for 2-3 minutes until softened and translucent.
  2. Add the minced garlic, chopped sun-dried tomatoes, and 1 tbsp of reserved oil from the tomato jar. Cook for about 1 minute until the garlic is fragrant, stirring constantly to prevent burning.
  3. Pour in the chicken broth to deglaze the pan, using a wooden spoon to scrape up any flavorful browned bits from the bottom. Let it simmer and reduce for about 2-3 minutes.
  4. Reduce the heat to low. Stir in the heavy cream, dried oregano, and red pepper flakes. Bring to a gentle simmer, but do not boil.
  5. Gradually whisk in the grated Parmesan cheese until the sauce is smooth and has slightly thickened. Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt and pepper if needed.
  6. Add the drained pasta and the cooked shrimp (along with any juices from the plate) back into the skillet with the sauce. Toss well to coat everything evenly. If the sauce seems too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water until it reaches your desired consistency.
  7. Remove from heat, stir in the fresh basil, and serve immediately. Garnish with additional Parmesan cheese and red pepper flakes if desired.

Notes

Reserve Pasta Water: Don't forget this step! The starchy pasta water is the secret to creating a silky sauce and adjusting its consistency perfectly.
Don't Overcook Shrimp: Shrimp cooks in just a few minutes. Removing it from the pan as soon as it's pink ensures it stays tender and juicy.
Freshly Grated Parmesan: For the smoothest sauce, use a block of Parmesan and grate it yourself. Pre-shredded cheeses often contain anti-caking agents that can make the sauce grainy.
Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. The sauce will thicken upon cooling; reheat gently on the stovetop with a splash of milk or broth to loosen it up.