If you are craving comfort food that feels a little indulgent, this creamy shrimp pasta is the answer. This pasta dish is rich, buttery, and perfectly creamy while still being surprisingly simple to throw together. In fact, you can have this creamy shrimp dish on the table in under 20 minutes. This creamy shrimp pasta is the perfect cozy weeknight dinner as it is for impressing guests.
Ingredients
- 8 oz pasta
- 1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 2 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 tbsp olive oil or butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup chicken broth
- ½ cup half and half (or heavy cream for a richer sauce)
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Extra salt, paprika, or cayenne (to taste)
- Parsley
- A squeeze of lemon juice (optional)
Click on the images for the direct link to the ingredients/tools I used:
Creamy Shrimp Pasta Instructions
Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
In a bowl, season the shrimp with paprika, cayenne, onion powder, and salt. Toss to coat.
Heat butter or olive oil in a large skillet. Add garlic and sauté until fragrant.
Add shrimp and cook 1–2 minutes per side, until pink. Remove shrimp and set aside.
Pour in chicken broth and let it simmer for 2–3 minutes.
Stir in half and half, then add parmesan cheese. Adjust seasoning with salt, paprika, or cayenne as needed.
Add pasta and parsley.
Return shrimp to the pan and stir gently.
Finish with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice for brightness, if desired.
Creamy Shrimp Pasta Tips
- Avoid overcooking the shrimp, as it will turn rubbery.
- Save some pasta water for later—it acts as a natural thickener thanks to the starch. If your sauce is too thin, add a splash to help it thicken.
- The starch also helps the sauce cling to the pasta, coating it evenly instead of sliding off.
How to Avoid Sauce from Separating?
When making the sauce, use gentle heat. High heat can curdle the butter or cream. Cook on medium-low and stir constantly.
Slowly mix in the cream and cheese instead of dumping it at once.
Finish it with pasta water which can help emulsify the sauce and keep it smooth.
Once everything is done, remove the sauce from the pan and serve it right away.
Ingredient Substitutions
Half and Half –> Heavy cream
Butter –> Olive oil or ghee
Parmesan Cheese –> Pecorino Romano or Asiago
Shrimp –> Scallop, chicken, or any other protein
Chicken broth –> vegetable broth
Creamy Shrimp Pasta
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
- In a bowl, season the shrimp with paprika, cayenne, onion powder, and salt. Toss to coat.
- Heat butter or olive oil in a large skillet. Add garlic and sauté until fragrant.
- Add shrimp and cook 1–2 minutes per side, until pink. Remove shrimp and set aside.
- Pour in chicken broth and let it simmer for 2–3 minutes.
- Stir in half and half, then add parmesan cheese. Adjust seasoning with salt, paprika, or cayenne as needed.
- Add pasta and parsley.
- Return shrimp to the pan and stir gently.
- Finish with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice for brightness, if desired.
If you enjoyed this creamy shrimp pasta recipe, you might also want to check out my Cajun pasta recipe.
