A Taste of Sunshine in Every Bite
Oh, hello there, my friend! Do you ever have those nights where you’re craving something utterly delicious, something that feels like a warm hug in a bowl, but the thought of a complicated meal just makes you want to order takeout? I totally get it! That’s why I’m so excited to share this Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Shrimp with Spinach Pasta recipe with you. It’s the kind of dish that brings a smile to your face, tastes like it came from your favorite Italian restaurant, but is surprisingly quick and simple to whip up. We’re talking weeknight-friendly, people!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Fast: Seriously, from start to finish, you’ll be digging into this creamy goodness in no time. Perfect for those busy evenings!
- Easy: No fancy techniques required. If you can boil pasta and sauté shrimp, you’ve got this.
- Giftable: While you’ll want to eat it all yourself, imagine making a batch and gifting it to a friend who’s had a rough week. So thoughtful!
- Crowd-pleasing: Kids and adults alike adore this creamy, savory pasta. It’s a guaranteed hit at family dinners or potlucks.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering these ingredients is half the fun, and thankfully, they’re all pretty easy to find. Let’s get our mise en place ready!
- 8 oz pasta (fettuccine or penne): I love using fettuccine because the creamy sauce clings to those wide ribbons so beautifully, but penne is also fantastic! Choose your favorite.
- 1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined: Fresh or frozen (thawed, of course!) work great. Make sure they’re all ready to go.
- 2 tablespoons olive oil: Our trusty friend for sautéing.
- 3 cloves garlic, minced: Because what pasta dish isn’t better with garlic?
- 1 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped: These little flavor bombs are the star! I prefer oil-packed ones as they tend to be more tender and flavorful.
- 2 cups fresh spinach: It wilts down so easily and adds a lovely touch of green and healthy goodness.
- 1 cup heavy cream: This is where the magic happens – the creamy, dreamy sauce!
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese: For that salty, nutty, umami flavor that makes everything better.
- Salt and pepper to taste: Essential for seasoning and bringing out all those delicious flavors.
- Fresh basil for garnish: A few leaves of fresh basil really elevate the dish and add a pop of color and freshness.
How to Make It: Step-by-Step
Alright, let’s get cooking! It’s going to be so easy, you might just do a little happy dance.
Step 1: Cook Your Pasta
First things first, let’s get your pasta going. Cook the pasta according to package directions. You want it to be perfectly al dente – that means it still has a little bite to it. While your pasta is bubbling away, you can start on the sauce. I usually reserve about a cup of the starchy pasta water before draining, just in case I need it later to loosen up the sauce.
Step 2: Sauté the Aromatics and Tomatoes
In a large skillet or pot over medium heat, add your olive oil. Once it’s shimmering, toss in your minced garlic and chopped sun-dried tomatoes. Sauté them for about 1-2 minutes until the garlic is fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic – we want lovely flavor, not bitterness!
Step 3: Cook the Shrimp
Now, add your prepared shrimp to the skillet. Season them with a pinch of salt and pepper. Cook for just 2-3 minutes per side, or until they turn pink and opaque. Don’t overcook them, or they’ll become tough! It’s better to cook them slightly less as they will continue to cook in the sauce.
Step 4: Wilt the Spinach
Toss in your fresh spinach and stir it around. It will seem like a lot of spinach, but it wilts down super fast. Just keep stirring until it’s nicely wilted.
Step 5: Create the Creamy Sauce
Pour in the heavy cream and stir everything together. Let it simmer gently for about 2-3 minutes, allowing it to thicken slightly. Then, stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until it’s melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy.
Step 6: Combine Everything
Add your drained pasta directly into the skillet with the sauce. Toss everything together gently until the pasta is beautifully coated in that luscious, creamy sauce. If the sauce seems a little too thick, you can add a splash of that reserved pasta water, a tablespoon at a time, until it reaches your desired consistency.
Step 7: Serve and Enjoy!
Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt and pepper if needed. Serve immediately, garnished with fresh basil leaves. Doesn’t that look amazing? Dig in and enjoy your homemade masterpiece!
Substitutions & Additions
This recipe is fantastic as is, but here are a few ideas to make it your own:
- Veggies: Feel free to add other quick-cooking vegetables like sliced mushrooms, cherry tomatoes halved, or even some steamed broccoli florets.
- Protein: If shrimp isn’t your jam, cooked chicken, Italian sausage, or even white beans can be delicious alternatives.
- Spice it Up: A pinch of red pepper flakes added with the garlic will give it a nice little kick!
- Lemon Zest: A little fresh lemon zest stirred in at the end can add a bright, fresh flavor that cuts through the richness of the cream.
Tips for Success
A few little tricks to ensure your pasta is perfect every time:
- Don’t Overcook the Pasta: I can’t stress this enough! Al dente is key.
- Prep Ahead: You can mince your garlic and chop your sun-dried tomatoes ahead of time, making the actual cooking process even faster.
- The Pasta Water Secret: That starchy water is liquid gold! It helps emulsify the sauce and gives it that perfect silky texture.
- Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: If your skillet isn’t big enough to hold everything comfortably, cook the shrimp in batches to ensure they get a nice sauté rather than steam.
How to Store It
Leftovers are a happy thing! Let the pasta cool completely before storing it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It’s best enjoyed within 2-3 days. When reheating, you might need to add a splash of milk or water to revive the creaminess of the sauce.
FAQs
Is this recipe good for meal prep?
Yes! You can cook the pasta and sauce separately and then combine them when you’re ready to eat to prevent the pasta from getting too soft.
Can I use milk instead of heavy cream?
While heavy cream provides the richest, creamiest texture, you can try using half-and-half for a slightly lighter sauce. Using regular milk might result in a thinner sauce that’s more prone to breaking.
What kind of pasta works best?
Long, flat pastas like fettuccine or linguine are wonderful because they really hold onto the creamy sauce. Shorter, sturdy shapes like penne or rotini also work beautifully.
Do I need to use fresh basil?
Fresh basil is ideal for garnish and adds a lovely aroma and flavor. If you can’t find fresh, a tiny pinch of dried basil can be added to the sauce, but it won’t have quite the same impact.
Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Shrimp Pasta
Equipment
- Large skillet or pot
- Large pot For cooking pasta
Ingredients
Main ingredients
- 8 oz pasta (fettuccine or penne) Cook according to package directions
- 1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined Fresh or frozen (thawed)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped Oil-packed preferred
- 2 cups fresh spinach
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 0.5 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- salt and pepper to taste
- fresh basil for garnish
Instructions
- Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve about 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
- In a large skillet or pot over medium heat, heat olive oil. Add minced garlic and chopped sun-dried tomatoes. Sauté for 1-2 minutes until garlic is fragrant.
- Add shrimp to the skillet, season with salt and pepper. Cook for 2-3 minutes per side, until pink and opaque. Remove shrimp from skillet if desired to prevent overcooking, or leave in.
- Add fresh spinach to the skillet and stir until wilted.
- Pour in heavy cream and stir. Simmer for 2-3 minutes to thicken slightly. Stir in grated Parmesan cheese until melted and sauce is smooth.
- Add drained pasta to the skillet with the sauce. Toss to coat. If the sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water a tablespoon at a time until desired consistency is reached.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if needed. Serve immediately, garnished with fresh basil.