Marry Me Shrimp Pasta

Pin6K

This Marry Me Shrimp Pasta is a rich and indulgent dish that brings together succulent shrimp, creamy Parmesan sauce, and the bold flavors of sun-dried tomatoes and fresh basil. The combination of garlic and cream creates a luxurious sauce that clings perfectly to the linguine, making each bite incredibly satisfying.

Perfect for a romantic date night or a special family dinner, this dish is easy to make yet impressive enough to feel gourmet. The best part is, it comes together in just 30 minutes, so you can enjoy restaurant-quality flavors without spending hours in the kitchen. Whether you’re a seafood lover or a pasta enthusiast, this recipe is sure to become a new favorite in your household!

Full Recipe:

12 oz linguine or pasta of your choice

1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
1 tbsp olive oil
3 cloves garlic, minced

1 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
1/2 cup chicken broth

1 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped

Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

Cook the linguine in a large pot of salted boiling water according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.

In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add shrimp and season with salt and pepper. Cook for 2-3 minutes until shrimp are pink and opaque. Remove shrimp and set aside.
In the same skillet, add minced garlic and red pepper flakes, and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
Add sun-dried tomatoes and chicken broth. Bring to a simmer, scraping up any browned bits from the pan.

Stir in the heavy cream and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Let it cook for 3-4 minutes until it thickens slightly.
Add the Parmesan cheese, stirring continuously until melted and well combined.
Return the shrimp to the skillet, along with the cooked pasta. Toss everything together to coat the pasta and shrimp in the creamy sauce.

Garnish with fresh basil and serve immediately.

Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cooking Time: 20 minutes | Total Time: 30 minutes

Kcal: 620 kcal | Servings: 4 servings

Background and Origin:

The Marry Me Shrimp Pasta is a spin on the viral “Marry Me Chicken” dish that took the internet by storm. The name comes from the dish’s irresistible flavors, which some jokingly say are so good, they could inspire a marriage proposal! This shrimp variation takes the same creamy, flavorful sauce concept but swaps the chicken for tender shrimp, adding a touch of seafood elegance to the dish.

Why It’s So Popular:

Quick and Easy: This recipe can be prepared in just 30 minutes, making it ideal for busy weeknights when you want something special but don’t have hours to cook.
Restaurant-Quality at Home: With its rich, creamy Parmesan sauce and bold flavors from garlic and sun-dried tomatoes, the dish feels indulgent and fancy without being complicated to make.

Versatile for Different Occasions: Whether you’re cooking a romantic dinner for two or feeding the whole family, this pasta dish is perfect for any occasion. It’s also easily scalable if you’re hosting a dinner party.

Nutritional Benefits:

While Marry Me Shrimp Pasta is undeniably creamy and decadent, shrimp offers some great health benefits:

Low in Calories and High in Protein: Shrimp is low in calories but high in protein, making this dish feel indulgent without being overly heavy.

Rich in Vitamins and Minerals: Shrimp is an excellent source of iodine, which is essential for thyroid function, and is also rich in selenium, a powerful antioxidant that helps boost the immune system.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids: The inclusion of shrimp in this dish provides a good source of omega-3 fatty acids, which are beneficial for heart and brain health.

Customization Ideas:

One of the best aspects of Marry Me Shrimp Pasta is how easy it is to adapt to different tastes and dietary needs:

Vegetarian Option: Substitute the shrimp with sautéed mushrooms or roasted vegetables like zucchini or bell peppers for a vegetarian twist on the creamy sauce.
Add More Greens: Toss in some fresh spinach or kale to add extra nutrients to the dish without compromising the creamy goodness.
Spice it Up: If you like heat, increase the amount of red pepper flakes or add a dash of cayenne pepper to the sauce for a spicy kick.

Wine Pairing Suggestions:

White Wine: This dish pairs beautifully with a crisp white wine such as a Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc. The acidity in the wine cuts through the richness of the creamy sauce and complements the delicate shrimp flavors.
Rosé: If you prefer something lighter, a dry Rosé is a great match as it balances the creaminess while enhancing the fresh basil and tomato flavors.

Serving Tips:

Best Pasta to Use: Linguine is the recommended pasta for this recipe because its thin, flat shape holds the creamy sauce well, but fettuccine or spaghetti can also work beautifully.

For Extra Indulgence: You can finish the dish with a drizzle of high-quality olive oil or a sprinkle of additional Parmesan cheese before serving.
Serving Plating Ideas: To make it more visually appealing, serve the pasta in a shallow bowl with a sprinkle of fresh basil on top and a few sun-dried tomato pieces for added color.

Storage and Leftovers:

Storing Leftovers: Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, gently warm the pasta on the stovetop with a splash of cream or chicken broth to restore the creamy texture.

Freezing Option: While cream-based sauces don’t always freeze well, you can freeze this dish for up to a month if you don’t mind a slightly altered texture. To freeze, place it in a freezer-safe container and thaw it overnight in the fridge before reheating.

History and Inspiration Behind the Dish:

The original “Marry Me Chicken” recipe gained its name due to its rich, creamy sauce and incredible flavors, with the playful suggestion that anyone who serves this dish is sure to receive a marriage proposal. The Marry Me Shrimp Pasta version follows this tradition by using succulent shrimp, known for its tender and slightly sweet flavor, which complements the creamy Parmesan-based sauce perfectly. The addition of sun-dried tomatoes adds a tangy sweetness, while fresh basil brings a bright, herbal note, making this dish a complete flavor experience.

The idea behind the “marry me” concept also speaks to the balance of flavors and textures that make this dish irresistible. The combination of garlic, cream, Parmesan, and shrimp is so harmonious that it’s bound to impress any guest or loved one, whether for a casual meal or a special occasion.

Key Ingredients and Their Role in the Recipe:

Shrimp: Shrimp is the star of this dish, offering a light yet meaty texture that holds up well to the creamy sauce. They cook quickly, making them perfect for a dish that’s fast but still feels luxurious.
Sun-Dried Tomatoes: These add a concentrated burst of tangy, sweet flavor that cuts through the richness of the cream. The sun-dried tomatoes provide a Mediterranean flair that enhances the overall complexity of the dish.
Garlic: Garlic is a fundamental aromatic in this recipe, infusing the sauce with a warm, slightly spicy flavor. It pairs beautifully with both the shrimp and the creamy Parmesan sauce.

Heavy Cream and Parmesan Cheese: The heavy cream and Parmesan create the luxurious, velvety sauce that’s the heart of this recipe. The Parmesan also adds a salty, nutty note that deepens the flavors.
Fresh Basil: Fresh basil, added at the end, provides a fresh, aromatic contrast to the richness of the sauce. It’s both a garnish and a key flavoring component that elevates the entire dish.
Linguine or Fettuccine: Flat, wide pasta shapes like linguine or fettuccine are ideal for soaking up the creamy sauce, ensuring that each bite is perfectly coated. The texture of these pastas also complements the tender shrimp, creating a balanced mouthfeel.

Cooking Tips and Techniques:

Cooking the Shrimp: The key to perfectly cooked shrimp is to sauté them quickly until just pink and opaque. Overcooked shrimp become rubbery, so be sure to remove them from the heat as soon as they are done. In this recipe, the shrimp are cooked first, set aside, and then added back to the dish at the end to ensure they remain tender and juicy.
Building the Sauce: After cooking the shrimp, the garlic and red pepper flakes are sautéed in the same skillet to create a fragrant base for the sauce. Adding the chicken broth to deglaze the pan allows you to incorporate all the flavorful bits from cooking the shrimp, which gives the sauce extra depth.
Creamy Consistency: When adding the heavy cream, be sure to simmer it gently, allowing it to thicken without boiling, which could cause the cream to separate. The Parmesan cheese should be added off the heat to prevent it from clumping or becoming stringy, ensuring the sauce remains smooth and creamy.

Serving Suggestions:

Presentation: For a restaurant-quality presentation, serve the pasta in large, shallow bowls. Garnish with extra Parmesan, fresh basil, and a drizzle of olive oil for a luxurious finish. You can also add a few extra sun-dried tomatoes or even toasted pine nuts for added texture and visual appeal.

Accompaniments: This rich pasta dish pairs well with simple sides like a light, crisp green salad with a lemon vinaigrette or a serving of steamed asparagus or broccoli to balance the richness of the sauce. You can also serve it with crusty bread to mop up any extra sauce.

How to Make It Ahead:

Prepping in Advance: While this dish is best enjoyed fresh, you can prepare some components ahead of time. For example, you can cook the shrimp and make the sauce a few hours before serving. Store them separately in the fridge, and when you’re ready to eat, gently reheat the sauce and toss with freshly cooked pasta and shrimp.

Leftover Tips: Leftover pasta can sometimes dry out, so when reheating, add a splash of cream or chicken broth to restore the creamy consistency of the sauce. Heat gently on the stovetop to avoid overcooking the shrimp.

Fun Facts:

Shrimp in Italian Cuisine: Though shrimp is widely enjoyed around the world, it plays a special role in Italian coastal cuisine. Italians often incorporate seafood like shrimp into their pasta dishes, combining the flavors of the sea with rich sauces and fresh herbs, much like in this recipe.
Sun-Dried Tomatoes’ Origin: Sun-dried tomatoes were originally made as a way to preserve the fresh flavors of summer for use throughout the year. Drying tomatoes concentrates their flavors, making them a versatile ingredient that adds a punch of flavor to sauces, salads, and pasta.

Conclusion:

Marry Me Shrimp Pasta is the perfect blend of indulgence and simplicity, making it an excellent choice for any occasion. With its rich, creamy sauce, tender shrimp, and bold flavors from garlic and sun-dried tomatoes, this dish is sure to impress. Whether you’re cooking for a romantic dinner or a family meal, its quick preparation and restaurant-quality taste will leave everyone asking for seconds. Customize it to your liking, serve with a crisp salad or garlic bread, and enjoy this delightful pasta dish that’s bound to become a household favorite!