Description
Creamy spaghetti with shrimp delights palates with its luxurious Italian-inspired blend of tender seafood and silky sauce. Home cooks savor this elegant dish that brings restaurant-quality flavors directly to dinner tables.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 lb spaghetti
- 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 cup heavy cream
Aromatics and Seasonings:
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp butter
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
Garnish and Optional Extras:
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 lemon, zested
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil, preparing to cook the spaghetti until it reaches an al dente texture, typically around 8-10 minutes.
- While the water heats, pat the shrimp dry with paper towels to ensure optimal searing and prevent excess moisture.
- Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat, creating a rich, flavorful base for the sauce.
- Sauté minced garlic for 30-45 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to brown or burn the delicate aromatics.
- Introduce the shrimp to the skillet, cooking for 2-3 minutes on each side until they turn pink and develop a light golden exterior.
- Pour heavy cream into the skillet, reducing heat to medium-low and allowing the sauce to simmer and slightly thicken for 3-4 minutes.
- Season the sauce with salt, black pepper, and optional red pepper flakes, stirring to distribute the seasonings evenly.
- Drain the perfectly cooked spaghetti, reserving a small amount of pasta water to help bind the sauce if needed.
- Gently fold the spaghetti into the creamy shrimp mixture, ensuring each strand is luxuriously coated.
- Remove from heat and sprinkle fresh chopped parsley and lemon zest over the dish for a bright, fresh finish.
- Garnish with freshly grated parmesan cheese just before serving, allowing it to melt slightly into the warm sauce.
Notes
- Pat shrimp completely dry to achieve a beautiful golden sear and prevent steaming instead of browning.
- Use high-quality, fresh shrimp for the most vibrant flavor and tender texture in your final dish.
- Keep pasta water handy to help emulsify and adjust sauce consistency if it becomes too thick or dry.
- Avoid overcooking shrimp by removing them from heat the moment they turn pink to maintain delicate, juicy meat.
- Experiment with alternative protein options like chicken or scallops for dietary variety without changing core recipe technique.
- Consider using gluten-free spaghetti for a celiac-friendly version that maintains the same creamy, luxurious experience.
- Reduce cream sauce calories by substituting half-and-half or using lighter cream alternatives without sacrificing richness.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 600
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 60 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 200 mg