Creamy Shrimp Pasta

This Creamy Shrimp Pasta Recipe is a decadent pasta loaded with shrimp simmered in a creamy tomato basil sauce. Ready in 30 minutes so it’s perfect for weeknights!

One of the most popular recipes on my blog is my recipe for Parmesan Crusted Tilapia with Tomato Basil Cream Sauce. It constantly gets rave reviews, especially the sauce. So I decided to try that delectable creamy sauce in a pasta and this Creamy Shrimp Pasta Recipe was born.

And it worked. It worked so well, guys. This pasta recipe is rich, decadent and with flavors of tomatoes and basil it is perfect for summer evenings. Or even in Winter when you’re longing for summer days again.

What ingredients do you need?

• PENNE PASTA: I opted to use a short pasta with holes to really soak up all the sauce. You could easily use shells, bows or elbows as well.
• CHERRY TOMATOES: They are slightly sweet and simmering them in the cream causes them to burst giving the whole sauce a subtle tomato flavor.
• GARLIC: I mean, you gotta have it, right?
• HEAVY CREAM: Don’t substitute milk or half & half here. You want the full richness of the cream.
• FRESH BASIL: To get basil ribbons (Chiffonade) simply roll several leaves together and chop.
• SHRIMP: I use small 51-60 count shrimp in this recipe. Shrimp size is determined by how many shrimp are in each pound. 51-60 count shrimp means there would be 51-60 shrimp in each pound.
• OLIVE OIL/SALT/PEPPER

How do you make Creamy Shrimp Pasta?

One of the best things about this pasta is how quickly it comes together. You’ll prepare the shrimp and sauce while the pasta is cooking.

• STEP #1: Prepare the pasta according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
• STEP #2: In a pan large enough to hold the pasta, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add garlic and cook just until fragrant about 1 minute. Add in tomatoes and cook 2 more minutes.
• STEP #3: Reduce heat to medium-low and add in cream. Simmer 15 minutes or until sauce thickens slightly and coats the back of a spoon.
• STEP #4: Add in the shrimp and simmer 5 – 7 minutes or until they are cooked through.
• STEP#5: Stir in the pasta and basil. Toss to coat. Turn off heat and let set 5 minutes so the pasta can absorb some of the sauce. Stir once more, season to taste with salt and pepper and serve.

I served this pasta with salad drizzled garlic vinaigrette and some of my super easy garlic bread. And the whole family loved it! I just know that it is going to be in our meal rotation from now on.

It’s also got just enough of a decadent and rich flavor, that it would be a perfect date night meal too!

If you loved this Creamy Shrimp Pasta recipe and are looking for more ways to enjoy shrimp, here are some of my favorites:

• Shrimp Tacos with Cilantro Lime Sour Cream Sauce
• Cajun Popcorn Shrimp
• Shrimp and Pork Wontons in Spicy Sauce
• Shrimp Zucchini Tomato Pasta

Creamy Shrimp Pasta

This Creamy Shrimp Pasta recipe is a decadent pasta with shrimp simmered in a creamy tomato basil sauce. Ready in 30 minutes so it's perfect for weeknights!

5 from 1 vote

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Prep Time 10 mins

Cook Time 20 mins

Total Time 30 mins

Course Main Dishes

Cuisine American

Servings 4 Servings

Calories 444 kcal

Ingredients

  

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Ingredients:

• ▢ 8 ounces dried penne pasta
• ▢ 2 tablespoons olive oil
• ▢ 4 cloves garlic minced
• ▢ 1 1/2 cups halved cherry tomatoes
• ▢ 3/4 cup heavy cream
• ▢ handful fresh basil
• ▢ 1 pound 51-60 count shrimp peeled and deveined
• ▢ salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

 

• ▢
  Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain set aside.
• ▢
  While the pasta is cooking, heat olive oil in large skillet over medium heat. Add garlic, cook just until fragrant 30 seconds to 1 minute. Add in tomatoes and cook 2 minutes. Reduce heat to medium-low and slowly add cream. Simmer for 15 minutes or until thickened enough to coat the back of a spoon.
• ▢
  Add in shrimp. Simmer 5 - 7 minutes or until the shrimp are cooked through.
• ▢
  Add in cooked pasta and basil. Turn off heat and let sit 5 minutes. Stir and season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve immediately.

Notes

To lessen the prep time, I like to buy easy peel shrimp. This means that they've already been deveined for you. It makes things SO much faster.

Nutrition facts for estimation purposes only.

Nutrition

Calories: 444kcalCarbohydrates: 37.5gProtein: 31.2gFat: 16.7gSaturated Fat: 6.4gCholesterol: 224mgSodium: 226mgFiber: 0.9gSugar: 2.3g

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Keywords: shrimp