Prepare to embark on a culinary journey that will transform your ordinary dinner into an extraordinary feast! Eric's Creamy Garlic Shrimp is not just a recipe—it's a flavor explosion that will make your taste buds dance with delight. Imagine succulent shrimp bathed in a luxuriously creamy sauce, perfectly seasoned and ready to transport you straight to Italian coastal cuisine in just 25 minutes. Whether you're a seasoned home chef or a cooking novice, this mouthwatering dish promises to impress everyone at your table and become an instant family favorite.
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 15 mins
Total Time: 25 mins
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- Shrimp, peeled and deveined
- Garlic, minced
- Heavy cream
- Parmesan cheese, grated
- Pasta of choice
- Salt
- Pepper
Instructions
- Begin by gathering all the ingredients: peeled and deveined shrimp, minced garlic, heavy cream, grated Parmesan cheese, your choice of pasta, salt, and pepper.
- Fill a large pot with water, add a generous pinch of salt, and bring it to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, add your pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve about 1 cup of pasta water, then drain the pasta and set it aside.
- While the pasta is cooking, heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add a tablespoon of olive oil or butter to the skillet and allow it to heat up.
- Once the oil is hot, add the minced garlic to the skillet and sauté for about 1 minute, or until fragrant, being careful not to let it burn.
- Add the peeled and deveined shrimp to the skillet. Season with salt and pepper. Cook the shrimp for about 2-3 minutes on each side or until they turn pink and opaque.
- Once the shrimp are cooked, reduce the heat to low and pour in the heavy cream. Stir gently to combine and allow the cream to warm through, about 2 minutes.
- Gradually add the grated Parmesan cheese to the skillet, stirring continuously until the cheese melts and the sauce becomes creamy. If the sauce is too thick, add a bit of the reserved pasta water to reach your desired consistency.
- Combine the cooked pasta with the creamy garlic shrimp sauce in the skillet. Toss gently to coat the pasta evenly with the sauce. If needed, season with additional salt and pepper to taste.
- Remove from heat and let the dish sit for a minute to thicken slightly. Serve immediately, garnished with extra Parmesan cheese and freshly cracked black pepper if desired.
Tips
- Shrimp Perfection: The key to tender shrimp is quick cooking. Watch for the color change from gray to pink, which indicates they're done. Overcooking will make them tough and rubbery.
- Garlic Management: Use fresh minced garlic and be careful not to burn it. Sauté just until fragrant to prevent bitterness.
- Sauce Consistency: If your sauce is too thick, use reserved pasta water to thin it out. This starchy water helps create a silky, smooth texture.
- Cheese Melting Technique: Add Parmesan gradually and stir continuously to ensure smooth melting without clumping.
- Pasta Selection: While the recipe works with any pasta, linguine, fettuccine, or angel hair work particularly well with this creamy sauce.
- Optional Enhancements: Consider adding red pepper flakes for a subtle heat or fresh parsley for a pop of color and freshness.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: kcal
Carbohydrates: g
Protein: g
Fat: g
Saturated Fat: g
Cholesterol: mg
