If you’ve been searching for a dish that captures bold flavors, creamy textures, and fresh ingredients all in one unforgettable meal, the Marry Me Shrimp Pasta Recipe will absolutely steal your heart. This dish combines succulent shrimp tossed in aromatic spices with a luscious sun-dried tomato cream sauce, perfectly coating rigatoni or your favorite pasta. It’s rich, vibrant, and so easy to make that once you try it, you’ll understand why it’s earned such a romantic name and a special place in many kitchens.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Each ingredient in the Marry Me Shrimp Pasta Recipe plays a delightful role, from seasoning depth to sauce richness and that fresh burst of herbs and cheese that brings everything together. These simple yet thoughtfully chosen components ensure every bite is packed with flavor and texture.
- 11 ounces rigatoni (or any pasta of your choice): Provides the perfect sturdy base to hold all of that creamy sauce.
- 1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined: Juicy and tender seafood that cooks quickly and absorbs the spices beautifully.
- 1 teaspoon sweet paprika: Adds a subtle smoky sweetness to the shrimp seasoning.
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder: Boosts the garlic flavor without overpowering the dish.
- 1/2 teaspoon salt: Essential for balancing and enhancing all the flavors.
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper: Adds just the right amount of heat and complexity.
- 1 tablespoon olive oil: Used to sear the shrimp and start the sauce with a silky base.
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter: Brings richness and depth to the sauce and sautéed garlic.
- 4 garlic cloves, minced: Fresh and fragrant, giving the sauce vibrant aroma and flavor.
- 3.5 ounces sun-dried tomatoes, chopped and drained: Their intense, tangy sweetness is a signature to the sauce.
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning: A blend of herbs that adds an earthy, aromatic note to the dish.
- 1 tablespoon flour: Thickens the sauce to creamy perfection without heaviness.
- 3/4 cup low-sodium chicken broth: Adds savory depth and helps create the sauce base.
- 1 cup heavy cream: Makes the sauce luxuriously smooth and indulgent.
- 1 tablespoon double-concentrated tomato paste: Reinforces the tomato flavor and enriches the sauce color.
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice: Adds a refreshing brightness that cuts through the creaminess.
- 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped: Provides a fresh, peppery finish to the dish.
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese: Melts into the sauce for savory, aged complexity.
- Chili flakes, for serving: Optional, but a perfect touch for those who love a bit of heat.
How to Make Marry Me Shrimp Pasta Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Ingredients
Start by peeling and deveining the shrimp if needed, then toss them gently with sweet paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. This simple seasoning step ensures the shrimp are packed with flavor before cooking. Meanwhile, mince the garlic, chop the sun-dried tomatoes and fresh basil, and grate the Parmesan cheese. Having everything ready keeps the cooking flow smooth and stress-free.
Step 2: Cook the Pasta
Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add rigatoni or your pasta of choice and cook until al dente—still firm with a slight bite. Be sure to reserve about half a cup of the pasta water before draining; this starchy liquid is liquid gold to adjust the sauce consistency later.
Step 3: Sear the Shrimp
Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned shrimp in a single layer to ensure they sear and develop a beautiful, light crust. Cook for 1 minute on each side just until pink and opaque—you want them tender, not rubbery. Remove the shrimp to a plate and set them aside temporarily.
Step 4: Build the Flavor Base
Lower the heat to medium and add minced garlic to the same skillet, sautéing for about a minute until fragrant. Then stir in the chopped sun-dried tomatoes and Italian seasoning along with a pinch more salt and black pepper. Let them cook gently for another minute to meld those flavors. Next, sprinkle the flour over the mixture and cook for 30 seconds to get rid of the raw taste. This step is vital to creating a silky sauce.
Step 5: Create the Creamy Sauce
Pour in the chicken broth while scraping up any tasty browned bits from the skillet—it all adds wonderful depth. Let this simmer for about 2 minutes to slightly reduce. Then, turn the heat to low and stir in heavy cream, double-concentrated tomato paste, and fresh lemon juice. Simmer gently for 2 to 3 minutes until the sauce thickens to a luscious consistency.
Step 6: Combine Pasta, Shrimp, and Basil
Add the cooked pasta back into the skillet along with the seared shrimp and freshly chopped basil. Toss everything together so the rigatoni gets coated evenly in that rich tomato cream sauce. Finally, sprinkle in the grated Parmesan and stir just until it melts into the sauce. If it feels too thick, splash in some reserved pasta water to reach your desired silky texture.
Step 7: Plate and Garnish
Serve your Marry Me Shrimp Pasta Recipe immediately, garnished with extra Parmesan, torn basil leaves, and a sprinkle of chili flakes if you like an extra kick. This dish is best enjoyed fresh and warm, where all the textures and flavors shine their brightest.
How to Serve Marry Me Shrimp Pasta Recipe
Garnishes
Fresh basil and Parmesan cheese are classic garnishes that boost flavor and visual appeal. Chili flakes offer a beautiful contrast for those who appreciate a bit of heat. A wedge of lemon on the side is also a delightful touch for an extra zing of acidity.
Side Dishes
This pasta pairs beautifully with a crisp green salad lightly dressed with vinaigrette, which offers refreshing crunch and balances the creamy richness. Garlic bread or a crusty baguette is perfect for soaking up any leftover sauce on your plate.
Creative Ways to Present
For a dinner party, serve the pasta in shallow bowls garnished with vibrant basil leaves and Parmesan curls to impress your guests. Offering chili flakes and lemon wedges at the table lets everyone customize their flavor profile. You can also plate the shrimp separately on top for a stunning presentation.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover Marry Me Shrimp Pasta Recipe in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two days. The sauce may thicken overnight, but you can loosen it with a splash of milk or pasta water when reheating.
Freezing
Because this dish features cream and delicate shrimp, freezing is not recommended as it can alter the texture and flavor. It’s best enjoyed fresh or refrigerated and eaten within a couple of days.
Reheating
Reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat with a bit of added cream, broth, or pasta water to prevent the sauce from breaking. Microwave reheating works too, but do it in short bursts, stirring frequently to maintain the creamy consistency.
FAQs
Can I use a different type of pasta for this recipe?
Absolutely! While rigatoni is perfect for holding the sauce, penne, fettuccine, or even spaghetti work wonderfully. Just cook according to package directions and toss as instructed.
Is it okay to substitute shrimp with chicken?
Yes, chicken can be a great alternative. Use bite-sized pieces and adjust cooking time until the chicken is fully cooked and tender.
Can I make this recipe vegetarian?
To make a vegetarian version, skip the shrimp and add hearty vegetables like mushrooms or artichokes. Use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth for the sauce base.
How spicy is the dish? Can I control the heat?
The base recipe is mildly spiced, but adding chili flakes during serving lets you control the heat level to your preference. It’s flexible and easy to adjust.
Can I prepare this dish in advance for a dinner party?
Prep the shrimp, sauce ingredients, and pasta separately ahead of time, but combine them just before serving to ensure the best texture and flavor. The sauce can be reheated gently while the shrimp and pasta are warmed through quickly.
Final Thoughts
The Marry Me Shrimp Pasta Recipe truly lives up to its charming name by delivering a dish so flavorful and satisfying it might just inspire a proposal! Whether you’re cooking for a special someone or simply craving a restaurant-quality meal at home, this recipe offers comfort, elegance, and a burst of delicious textures and colors. Give it a try and get ready to fall in love with your kitchen all over again.
Print
Marry Me Shrimp Pasta Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Description
Marry Me Shrimp Pasta is a creamy, flavorful dish featuring tender shrimp sautéed with sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, and Italian seasoning, all tossed with rigatoni pasta in a rich Parmesan and tomato cream sauce. This elegant yet simple recipe comes together quickly, making it perfect for a romantic dinner or special occasion.
Ingredients
Pasta
- 11 ounces rigatoni (or any pasta of your choice)
Shrimp and Seasoning
- 1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 teaspoon sweet paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
Sauce
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 3.5 ounces sun-dried tomatoes, chopped and drained
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 tablespoon flour
- 3/4 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon double-concentrated tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
To Serve
- Chili flakes, for serving
Instructions
- Prepare the shrimp and aromatics: Peel and devein the shrimp, then toss them with sweet paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Set aside. Mince the garlic, chop the sun-dried tomatoes and basil, and grate the Parmesan cheese.
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the rigatoni according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta and set aside.
- Sear the shrimp: Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the shrimp in a single layer and sear them for about 1 minute per side until cooked through and opaque. Remove the shrimp from the skillet and set aside.
- Sauté garlic and sun-dried tomatoes: Lower the heat to medium and add the minced garlic to the skillet. Sauté for 1 minute until fragrant. Then add the chopped sun-dried tomatoes, Italian seasoning, and the remaining salt and pepper. Cook for another minute to meld the flavors.
- Make the sauce base: Stir in the flour and cook for about 30 seconds to remove the raw flour taste. Deglaze the skillet by pouring in the chicken broth while scraping up any browned bits stuck to the pan. Let it simmer for 2 minutes to thicken slightly.
- Add cream and tomato: Reduce heat to low, then stir in the heavy cream, double-concentrated tomato paste, and lemon juice. Let the sauce simmer gently for 2 to 3 minutes until it thickens just a bit.
- Combine pasta, shrimp, and sauce: Add the cooked pasta, seared shrimp, and chopped basil to the skillet. Toss everything together to coat well with the sauce. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese and allow it to melt into the sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water to loosen it.
- Garnish and serve: Plate the pasta and garnish with extra Parmesan cheese, fresh basil, and a pinch of chili flakes if desired. Serve immediately for the best flavor and texture.
Notes
- Use any pasta shape you like; rigatoni is ideal for holding the creamy sauce.
- For a spicier kick, increase the amount of chili flakes or add fresh chili.
- Ensure shrimp are cooked just until opaque to avoid rubbery texture.
- Reserve some pasta water to adjust sauce consistency as needed.
- For a dairy-free version, substitute heavy cream and butter with coconut cream and vegan butter.
