A creamy, savory one-pan pasta loaded with tender shrimp, garlic, Parmesan cheese, and perfectly cooked pasta. This Garlic Parmesan Shrimp Seafood Pasta Skillet makes an easy weeknight dinner that feels like restaurant-style comfort food.
Ingredients
- 12 oz (340 g) linguine, spaghetti, or fettuccine
- 1 lb (450 g) large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3 tbsp butter
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup chicken or seafood broth
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp paprika
- ¼ tsp red pepper flakes, optional
- ½ tsp salt, or to taste
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 1 cup baby spinach, optional
- ½ cup cherry tomatoes, halved, optional
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
Instructions
1. Cook the Pasta
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to the package directions until al dente.
Before draining, reserve about ½ cup of the pasta water. Drain the pasta and set aside.
2. Season and Cook the Shrimp
Pat the shrimp dry with paper towels. Season with paprika, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper.
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the shrimp in a single layer and cook for about 2 minutes per side, or until pink and opaque.
Transfer the shrimp to a plate. Avoid overcooking them, since they will be added back to the sauce later.
3. Make the Garlic Parmesan Sauce
Reduce the heat to medium and add the butter to the same skillet.
Add the chopped onion and cook for 2–3 minutes until softened. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds, just until fragrant.
Pour in the broth and heavy cream. Stir well, scraping up any flavorful browned bits from the bottom of the skillet.
Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer and cook for 3–4 minutes.
4. Add the Parmesan
Lower the heat and gradually stir in the grated Parmesan cheese.
Continue stirring until the cheese melts and the sauce becomes smooth and creamy.
If the sauce becomes too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water until you reach your preferred consistency.
5. Combine Everything
Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss until thoroughly coated in the creamy garlic Parmesan sauce.
Stir in the spinach and cherry tomatoes if using. Cook for another 1–2 minutes until the spinach wilts.
Return the cooked shrimp to the skillet and gently toss everything together.
6. Finish and Serve
Add fresh lemon juice and sprinkle with chopped parsley.
Taste and adjust the salt, pepper, or Parmesan as needed.
Serve immediately with extra Parmesan on top.
Tips for the Best Garlic Parmesan Shrimp Pasta
- Use freshly grated Parmesan: It melts much more smoothly than pre-shredded cheese.
- Don’t overcook the shrimp: Shrimp only need a few minutes and can become rubbery if cooked too long.
- Save pasta water: The starchy water is excellent for loosening and thickening the sauce.
- Add more seafood: Scallops, crab meat, or cooked lobster can be added for a more luxurious seafood skillet.
- For extra garlic flavor: Add another clove or two of freshly minced garlic.
- For a spicy version: Increase the red pepper flakes or add a pinch of cayenne.
What to Serve With It
This creamy shrimp pasta pairs beautifully with:
- Garlic bread
- Crusty French bread
- Caesar salad
- Steamed broccoli
- Roasted asparagus
- Simple green salad
Storage
Allow leftovers to cool before transferring them to an airtight container. Refrigerate for up to 3 days.
When reheating, add a splash of milk, cream, or broth and warm gently over low to medium heat. This helps bring the creamy sauce back to life without drying out the pasta.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Servings: 4
Category: Dinner
Cuisine: Italian-American