Creamy Marry Me Shrimp Pasta: Easy Dinner Idea

Let’s be honest, the question “what’s for dinner?” can sometimes feel like the hardest question of the day. When you’re tired and hungry, you need simple dinner ideas that don’t require a ton of effort but still deliver big on flavor. You want something that feels a little special, even on a Tuesday night.

If that sounds familiar, then I have the perfect recipe for you. You’ve probably heard of the famous Marry Me Chicken. Well, get ready to fall in love all over again with this incredible Marry Me Shrimp Recipe. It takes all the creamy, savory goodness of the original and pairs it with tender, juicy shrimp for a truly unforgettable meal. This is one of those fantastic dinner ideas that your whole family will ask for again and again.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

So, what makes this Creamy Sundried Tomato Shrimp Pasta so special? Oh, let me count the ways. It’s more than just a meal; it’s a weeknight lifesaver.

First off, the ingredients are so simple. You won’t need to visit a specialty store to find anything for this dish. Everything you need is likely waiting at your local grocery store, making it a stress free option for your weekly meal plan.

It is also incredibly easy to make. We’re talking about a dish that comes together in one pan in just a few minutes. Less time cooking means less time cleaning, and who doesn’t love that? It’s a perfect choice for busy parents or anyone who wants a tasty meal without the fuss.

The sauce is absolutely dreamy. It is a rich and creamy tomato sauce made with heavy cream and parmesan cheese that coats every single piece of pasta. The sundried tomatoes add a sweet and tangy flavor that is just so comforting and delicious.

Finally, this is a perfect family dinner. This recipe serves four to six people, so it’s great for feeding the whole crew. It feels fancy enough for a special occasion but is quick enough for any night of the week. It’s one of my favorite go to dinner ideas for a reason.

Ingredients

The magic of this Shrimp Marry Me Pasta comes from a handful of simple yet powerful ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need to create this amazing dish.

For the Shrimp

1 lb extra large shrimp, peeled and deveined
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
2 tablespoons oil from a jar of sun dried tomatoes

For the Sauce and Pasta

12 oz gluten free penne pasta (or your favorite short pasta)
2 tablespoons butter
1 small onion, finely chopped
4 cloves garlic, minced
1/3 cup sun dried tomatoes, chopped
1 tablespoon tomato paste
2 tablespoons gluten free all purpose flour
1 cup vegetable broth
1 cup heavy cream
2 cups fresh spinach
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Fresh basil for garnish

Step By Step Instructions

Ready to see how easy this Creamy Marry Me Shrimp Pasta is to make? Let’s walk through it together. You’ll be amazed at how quickly this comes together. If you’ve ever wanted to know how to make seafood Marry Me pasta, this is your moment.

Step 1: Cook the Pasta

First things first, let’s get that pasta cooking. Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add your pasta and cook it according to the package directions, but aim for al dente. This usually means cooking it for a minute or two less than the box says. The pasta will finish cooking in the sauce later.

Step 2: Season and Cook the Shrimp

While the pasta is boiling, it’s time to prepare the star of the show, the Marry Me Shrimp. In a medium bowl, toss the peeled and deveined shrimp with the smoked paprika, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Make sure each shrimp is evenly coated with all that wonderful seasoning.

Heat the sun dried tomato oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Once the oil is shimmering, add the shrimp in a single layer. Cook for about 2 minutes per side. You’re looking for them to turn pink and opaque. They should form a gentle C shape. Set the cooked shrimp aside on a plate.

Step 3: Build the Flavorful Sauce Base

Now for that incredible sauce. In the same skillet you used for the shrimp, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until it’s soft and translucent, which usually takes about 3 to 4 minutes. Then, stir in the minced garlic, chopped sun dried tomatoes, and tomato paste. Cook for another minute until everything is wonderfully fragrant. Your kitchen will start to smell amazing right about now.

Step 4: Create the Creamy Sauce

Sprinkle the gluten free flour over the onion and tomato mixture. Stir it constantly for about a minute to cook out the raw flour taste. This little step is what will help thicken our sauce beautifully. Slowly pour in the vegetable broth while stirring to combine everything smoothly. Then, pour in the heavy cream.

Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer and let it cook for a few minutes until it starts to thicken. Add the fresh spinach and stir until it begins to wilt into the sauce. Finally, stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until it’s completely melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy. This is the heart of our Creamy Shrimp Pasta With Sundried Tomatoes.

Step 5: Combine and Serve

Drain your cooked pasta and add it directly to the skillet with the sauce. Gently stir everything together until the pasta is fully coated in that luscious sauce. Now, add the cooked shrimp back into the pan. Give it one more gentle stir to combine.

Serve your beautiful Marry Me Pasta Shrimp immediately. Garnish with some fresh basil for a pop of color and fresh flavor. This is one of those dinner ideas that looks as good as it tastes.

How To Store Leftovers

If you happen to have any leftovers, which is a big if, you can store them easily. Let the pasta cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. It will keep well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

When you’re ready to reheat, I recommend doing it gently on the stovetop. Place the pasta in a skillet over medium low heat. You might want to add a splash of milk or vegetable broth to loosen the sauce up a bit as it reheats. This helps keep it creamy and prevents it from becoming oily.

Tips

Want to make your Marry Me Chicken And Shrimp Pasta absolutely perfect every time? Here are a few of my favorite tips to ensure success.

Don’t overcook the shrimp. This is the number one rule. Perfectly cooked shrimp are tender and C shaped. If they curl up into a tight O shape, they’ve been cooked too long and will be rubbery. Watch them closely as they cook very quickly.

Cook the pasta to al dente. Since the pasta will continue to cook a bit more when you add it to the hot sauce, pulling it from the water when it still has a slight bite is key. This prevents it from becoming mushy in the final dish.

Use oil packed sun dried tomatoes. The oil they are packed in is infused with so much flavor. Using that oil to cook the shrimp adds an extra layer of deliciousness to the entire dish. It’s a simple trick that makes a big difference.

Feel free to add a little heat. If you like things spicy, a pinch of red pepper flakes added with the garlic and onions will give this dish a nice kick. It’s a great way to customize the flavor to your liking.

Conclusion

And there you have it. A truly spectacular yet simple pasta dish that is sure to become a new favorite in your home. This Marry Me Shrimp recipe is one of the best dinner ideas for when you want something comforting, fast, and full of flavor. It’s proof that you don’t need a lot of time or complicated ingredients to make a memorable meal.

So the next time you’re stuck for dinner ideas, I hope you’ll give this Creamy Sundried Tomato Shrimp Pasta a try. It’s a joy to cook and even more of a joy to eat. I’m confident it will earn a permanent spot in your recipe rotation. Happy cooking!

FAQ

How Do You Choose Fresh Shrimp?

When buying fresh shrimp, look for ones that are bright in color, either pink or gray, and slightly transparent. They should feel firm to the touch. Most importantly, they should have a clean, saltwater smell. If they have any hint of a fishy or ammonia like odor, it’s best to avoid them.

How Do You Know When Shrimp Are Done?

The best visual cue is the shape and color. Perfectly cooked shrimp will be pink and opaque and will have curled into a loose C shape. If they form a tight O shape, they are overcooked. For absolute certainty, an instant read thermometer is a great tool. The internal temperature of cooked shrimp should be 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

How Do You Avoid Mushy Pasta in Sauce?

The key is to cook your pasta just until al dente, which means it still has a slight bite. Check the package instructions and pull the pasta from the boiling water a minute or two early. It will absorb some of the sauce and finish cooking to perfection once you combine everything, without ever becoming mushy.

What Can I Serve With This Pasta?

This Marry Me Shrimp Recipe is a wonderful standalone meal, but it also pairs beautifully with a few simple sides. A crisp green salad with a light vinaigrette is a great way to add some freshness. You also can’t go wrong with some crusty garlic bread for soaking up every last bit of that delicious creamy sauce.