Creamy Garlic Shrimp with Sundried Tomatoes

Creamy Garlic Shrimp – This easy, quick, and nutritious meal includes extra-jumbo shrimp with sun-dried tomatoes, all coated in a rich and flavorful garlic mozzarella cream sauce. All you need is about 25 minutes to whip up this creamy garlic shrimp recipe. The use of fennel seeds turns this shrimp pasta from great to awesome, bringing a depth of flavor that will ravish your tastebuds. This quick shrimp dish will become your new favorite way to cook shrimp. Enjoy!

Photo credit: © Eatwell101.com

Ingredients list for the creamy shrimp pasta

• 1 pound (450g) shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/4 teaspoon salt and cracked black pepper
• 4 oz (120g) chopped sun-dried tomatoes, drained from oil – keep 2 tablespoons oil reserved
• 1 cup (240ml) half-and-half (or whipping cream)
• 1/2 cup (60ml) vegetable or chicken broth
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella (or parmesan)
• 1 tablespoon dried basil
• 1 teaspoon crushed fennel seeds, optional
• 1/4 teaspoon red chili pepper flakes
• 1/8 teaspoon paprika
• 1 tablespoon grated parmesan, for garnish

Photo credit: © Eatwell101.com

Photo credit: © Eatwell101.com

Photo credit: © Eatwell101.com

Photo credit: © Eatwell101.com

Photo credit: © Eatwell101.com

Photo credit: © Eatwell101.com

Directions

1. To make the creamy shrimp: Cook pasta according to package instructions. Reserve some cooked pasta water, drain the pasta, and reserve for later.

2. In the meantime, heat 2 tablespoons of the reserved sun-dried tomato oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add shrimp on one layer and cook on each side for about 1 minute each, until shrimp turns pink on both sides, season shrimp with salt while cooking. Remove the shrimp to a plate.

3. To the same skillet, add sun-dried tomatoes and minced garlic. Saute sun-dried tomatoes in oil remaining from shrimp on medium heat, stirring, for 1 minute until the garlic is fragrant. Add the broth and half and half to the skillet and bring to a simmer. Add shredded mozzarella and continue cooking the sauce on low simmer heat, constantly stirring, until all the cheese melts and the creamy sauce forms. If the sauce is too thick, add a small amount of half-and-half or reserved cooked pasta water.

4. Add dried basil, crushed fennel seeds, crushed red pepper flakes, paprika, onion powder and stir well. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.

5. Stir the cooked shrimp into the sauce. If the sauce gets too thick, add a small amount of half-and-half or broth. Let everything simmer on low for a couple of minutes for flavors to combine. Garnish with grated parmesan if you like, and serve the creamy garlic shrimp immediately over rice, pasta, bulgur, or cauliflower rice. Enjoy!

Photo credit: © Eatwell101.com

Tips for the shrimp recipe

This creamy shrimp recipe is better made with extra-large shrimps, in a delicious garlic cream sauce, ready in under 30 minutes. It is nourishing, super easy to make, and packed with flavor! For a gluten-free version, serve over gluten-free brown rice pasta – just cook the pasta according to the directions on the package. For a low-carb or keto alternative, serve over cauliflower rice or steamed veggies.

How to cook the shrimp

• Frozen shrimp is okay for this recipe but try as much as possible to buy wild-caught shrimp. Fresh wild-caught shrimp tends to have better flavor. You can use the shrimp with the tails on or off.
• Make sure you’re using a large skillet (at least 10- inches) because you’re going to need room for all the pasta.
• Make sure not to crowd the shrimp in the skillet, otherwise, moisture will form and shrimp won’t sear properly. You’ll end up with steamed rubbery shrimp. Also, don’t overcook shrimp at the beginning, they will dry up otherwise.

What to serve with the creamy shrimp

As said before, rice and pasta are traditional pairings, while cauliflower rice or steamed veggies will be perfect for a low-carb or keto diet. You can also serve the creamy shrimp pasta with a side of garlic bread or keto bread, and a fresh green salad. A generous dash of high-quality olive oil is also a plus, but it’s optional.

Interesting pasta recipes you might enjoy

• Tomato Spinach Shrimp Pasta
• Instant Pot Pasta Soup with Shrimp
• 20-Minute Sausage Pasta Skillet
• Parmesan Spinach Mushroom Pasta Skillet

Photo credit: © Eatwell101.com