Print

Creamy One Pot Garlic Tuscan Shrimp Pasta

creamy one pot garlic Tuscan shrimp pasta - featured image
Print Recipe

A quick and easy one-pot pasta dish featuring shrimp, garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, and a creamy Tuscan sauce. Perfect for busy weeknights or dinner parties, this recipe delivers rich flavor with minimal cleanup.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined (wild-caught if possible)
  • 8 oz pasta (penne or rigatoni; gluten-free options like brown rice pasta work too)
  • 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 3–4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup heavy cream or half-and-half
  • ½ cup chicken broth or vegetable broth
  • ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped (packed in oil preferred)
  • 2 cups fresh baby spinach leaves
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning (oregano, basil, thyme blend)
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • Optional: red pepper flakes
  • Optional: fresh basil leaves for garnish
  • Optional: juice of half a lemon

Instructions

  1. Pat the shrimp dry with paper towels and season lightly with salt and pepper. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium-high heat in a large skillet. Add shrimp in a single layer and cook for 2 minutes per side until just opaque and pink. Remove shrimp to a plate and set aside.
  2. Reduce heat to medium and add remaining tablespoon of olive oil. Add minced garlic and chopped sun-dried tomatoes. Stir constantly for about 1 minute until fragrant but not burnt.
  3. Pour in chicken broth and heavy cream (or half-and-half). Bring to a gentle simmer, then add pasta directly to the sauce. Stir to submerge pasta evenly. Cover with a lid and simmer for 12-15 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
  4. When pasta is tender but still slightly firm, stir in fresh spinach leaves and grated Parmesan cheese. The spinach will wilt quickly and the cheese will thicken the sauce. Season with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper to taste.
  5. Return cooked shrimp to the pan and stir gently to coat in the sauce. Let everything warm together for 2-3 minutes to meld flavors. Optionally, squeeze fresh lemon juice over the dish before serving.
  6. Serve the pasta with shrimp and sauce, garnished with fresh basil or a pinch of red pepper flakes if desired.

Notes

Dry shrimp thoroughly before cooking to get a good sear. Stir pasta often while simmering to prevent sticking. Add spinach just as pasta finishes cooking to avoid sogginess. Stir in Parmesan off heat or at the end to keep sauce smooth. If sauce thickens too much, add broth or cream to loosen; if too thin, simmer uncovered to reduce.

Nutrition

Keywords: shrimp pasta, creamy pasta, one pot meal, Tuscan shrimp, garlic pasta, easy dinner, weeknight meal

Find it online: https://realityeats.com/creamy-one-pot-garlic-tuscan-shrimp-pasta-recipe-easy-and-perfect-for-dinner/