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Creamy Marry Me Shrimp Recipe Easy Sun-Dried Tomatoes Spinach Dinner

creamy marry me shrimp - featured image

A creamy, tangy shrimp dish with sun-dried tomatoes and fresh spinach, perfect for quick weeknight dinners or impressing guests with minimal effort.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound (450g) large shrimp, peeled and deveined (fresh or thawed frozen works best)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped (packed in oil)
  • 4 cups fresh baby spinach (about 120g), washed and drained
  • 1 cup (240ml) heavy cream
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese (about 50g)
  • ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Fresh basil or parsley for garnish (optional)

Instructions

  1. Rinse 1 pound (450g) of large shrimp under cold water and pat dry with paper towels. Season lightly with salt and pepper.
  2. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 3 minced garlic cloves and cook for about 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
  3. Add the shrimp to the skillet in a single layer. Cook for 2-3 minutes on each side until they turn pink and opaque. Remove shrimp and set aside on a plate.
  4. In the same skillet, add ½ cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes (packed in oil). Stir for 1-2 minutes to release their rich flavor into the oil.
  5. Pour in 1 cup (240ml) heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer. Reduce heat to low and stir in ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese, 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, and ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes. Let it thicken slightly for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  6. Add 4 cups fresh baby spinach (about 120g) to the skillet. Stir until wilted, about 2 minutes.
  7. Nestle the cooked shrimp back into the sauce. Drizzle 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice over everything, stir gently, and heat through for another minute.
  8. Taste the sauce and add salt and pepper as needed. If it feels too thick, splash in a little water or broth to loosen it up.
  9. Serve immediately, garnished with fresh basil or parsley if desired.

Notes

Do not overcrowd the pan to ensure shrimp sear properly. Use medium heat to prevent cream from curdling. Fresh garlic and freshly grated Parmesan cheese improve flavor. Let the dish rest off heat for a minute before serving to thicken the sauce. For dairy-free, substitute heavy cream with coconut cream and Parmesan with nutritional yeast. Reheat leftovers gently with a splash of water or broth to avoid sauce separation.

Nutrition

Keywords: shrimp recipe, creamy shrimp, sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, easy dinner, weeknight meal, seafood, creamy sauce