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Creamy Tuscan Shrimp Pasta Recipe Easy Homemade Dinner with Spinach and Sun-Dried Tomatoes

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A quick and flavorful creamy Tuscan shrimp pasta with spinach and sun-dried tomatoes, perfect for cozy weeknight dinners. This dish features a velvety sauce made with cream cheese and Parmesan that clings to tender shrimp and pasta.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 16 ounces large shrimp, peeled and deveined (fresh or thawed frozen)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil (extra virgin recommended)
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1/3 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped (packed in oil, drained)
  • 4 cups fresh baby spinach (about 120 grams)
  • 1 cup heavy cream (240 ml)
  • 4 ounces cream cheese, softened (115 grams)
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese (50 grams)
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 12 ounces fettuccine or linguine pasta (340 grams)

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 ounces of fettuccine or linguine and cook according to package instructions until al dente, usually 9-11 minutes. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
  2. While pasta cooks, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add shrimp in a single layer and cook 2 minutes per side until pink and opaque, about 4 minutes total. Remove shrimp and set aside.
  3. Reduce heat to medium. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. Stir in chopped sun-dried tomatoes and cook for another minute.
  4. Lower heat to medium-low. Add 1 cup heavy cream and 4 ounces softened cream cheese to the skillet. Stir constantly until cream cheese melts and mixture is smooth, about 3-4 minutes.
  5. Stir in 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese and 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Add reserved pasta water a few tablespoons at a time if sauce is too thick.
  6. Add 4 cups fresh baby spinach to the sauce. Stir until wilted, about 2 minutes. Return cooked shrimp to the skillet and toss gently to coat.
  7. Add drained pasta directly to the skillet. Toss everything together over low heat for 1-2 minutes to combine flavors. Adjust seasoning if needed.
  8. Serve immediately, optionally garnished with extra Parmesan and freshly cracked black pepper.

Notes

Keep shrimp dry before cooking to get a good sear and avoid steaming. Soften cream cheese before adding to avoid lumps. Use reserved pasta water to adjust sauce consistency. Do not overcook shrimp; they turn pink and firm quickly. Wilt spinach just until bright green to avoid mushiness. For dairy-free, substitute coconut cream for heavy cream and omit cream cheese; use nutritional yeast instead of Parmesan. For gluten-free, use gluten-free pasta or zucchini noodles.

Nutrition

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

Find it online: https://cheerycrisp.com/creamy-tuscan-shrimp-pasta-recipe-easy-homemade-dinner-with-spinach-and-sun-dried-tomatoes/