Creamy Garlic Shrimp Pasta

Creamy Garlic Shrimp Pasta is a delicious pasta dish that comes together in no time. Easy and flavorful pasta made with fresh plump shrimp and a creamy yet light sauce. This recipe comes together in less than 20 minutes. Perfect weeknight meal!

Creamy Garlic Shrimp Pasta

This Creamy Garlic Shrimp Pasta is so flavorful and so easy to make. It has quickly become our favorite pasta dish in my house. It’s creamy and indulgent yet light and healthy. Made with cashew milk to give it that creamy texture without having to use heavy cream. Fresh and plump shrimp tossed in this velvety sauce along with some perfectly cooked pasta. This recipe comes together in less than 20 minutes. Making it the perfect weeknight meal!

Ingredients needed to make Creamy Garlic Shrimp Pasta:

• Shrimp– Medium-large shrimp that has been peeled and deveined.
• Unsalted Butter– I prefer using unsalted butter because I like controlling the amount of salt that goes in my food. You can use salted butter too if that’s what you have. Just be mindful when adding salt to the dish that you don’t add too much making it too salty.
• Spices– Pink sea salt, black pepper, and paprika.
• Cashew Milk– Makes this dish super creamy without having to use heavy cream.
• Garlic– Adds so much flavor. I you don’t like garlic you can use shallots instead.
• Parmesan Cheese– Adds to the creaminess of the dish.
• Linguine Pasta– I use gluten-free pasta but you can use traditional. You can also use other thin pasta such as angel hair or capellini.
• Fresh Parsley– For garnish.

Equipment needed to make Creamy Garlic Shrimp Pasta:

• Large Pot– To cook pasta in.
• Strainer– To drain pasta once it has cooked through.
• Skillet– Use a non-stick skillet that is at least 12 inches.
• Large Mixing Bowls– For prepping shrimp and for keeping cooked shrimp in while sauce is made.

How to make Creamy Garlic Shrimp Pasta:

• Step 1– Start filling up a large pot with water. Bring to a boil and stir in salt. Add in your linguini pasta. Cook pasta according to package instructions. Make sure to reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water Drain pasta and set aside. 
• Step 2– Add your shrimp to a large mixing bowl. Sprinkle with pink sea salt, black pepper and paprika. Give it a good toss making sure shrimp is well coated with spices. 

• Step 3– Place a large skillet on stovetop and set to medium-high heat. Add in butter allowing to heat up. Once butter has melted, start placing your prepped shrimp on it. You will most likely have to cook shrimp in batches. Cook shrimp for 1-2 minutes. Then flip and cook for about 1-2 minutes on the other side. Repeat until all shrimp have been cooked through. Keep shrimp in a separate bowl or plate and set side. 

• Step 4– To the same skillet, add the other two tablespoons of butter and melt. Add in minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute. Stir arrowroot flour with cashew milk and pour into skillet. Stir to deglaze skillet. 
• Step 5– Sprinkle in pink sea salt, black pepper, and paprika and stir to combine. Add in parmesan cheese and stir. Once cheese has melted into sauce. add in your reserved pasta water and combine. 

• Step 6– Toss in cooked pasta making sure it is well coated with sauce. Add in your shrimp and turn heat to low. Keep skillet on stove for another couple of minutes to allow shrimp to heat up a bit. 
• Step 7– Remove skillet from stove and serve pasta immediately. Garnish with fresh parsley and more parmesan cheese if desired. Enjoy!

Tips and Substitutions:

1. Cook the pasta until just al dente– You want your pasta cooked just at the point where it’s al dente. You don’t want it to overcook because then it will get too mushy once combined with sauce and shrimp.
2. Do not overcook shrimp– Shrimp cooks pretty fast and overcooked shrimp will get a dry and rubbery texture. Cook it for no more than 1-2 minutes per side. As it will continue to heat up some more once combined with sauce and pasta.
3. Don’t forget to reserve some pasta cooking water– All that reserved starchy pasta water will help the sauce thicken and get creamier.
4. Salt your pasta water– You must add salt to the water you will be boiling your pasta in. It adds flavor to both the pasta and sauce once the reserved water is added to it. Just make sure you add salt to the water after the water starts boiling. If you added the salt before, the water will take longer to boil.
5. Substitute for cashew milk– You can use any other plant-based milk such as almond milk. You can also use heavy cream if you prefer.
6. Substitute for arrowroot flour– Use tapioca flour or cornstarch. These will also keep the sauce gluten-free.

Variations:

1. Make it spicy– Add some red pepper flakes or cajun seasoning to add some kick.
2. Make with chicken– If you don’t like shrimp, are allergic or don’t have any, you can make this pasta with chicken too. You can use boneless and skinless chicken breasts or thighs.
3. Switch up your pasta– Use other kinds of pastas such as angel hair or capellini.

How to serve Creamy Garlic Shrimp Pasta:

This Creamy Garlic Shrimp Pasta is a pretty filling, satisfying, and hearty meal all on its own. You can always serve it with some garlic bread, a side salad, or steamed broccoli on the side.

What to serve Creamy Garlic Shrimp Pasta:

• Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts
• Honey-Ginger Roasted Carrots
• Garlic Butter Sautéed Mushrooms
• Grilled Summer Veggies

Creamy Garlic Shrimp Pasta FAQ’s:

Can I use frozen shrimp?

Yes. You can use frozen shrimp. I would suggest thawing the shrimp put before cooking though. Cooking it while still frozen will create too much moisture.

How do I know my shrimp is done?

You know shrimp is done when it starts to turn pink and opaque. Shrimp Cooks pretty fast and usually only takes 1-2 minutes for it to cook per side.

Should I leave the tails on or remove them? 

You can either choose to leave the tails on or remove them. Either way the pasta will be just as good. It is said that leaving the tails on gives more flavor. While taking them off makes it more convenient when eating. I always used to leave the tails on whenever I cooked shrimp. Now that I have kids, I take them off most of the time since I will have to take them off for them anyway.

What other ingredients can be added to this easy pasta recipe? 

This shrimp pasta recipe is delicious as is. However, I do like garnishing it with more freshly grated parmesan cheese and fresh parsley. I also like to sometimes squeeze a bit of lemon juice and garnish it with a lemon wedge. Topping it with some red pepper flakes adds more flavor and a nice kick to this dish. You can also add some cherry tomatoes for more flavor and a pop of color.

How to store and reheat Creamy Garlic Shrimp Pasta:

This creamy garlic shrimp pasta is better served immediately while still warm. If you have some leftover pasta, place it in an airtight container. Keep refrigerated for a day or two. Reheat in microwave or back on stovetop.

Did you like this Creamy Garlic Shrimp Pasta recipe? You may also like these other pasta recipes:

• Seafood Scampi with Pasta
• Sausage and Peppers Pasta
• Chicken Pesto Pasta

Do you love shrimp as much as we do? Check these other shrimp recipes out:

• Air Fryer Shrimp Fajitas
• Shrimp Salsa
• Shrimp Fried Rice
• Shrimp Fajitas (Stovetop)
• Shrimp Skewers with Avocado Mango Salsa

Print

Creamy Garlic Shrimp Pasta

Creamy Garlic Shrimp Pasta is a delicious pasta dish that comes together in no time. Easy and flavorful pasta made with fresh plump shrimp and a creamy yet light sauce. This recipe comes together in less than 20 minutes. Perfect weeknight meal!

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Keyword Creamy Garlic Shrimp Pasta

Prep Time 5 minutes

Cook Time 12 minutes

Total Time 17 minutes

Servings 6 servings

Calories 434 kcal

Author Angelica Arias

Ingredients

For Shrimp:

• 1 lb shrimp (peeled and deveined)
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1 tsp pink sea salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter

For Creamy Garlic Sauce and Pasta:

• 2 tbsp unsalted butter
• 5 cloves of garlic minced
• 1.5 cups cashew milk (unsweetened)
• 2 tbsp arrowroot flour
• 1/2 tsp pink sea salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1 cup grated parmesan cheese
• 1/2 cup reserved pasta water
• 12 oz gluten-free linguine pasta
• chopped fresh parsley and more parmesan for garnish

Instructions

1. Start filling up a large pot with water. Bring to a boil and stir in salt. Add in your linguini pasta. Cook pasta according to package instructions. Make sure to reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water Drain pasta and set aside.

2. Add your shrimp to a large mixing bowl. Sprinkle with pink sea salt, black pepper and paprika. Give it a good toss making sure shrimp is well coated with spices.

3. Place a large skillet on stovetop and set to medium-high heat. Add in butter allowing to heat up. Once butter has melted, start placing your prepped shrimp on it. You will most likely have to cook shrimp in batches. Cook shrimp for 1-2 minutes. Then flip and cook for about 1-2 minutes on the other side. Repeat until all shrimp have been cooked through. Keep shrimp in a separate bowl or plate and set side.

4. To the same skillet, add the other two tablespoons of butter and melt. Add in minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute. Stir arrowroot flour with cashew milk and pour into skillet. Stir to deglaze skillet.

5. Sprinkle in pink sea salt, black pepper, and paprika and stir to combine. Add in parmesan cheese and stir. Once cheese has melted into sauce. add in your reserved pasta water and combine.

6. Toss in cooked pasta making sure it is well coated with sauce. Add in your shrimp and turn heat to low. Keep skillet on stove for another couple of minutes to allow shrimp to heat up a bit.

7. Remove skillet from stove and serve pasta immediately. Garnish with fresh parsley and more parmesan cheese if desired. Enjoy!

Recipe Notes

Tips and Substitutions:

1. 1. Cook the pasta until just al dente– You want your pasta cooked just at the point where it’s al dente. You don’t want it to overcook because then it will get too mushy once combined with sauce and shrimp.
   2. Do not overcook shrimp– Shrimp cooks pretty fast and overcooked shrimp will get a dry and rubbery texture. Cook it for no more than 1-2 minutes per side. As it will continue to heat up some more once combined with sauce and pasta.
   3. Don’t forget to reserve some pasta cooking water– All that reserved starchy pasta water will help the sauce thicken and get creamier.
   4. Salt your pasta water– You must add salt to the water you will be boiling your pasta in. It adds flavor to both the pasta and sauce once the reserved water is added to it. Just make sure you add salt to the water after the water starts boiling. If you added the salt before, the water will take longer to boil.
   5. Substitute for cashew milk– You can use any other plant-based milk such as almond milk. You can also use heavy cream if you prefer.
   6. Substitute for arrowroot flour– Use tapioca flour or cornstarch. These will also keep the sauce gluten-free.

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Nutrition Facts

Creamy Garlic Shrimp Pasta

Amount per Serving

Calories

434

% Daily Value*

Fat

 

14

g

22

%

Saturated Fat

 

8

g

50

%

Trans Fat

 

0.3

g

Polyunsaturated Fat

 

1

g

Monounsaturated Fat

 

3

g

Cholesterol

 

156

mg

52

%

Sodium

 

1009

mg

44

%

Potassium

 

388

mg

11

%

Carbohydrates

 

48

g

16

%

Fiber

 

2

g

8

%

Sugar

 

2

g

2

%

Protein

 

28

g

56

%

Vitamin A

 

707

IU

14

%

Vitamin C

 

1

mg

1

%

Calcium

 

219

mg

22

%

Iron

 

1

mg

6

%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

*Number of total servings in estimated. Actual number of servings may vary depending on your own personal preference in portion sizes.

**Nutritional values shown are general guidelines for 1 serving using the ingredients listed above. These numbers do not reflect and may vary depending on substitutions, additions and/or different brands and/or other ingredients that may be used. 

**Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links and sponsored content. All the opinions are my own and I only recommend products I use in my own home with my own family.