Marry Me Shrimp Pasta

Ingredients

• 13 oz shrimp (peeled & deveined; 12–14 oz used)
• 1.5 tsp oregano (for the shrimp; 1-2 tsp used)
• 1.5 tsp paprika (for the shrimp; 1-2 tsp used)
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• salt (to taste)
• black pepper (to taste)
• chili flakes (to taste)
• 2.5 garlic cloves (minced; 2–3 cloves used)
• 1 shallot (finely chopped)
• 0.33 cup dry white wine
• pasta water (reserved splash)
• 1.5 cup heavy cream
• 1 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 tsp paprika (for the sauce)
• 1 tsp oregano (for the sauce)
• 0.5 cup grated Parmesan
• 0.625 cup sun-dried tomatoes (high-quality, chopped; 0.5–0.75 cup used)
• fresh thyme (optional)
• chili flakes (to taste; optional for sauce)
• 8 oz pasta (pasta of choice; quantity estimated for 2-3 servings)

Steps

1. 1

   Cook your choice of pasta in a pot of salted water until it reaches al dente texture.

2. 2

   Before draining the pasta, reserve a splash of the starchy pasta water. Drain the remaining water and set the pasta aside.

3. 3

   In a bowl, season the peeled and deveined shrimp with oregano, paprika, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and chili flakes.

4. 4

   Heat a pan over high heat. Sear the seasoned shrimp for 1–2 minutes per side until just cooked through. Remove the shrimp from the pan and set aside.

5. 5

   In the same pan, sauté the minced garlic and finely chopped shallot until they are soft and fragrant.

6. 6

   Stir in the tomato paste and cook for about 1 minute to develop the flavor.

7. 7

   Pour in the dry white wine and let it simmer and reduce for 2–3 minutes.

8. 8

   Add the heavy cream, paprika, oregano, chili flakes, fresh thyme (if using), and chopped sun-dried tomatoes to the pan.

9. 9

   Simmer the sauce for a few minutes until it has slightly thickened, then stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until melted.

10. 10

    Add the cooked pasta and the reserved splash of pasta water to the pan. Toss everything together until the sauce is creamy and coats the pasta evenly.

11. 11

    Return the seared shrimp to the pan and toss gently to combine and reheat. Serve immediately.

Notes

The recipe suggests using high-quality sun-dried tomatoes for the best flavor. Ensure you don't overcook the shrimp during the initial sear as they will be returned to the hot sauce at the end.

Nutrition per serving

• main
• dinner
• seafood
• shrimp
• pasta
• creamy
• 30-minute meal
• pan-seared