Creamy Tuscan Shrimp


Introduction

Creamy Tuscan Shrimp is a luxurious, restaurant-style dish featuring succulent shrimp simmered in a rich garlic-parmesan cream sauce with sun-dried tomatoes and fresh spinach. It’s quick to make, packed with flavor, and perfect for serving over pasta, mashed potatoes, or crusty bread. This recipe comes together in under 30 minutes, making it ideal for weeknights but impressive enough for guests.


Ingredients (Serves 4)

For the Shrimp

  • 1 lb (450 g) large shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tbsp butter
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ½ tsp black pepper

For the Tuscan Cream Sauce

  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • ½ cup chicken broth
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes (in oil), drained & chopped
  • 1 cup fresh baby spinach
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • ¼ tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Salt and pepper to taste

To Finish

  • Fresh basil (optional)
  • Extra Parmesan for serving
  • Cooked pasta, rice, or bread

Instructions

1. Season and Cook the Shrimp

  1. Pat the shrimp dry and toss with paprika, salt, and pepper.
  2. Heat the olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
  3. Add the shrimp in a single layer and cook 1–2 minutes per side until pink and opaque.
  4. Remove shrimp from the pan and set aside.

2. Make the Tuscan Sauce

  1. In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium and add the minced garlic. Sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  2. Pour in the chicken broth to deglaze the pan, scraping up brown bits.
  3. Add heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes.
  4. Simmer lightly for 3–5 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.

3. Add Spinach and Shrimp

  1. Stir in the spinach and let it wilt.
  2. Return the cooked shrimp to the pan.
  3. Toss to coat and simmer 1–2 minutes more.
  4. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.

Methods & Tips

Method Notes

  • Searing the shrimp first locks in flavor and prevents them from overcooking in the sauce.
  • Deglazing with broth enriches the sauce and pulls up flavorful bits from the pan.
  • Simmer gently to avoid breaking the cream.

Optional Add-Ins

  • Mushrooms
  • White wine (replace ¼ cup broth)
  • Kale instead of spinach
  • Cherry tomatoes for extra freshness

Serving Suggestions

  • Toss with fettuccine or linguine
  • Serve over fluffy mashed potatoes
  • Spoon onto toasted garlic bread for an appetizer

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