Description
Creamy Garlic Shrimp is a quick and delicious main course featuring succulent shrimp cooked in a rich garlic Parmesan cream sauce. Perfectly seasoned with a hint of red pepper flakes and brightened with fresh lemon juice and parsley, this dish is ideal for a comforting weeknight dinner served over pasta, rice, or with crusty bread.
Ingredients
Scale
Shrimp
- 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
Cooking Fat
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
Flavorings
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Sauce
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Cook the Shrimp: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the shrimp in a single layer and cook for 1 to 2 minutes on each side until they turn pink and opaque. Remove the shrimp from the skillet and set aside.
- Sauté Garlic: Reduce the skillet heat to medium and add the butter. Once melted, stir in the minced garlic and sauté for about one minute until fragrant but not browned.
- Prepare the Cream Sauce: Pour the heavy cream into the skillet and bring it to a gentle simmer. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese, red pepper flakes if using, salt, and black pepper. Allow the sauce to simmer and thicken slightly for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Combine Shrimp and Sauce: Return the cooked shrimp to the skillet and stir well to coat them evenly with the creamy sauce. Cook for an additional 1 to 2 minutes until the shrimp are heated through and the sauce has thickened to your liking.
- Finish and Serve: Remove the skillet from heat, stir in the lemon juice, and sprinkle with fresh parsley. Serve the creamy garlic shrimp hot, ideally over pasta, rice, mashed potatoes, or accompanied by crusty bread.
Notes
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half.
- Add spinach or sun-dried tomatoes to the sauce for extra color and flavor.
- Be careful not to overcook the shrimp as they cook quickly and can become rubbery.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American, Italian-Inspired
