The Ultimate Comfort Food: Easy Shrimp Pasta with Garlic Cream Sauce, Tomatoes, and Spinach

Indulge in a deliciously rich and creamy experience with this incredibly easy Shrimp Pasta, featuring a decadent garlic cream sauce, vibrant tomatoes, and tender spinach. It’s the quintessential comfort food, perfected for any weeknight or special occasion.

Looking for that perfect meal that brings warmth and satisfaction to your soul? This Shrimp Pasta with Garlic Cream Sauce, Tomatoes, and Spinach is exactly what you need. It’s a dish that effortlessly combines elegance with the heartwarming familiarity of comfort food, making it ideal for a special gathering, like Mother’s Day dinner, or simply a treat for yourself after a long week. Forget complicated recipes; this dish is designed for ease without compromising on incredible flavor.

Growing up, some of my fondest memories revolve around comforting meals shared with family. This recipe actually comes to you courtesy of my son, Sean, who has a knack for whipping up impressive dinners. He once sent me a photo of a pasta dish with a garlic cream sauce that looked so good, I knew I had to recreate it and share it with everyone. I decided to elevate it with succulent shrimp, fresh grape tomatoes, and tender spinach, transforming it into a hearty, well-rounded meal. A touch of blackening spice on the shrimp adds an irresistible zesty kick that truly sets this dish apart.

Why You’ll Absolutely Love This Recipe

This isn’t just another pasta dish; it’s an experience. Here’s why this Shrimp Pasta will quickly become a favorite in your culinary repertoire:

Decadent Garlic Cream Sauce: The heart of this dish is its sauce – unbelievably creamy, smooth, and infused with rich garlic flavor. It’s the kind of sauce that coats every strand of pasta and leaves you wanting more.
Bursting with Zesty Flavor: The secret weapon here is a hint of blackening spice on the shrimp. It adds a vibrant, savory depth that perfectly complements the creamy sauce without overpowering it.
Quick and Easy Preparation: Despite its gourmet taste, this recipe comes together in under 30 minutes. It’s perfect for busy weeknights when you crave something special but don’t have hours to spend in the kitchen.
Nutrient-Packed Goodness: With lean protein from shrimp, essential vitamins from fresh spinach and tomatoes, and the satisfying energy of pasta, this dish is both delicious and wholesome.
Impressive Yet Effortless: Whether you’re cooking for a date night, a family dinner, or entertaining guests, this shrimp pasta looks and tastes like it took hours to prepare, yet it’s surprisingly simple.
Versatile and Customizable: This recipe serves as an excellent base. Easily swap out ingredients to suit your preferences or what you have on hand.

Essential Ingredients for the Perfect Dish

Gathering your ingredients is the first step to culinary success. Here’s what you’ll need to create this amazing shrimp pasta:

Shrimp: One pound of large shrimp, peeled and deveined. You can leave the tails on for a fancier presentation or remove them for easier eating. Fresh is always best, but good quality frozen shrimp, thawed properly, works perfectly too.
Blackening Spice: This spice blend provides a fantastic depth of flavor. If you don’t have it, a mix of paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, and dried thyme can work as a substitute.
Olive Oil: For sautéing the shrimp and building the foundation of flavor.
Cavatelli Pasta: Or any medium-sized pasta with nooks and crannies like penne, orecchiette, or shell pasta. These shapes are excellent at holding onto the rich cream sauce.
Unsalted Butter: The base for our luxurious cream sauce. Using unsalted butter allows you to control the overall saltiness of the dish.
Fresh Garlic: Three large cloves, minced. Don’t skimp on the garlic – it’s key to the sauce’s incredible aroma and taste.
All-Purpose Flour: A small amount to create a roux, which will help thicken the cream sauce to perfection.
Low-Sodium Chicken Broth: This adds a savory background to the sauce without making it overly salty. Vegetable broth can be used as an alternative.
Heavy Cream: The star of the cream sauce, providing that irresistibly smooth and rich texture.
Grape Tomatoes: One pint, halved. These burst with sweet and tangy flavor, adding freshness and color. Cherry tomatoes also work beautifully.
Parmesan Cheese: About 1/3 cup, freshly grated, plus extra for serving. Freshly grated Parmesan melts better and offers a superior flavor compared to pre-shredded varieties.
Italian Seasoning: A blend of dried herbs that enhances the Mediterranean profile of the dish.
Kosher Salt and Freshly Ground Black Pepper: To season the dish to your preference. Remember to taste and adjust as you go.
Baby Spinach Leaves: Three cups, packed and stems trimmed. Spinach wilts quickly into the warm pasta, adding a lovely green hue and a dose of nutrients.

Step-by-Step Cooking Guide: Crafting Your Creamy Shrimp Pasta

Creating this flavorful pasta dish is surprisingly simple. Follow these steps for a perfect meal every time:

1. Prepare and Cook the Shrimp

In a medium bowl, gently toss your peeled and deveined shrimp with the blackening spice until each piece is evenly coated. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the seasoned shrimp to the skillet. Cook for approximately 3 minutes, flipping them halfway through, until they turn pink and opaque. Be careful not to overcook the shrimp, as they can become tough. Once cooked, remove the shrimp from the skillet and set them aside. We’ll add them back in at the end to keep them tender.

2. Cook the Pasta

Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add your cavatelli pasta (or your chosen pasta shape) and cook according to package directions until it’s al dente – meaning it’s cooked through but still has a slight bite. Before draining, reserve about half a cup of the pasta cooking water. This starchy water is a fantastic secret weapon for adjusting the consistency of your sauce later, if needed. Drain the pasta and set aside.

3. Craft the Luxurious Garlic Cream Sauce

While your pasta is cooking, you can begin the sauce in the same skillet you used for the shrimp (no need to clean it – those browned bits add extra flavor!). Melt the butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic, as it can turn bitter.

Next, whisk in the all-purpose flour. Cook for an additional minute, stirring continuously, to create a roux. This will help thicken your sauce. Gradually whisk in the low-sodium chicken broth until the mixture is smooth and lump-free. Pour in the heavy cream and add the halved grape tomatoes. Continue whisking gently until the sauce begins to thicken to your desired consistency. Finally, stir in the Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Whisk until all ingredients are well combined and the cheese has melted into the sauce. Remove the skillet from the heat.

4. Combine and Serve

Now for the grand finale! Return the cooked shrimp to the skillet with the creamy sauce. Add the drained pasta and the fresh baby spinach leaves. Toss everything together gently using tongs or a large spoon. Continue tossing until the spinach leaves have beautifully wilted into the warm pasta and sauce, and all ingredients are thoroughly heated through and coated. Serve immediately, garnished with extra freshly grated Parmesan cheese and a sprinkle of fresh parsley, if desired. Enjoy the rich, comforting flavors!

Tips for Success and Customization

This recipe is incredibly forgiving and adaptable. Here are a few extra notes and ideas to make it truly your own:

Ingredient Substitutions & Additions

Tomatoes: While grape tomatoes add a lovely pop of color and sweetness, you can certainly use a can of diced tomatoes (drained) if that’s what you have. Sun-dried tomatoes, finely chopped, would also add a fantastic concentrated flavor.
Spinach Alternatives: If fresh spinach isn’t your favorite, feel free to omit it or swap it for another quick-cooking vegetable. Steamed broccoli florets, asparagus tips, or even sautéed mushrooms would be delicious additions. For broccoli, cut it into small florets and steam until just tender before stirring it into the pasta.
Pasta Shape: The beauty of cavatelli is how the sauce clings to its crevices. However, feel free to use your favorite medium-sized pasta. Penne, rotini, farfalle, or even linguine would work wonderfully.
Protein Swap: Not a fan of shrimp? This garlic cream sauce pairs beautifully with other proteins. Consider sautéed chicken breast strips, flaked salmon, seared scallops, or even sliced Italian sausage. Adjust cooking times accordingly.
Extra Kick: For those who love a bit more heat, a pinch of red pepper flakes added to the sauce with the garlic would be fantastic.

Achieving the Perfect Sauce Consistency

If your sauce seems too thick, gradually add some of the reserved pasta cooking water, a tablespoon at a time, until it reaches your desired consistency. The starch in the pasta water helps the sauce emulsify beautifully. If it’s too thin, simmer gently for a few more minutes to allow it to reduce and thicken, or whisk in another half teaspoon of flour mixed with a tablespoon of cold water (a slurry) for a quick fix.

Make Ahead & Storage

This pasta dish is best enjoyed fresh, but leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days. When reheating, gently warm on the stovetop over low heat, adding a splash of chicken broth or heavy cream to loosen the sauce, as it will thicken significantly in the fridge.

What to Serve with Your Shrimp Pasta

This creamy shrimp pasta is quite substantial on its own, but a few complementary sides can elevate the meal even further:

Wine Pairing: For a delightful adult beverage, pair this dish with a chilled white wine. A crisp Chardonnay, a refreshing Pinot Grigio, or a zesty Sauvignon Blanc would all complement the creamy sauce and seafood beautifully.
Fresh Green Salad: A simple side salad with a light vinaigrette dressing offers a refreshing contrast to the richness of the pasta. Think mixed greens, cucumber, and cherry tomatoes.
Crusty Bread: Don’t let any of that delicious garlic cream sauce go to waste! Serve with warm, crusty bread or garlic bread for dipping.

I genuinely believe this will become one of your go-to weeknight recipes. It’s incredibly easy, yet so satisfyingly good. So, go ahead, break out those stretchy pants, and dig in! I’d love to hear if you give it a try. Feel free to leave a comment below with any questions or your own creative twists. Enjoy every glorious bite!

Shrimp Pasta with Garlic Cream Sauce Tomatoes and Spinach

Author: MaryAnn Dwyer

Servings: 4 servings

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This easy Shrimp Pasta with Garlic Cream Sauce Tomatoes and Spinach is comfort food done right! The garlic cream sauce is deliciously rich and creamy.

Prep Time 10 mins

Cook Time 20 mins

Total Time 30 mins

Ingredients

1 lb. shrimp, peeled, tail on if desired, deveined
1 Tbsp. blackening spice
2 Tbsp. olive oil
8 oz. cavatelli pasta, or medium sized pasta, like penne
4 Tbsp. butter
3 large cloves garlic, minced
1 Tbsp. all-purpose flour
1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
1 cup heavy cream
1 pint grape tomatoes, halved
1/3 cup Parmesan cheese, plus extra for serving
1 tsp. Italian seasoning
1 tsp. kosher salt
1/2 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
3 cups baby spinach leaves, packed and stems trimmed

Instructions

In a large bowl, toss the shrimp with the blackening spice until well coated. Add the olive oil to a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the shrimp to the skillet and cook for 3 minutes, flipping halfway through. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
Cook the pasta in a pot of salted water al dente according to package directions. While the pasta is cooking, melt the butter in the skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic and saute for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly. Whisk in the flour and cook for an additional minute. Whisk in the chicken broth until smooth. Add the heavy cream and tomatoes and continue whisking until the sauce begins to thicken. Add the Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, salt and pepper and whisk until well combined. Remove from the heat.
Add the shrimp, drained pasta and spinach leaves. Toss until the spinach leaves have wilted. Serve immediately with extra Parmesan cheese, if desired.

Notes

I used grape tomatoes, which I halved, but you could also use a can of diced tomatoes, drained.
I love the added spinach, but if you’re not a fan, you can just omit, or maybe add another veggie. Broccoli would be delicious. I’d cut the broccoli into small florets and steam until just tender before adding to the pasta.

I used cavatelli pasta for this recipe because I like how some of the sauce gets into the crevices of the pasta.

Nutrition

Keyword: blackening spice, grape tomatoes, Pasta, shrimp, spinach

Cuisine: American

Course: Main Dish

Before your first bite, snap a photo and share!If you make this recipe, I’d love to see! Be sure to follow thebeachhousekitchen on Instagram and tag Mention @thebeachhousekitchen or tag #thebeachhousekitchen!

More Delicious Pasta Recipes to Discover

If you loved this shrimp pasta, you’ll surely enjoy these other fantastic pasta dishes:

Chicken Fajita Pasta
Chicken Pesto Pasta Salad
Broccoli Pesto Pasta
Creamy Lemon Asparagus Pasta
Spicy Sausage Rigatoni