Description
This creamy garlic shrimp with Parmesan is a quick and delicious 20-minute meal that combines tender shrimp seared to perfection with a rich, creamy sauce infused with garlic and Parmesan cheese. Perfect for a weeknight dinner, it can be served over rice, pasta, zucchini noodles, or with crusty bread to soak up the luscious sauce.
Ingredients
Shrimp
- 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined, tails on or off
For Searing & Sauce
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter, divided
- 4-5 cloves garlic, freshly minced
- 1/4 cup chicken or vegetable broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
- 1/2 tsp freshly cracked black pepper
- Kosher salt, to taste
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped (for garnish)
To Serve (optional)
- Cooked white rice or pasta, zucchini noodles, or crusty bread
Instructions
- Prepare & season: Pat the shrimp very dry using paper towels to remove excess moisture. Lightly season the shrimp with kosher salt and a pinch of freshly cracked black pepper to enhance their natural flavor.
- Sear the shrimp: Heat 1 tablespoon of unsalted butter and the 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. Avoid overcooking. Transfer the shrimp to a plate and set aside.
- Build pan sauce: Reduce the heat to medium and add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter to the skillet. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 30 to 60 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn it. Scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan and let the mixture simmer for 2 to 3 minutes to reduce slightly.
- Make the cream sauce: Stir in the chicken or vegetable broth and heavy cream, bringing the mixture to a gentle simmer for 3 to 4 minutes until it thickens slightly. Reduce the heat to low and gradually whisk in the freshly grated Parmesan cheese until the sauce is smooth. Season with additional black pepper and salt to taste.
- Combine & serve: Return the cooked shrimp and any accumulated juices to the pan, tossing gently for 1 minute to warm the shrimp through. Turn off the heat, stir in the chopped fresh parsley, and serve immediately over hot cooked rice, pasta, zucchini noodles, or with crusty bread to enjoy the creamy sauce.
Notes
- For a lighter version, substitute half-and-half for heavy cream, but the sauce will be less rich.
- You can use either chicken or vegetable broth depending on your preference or dietary needs.
- Freshly grated Parmesan cheese yields the best flavor and texture compared to pre-grated varieties.
- Cooking shrimp with tails on adds presentation value but is optional depending on preference.
- Serve with white rice, pasta, zucchini noodles, or crusty bread to soak up the delicious sauce.
- Be careful not to overcook shrimp as they become rubbery quickly.
- To make it gluten-free, ensure the broth and other ingredients are gluten-free certified.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Searing and simmering
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe (about 6 oz shrimp with sauce)
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 27g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 6g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 220mg
