Marry Me Shrimp Pasta Recipe

I absolutely love this Marry Me Shrimp Pasta Recipe because it hits every note-rich, creamy sauce with tender shrimp and a burst of sun-dried tomato flavor that just lingers in the best way. When I first tried it, I was expecting a simple pasta dish, but it quickly became a family favorite, the kind you make when you’re craving something special yet comforting.

You’ll find that this recipe is perfect for those weeknight dinners when you want to impress without spending hours in the kitchen. The combination of smoky spices, fresh basil, and a luscious tomato cream sauce makes it worth every minute spent. Seriously, once you taste it, you ll see why it s called the Marry Me Shrimp Pasta Recipe-it just might win hearts at your table!

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Ingredients You’ll Need

Getting these ingredients fresh and quality makes a big difference here. The shrimp should be large and juicy, and using sun-dried tomato oil really pumps up the flavor instead of just plain olive oil. Don’t rush on the seasoning-it builds the magic in this Marry Me Shrimp Pasta Recipe.

• Shrimp: Large, peeled, and deveined shrimp work best – fresh or thawed frozen both do well.
• Smoked paprika: Adds a subtle smoky warmth, try to use fresh-smoked paprika for that deep, rich flavor.
• Italian seasoning: This blend complements the tomato and shrimp perfectly. If you don’t have Italian seasoning, a mix of basil, oregano, and thyme works too.
• Black pepper and salt: Essential for seasoning shrimp just right.
• Sun-dried tomato oil: Don’t skip this! It carries the intense tomato flavor and makes the shrimp juicy.
• Tomato paste: Concentrated to pack a punch in the sauce, enhancing its richness.
• Diced sun-dried tomatoes: Adds texture and bursts of chewy tomato sweetness in the creamy sauce.
• Gluten-free 1:1 flour: Helps thicken the sauce while keeping it gluten-free.
• Diced spinach: Brings freshness and balance to the creamy sauce.
• Butter: Adds lusciousness and helps soften aromatics.
• Minced onion and garlic: Classic flavor foundation that you ll want in every bite.
• Vegetable broth: Keeps the sauce light but flavorful.
• Heavy cream: For that silky smooth sauce that coats each pasta strand beautifully.
• Parmesan cheese: Sharp and nutty, it melts into the sauce elegantly.
• Fresh basil: A fragrant finishing touch that brightens the entire dish.
• Gluten-free penne: Holds sauce well and works perfectly with shrimp.

Variations

I love making this Marry Me Shrimp Pasta Recipe my own sometimes, whether by swapping out ingredients or dialing the spice levels up or down. Feel free to tailor it to what s in your pantry or your family s preferences-the flexibility is part of the appeal.

• Spicy kick: I add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes for a little heat-I found it balances beautifully with the creamy sauce.
• Protein swap: Sometimes I use chicken instead of shrimp, just cooking it until juicy and tender. It s still just as delicious!
• Veggie boost: Add mushrooms or roasted red peppers for extra texture and color.
• Dairy-free: Use coconut cream and nutritional yeast for a vegan-friendly twist that still feels indulgent.

How to Make Marry Me Shrimp Pasta Recipe

Step 1: Cook the Pasta and Prep the Shrimp

Start by boiling your gluten-free penne in salted water according to the package until al dente-that means it s cooked but still has a little bite. While that s cooking, toss your shrimp in a bowl with smoked paprika, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper until they re thoroughly coated. This seasoning blend creates the base flavor that really makes this dish pop.

Step 2: Sauté Shrimp with Sun-Dried Tomato Oil

Heat the sun-dried tomato oil over medium heat in a large skillet. When hot, add your shrimp and cook for about two minutes per side. This timing is crucial-shrimp cook quickly, so you want them to turn pink and opaque and curl into a nice C shape. If they curl up into an O, that means they re overcooked and might get rubbery, which you want to avoid. Once done, set the shrimp aside to cool slightly.

Step 3: Build the Sauce with Aromatics and Spices

In the same pan, melt the butter and add minced garlic, onion, diced sun-dried tomatoes, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and dried basil. Cook this mixture for about two minutes until everything smells fragrant and the onion softens. This step creates a rich flavor base that makes the sauce deliciously complex.

Step 4: Thicken and Enrich the Sauce

Sprinkle in the gluten-free flour and stir it thoroughly so it coats the aromatics well. Then slowly pour in the vegetable broth and heavy cream while stirring constantly to avoid lumps. Add diced spinach and cook the mixture until it thickens and the spinach wilts-this should take around five minutes. Stir in the parmesan cheese last until melted, which gives the sauce its signature creamy and cheesy richness.

Step 5: Combine Pasta, Sauce, and Shrimp Gently

Now it s time to bring everything together. Carefully toss the cooked pasta into your sauce, making sure each piece is coated well. Then fold in the shrimp gently to keep them tender and intact. Finish with a sprinkle of freshly chopped basil for a fragrant, fresh hit, and you re ready to serve.

How to Serve Marry Me Shrimp Pasta Recipe

Garnishes

I always go for a sprinkle of fresh chopped basil because it adds a bright color and fresh, herbaceous punch that cuts through the richness nicely. Sometimes I add a little extra grated parmesan on top for that salty, comforting finish. A few chili flakes can also work wonders if you want a touch of heat.

Side Dishes

My go-to side dishes with this pasta are a crisp green salad tossed in a lemon vinaigrette and some garlic bread-preferably gluten-free to match the pasta! For a heartier meal, roasted asparagus or sautéed green beans with garlic pair beautifully. They add freshness and crunch that complement the creamy pasta perfectly.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I like to serve this Marry Me Shrimp Pasta Recipe in individual shallow bowls topped with edible flowers and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil. Another fun way is layering the pasta and shrimp in a glass baking dish and presenting it family-style for guests to serve themselves-it feels warm and inviting without being fussy.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I usually store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge. It keeps well for up to 2 days and still tastes delicious reheated, though the shrimp soften a bit more. To keep the pasta from soaking up too much sauce overnight, sometimes I toss in a splash of broth when reheating.

Freezing

Freezing is possible but I recommend freezing the sauce and pasta separately from the cooked shrimp for best texture. Shrimp can become rubbery after freezing and reheating, so adding them fresh after thawing the sauce tastes better in my experience.

Reheating

I like to reheat this dish gently on the stove over low heat, stirring often, with a splash of broth or cream to loosen the sauce. This way, the pasta stays creamy and the shrimp stay tender without drying out-microwaving tends to make shrimp rubbery, which we definitely want to avoid.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

Honestly, this Marry Me Shrimp Pasta Recipe has become one of those dishes I reach for when I want something delicious but effortless that wows everyone. It s simple enough for a busy night but feels special enough to serve to guests or a loved one. I hope you enjoy making it as much as I do-once you try it, I m pretty sure it ll be a regular in your dinner rotation too!

Marry Me Shrimp Pasta Recipe

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• Author: Villerius
• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 6 servings
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: Italian-American
• Diet: Gluten Free

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Description

Marry Me Shrimp Pasta is a rich and flavorful gluten-free dish featuring succulent shrimp cooked in a creamy sun-dried tomato sauce with spinach and parmesan. This easy-to-make recipe combines smoky paprika, Italian herbs, and a luscious sauce served over tender gluten-free penne, perfect for a comforting weeknight dinner or special occasion.

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Ingredients

Units USM Scale 1x2x3x

Shrimp

• 1 pound extra large shrimp peeled and deveined
• 1/2 tablespoon smoked paprika
• 3/4 tablespoon Italian seasoning
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 tablespoon sun-dried tomato oil (from the sun-dried tomato jar)

Sauce

• 2 1/2 tablespoon Cento tomato paste
• 1/2 cup Cento sun-dried tomatoes, diced
• 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
• 1/3 teaspoon sweet smoked paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 teaspoon dried basil
• 2 tablespoon gluten-free 1:1 flour
• 2 cups diced spinach
• 2 tablespoon butter
• 2 tablespoon minced onion
• 2 tablespoon minced garlic
• 2 cups vegetable broth
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup parmesan cheese

Other

• 12 oz gluten-free penne pasta
• Fresh basil, chopped for garnish

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Instructions

1. Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the gluten-free penne pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
2. Season the shrimp: In a medium bowl, toss the peeled and deveined shrimp with smoked paprika, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper until evenly coated.
3. Cook the shrimp: Heat sun-dried tomato oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the shrimp and cook for about 2 minutes per side until they turn pink, opaque, and form a C shape. Avoid overcooking (shrimp should not curl tightly into an O shape). Remove shrimp from skillet and set aside.
4. Prepare the sauce aromatics: In the same skillet, melt butter over medium-low heat. Add minced garlic, minced onion, diced sun-dried tomatoes, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, salt, and dried basil. Cook this mixture for approximately 2 minutes until fragrant.
5. Thicken the sauce: Stir in gluten-free flour to the aromatic mixture, mixing well. Slowly add vegetable broth and heavy cream while stirring to avoid lumps. Add diced spinach and continue cooking until the sauce thickens and the spinach wilts, about 5 minutes.
6. Finish the sauce: Stir in parmesan cheese until melted and the sauce is creamy and smooth.
7. Combine pasta and shrimp: Gently fold the cooked pasta and shrimp into the sauce until evenly coated and heated through.
8. Garnish and serve: Sprinkle freshly chopped basil over the dish before serving. Enjoy your Marry Me Shrimp Pasta warm.

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Notes

• Be careful not to overcook the shrimp to keep them tender and juicy.
• Using gluten-free pasta and flour makes this recipe suitable for those with gluten sensitivities.
• Sun-dried tomato oil adds a rich flavor; if unavailable, substitute with olive oil but expect a slight flavor change.
• Fresh basil garnish adds a fresh herbal note; you can substitute with parsley if desired.
• For a lighter version, you can reduce the heavy cream quantity or substitute with half-and-half.

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Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 serving
• Calories: 460 kcal
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 780 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 38 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 28 g
• Cholesterol: 175 mg