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Indulge in the Creamy Garlic Shrimp With Parmesan, a delightfully easy shrimp recipe that’s ready in under 10 minutes! Coated in a rustic, buttery sauce, this dish features succulent shrimp bathed in a velvety, garlic-infused cream with a twist of Parmesan—both decadent and comforting.
Transform and elevate everyday ingredients into a spectacular meal perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or special occasion. For an even more heavenly experience, consider pairing it with our Honey Garlic Butter Roasted Carrots. Enjoy the flavors and impress your guests!
What Sets This Creamy Garlic Shrimp Apart?
What sets my Creamy Garlic Shrimp With Parmesan recipe apart from the rest is the perfect balance of flavors and simplicity. Adapted from my popular Creamy Garlic Scallops recipe, this mouthwatering dish goes with absolutely anything and assures the same stellar result.
I craft my recipes to provide a rich, decadent sauce that perfectly complements succulent shrimp, without overwhelming you with complex steps. I focus on using everyday ingredients that you likely already have in your kitchen, making it convenient and accessible. Plus, my easy-to-follow instructions ensure that you can achieve restaurant-quality results right in your own home. This recipe is quick, ready in under 10 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights or impressing guests without the fuss.
Creamy Garlic Shrimp: Key Ingredients
The magic of this Creamy Garlic Shrimp With Parmesan lies in its essential ingredients. Each one contributes to a rich, flavorful sauce that envelops succulent shrimp in creamy perfection. Let’s dive into what makes this recipe truly exceptional:
- Shrimp: Opt for fresh, wild-caught shrimp for the best flavor and texture. When buying shrimp, look for firm, translucent flesh and a mild, sea-like scent. Whether you choose tails on or off is up to you—both work beautifully in this recipe. If using frozen shrimp, make sure they’re fully thawed and patted dry before cooking.
- Garlic: Fresh garlic is key to achieving that robust, savory flavor. Choose garlic bulbs that are firm with dry, papery skins. Avoid any bulbs that feel soft or have started to sprout. Mince the garlic finely to ensure it melds seamlessly into the creamy sauce.
- Dry White Wine or Chicken Broth: For a touch of elegance, use a dry white wine such as Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio. It adds a subtle acidity that enhances the sauce’s depth. If you prefer a non-alcoholic option, high-quality chicken broth works just as well, providing a savory undertone.
- Parmesan Cheese: Freshly grated Parmesan is a must for the best flavor and texture. Avoid pre-grated options, as they often contain additives that can affect the sauce’s creaminess. Look for Parmesan with a nutty aroma and a slightly gritty texture—this indicates it’s well-aged and full of flavor.
*Note: Please see Recipe Card at the bottom for a full list of ingredients and measurements.
Additions And Substitutions
When it comes to Creamy Shrimp in Garlic Sauce with parmesan, versatility is essential. Even if you don’t have every single ingredient on hand, don’t fret—there are numerous tasty alternatives that will ensure your dish remains flavorful and delightful.
- Butter Options: If you prefer not to use salted butter, opt for unsalted butter and season the shrimp to your taste. This allows you to control the saltiness and customize the dish to your liking.
- Cream Alternatives: Feel free to use reduced fat cream (or light cream), half and half, or heavy/thickened cream depending on your preference. For a lower calorie option, evaporated milk is a great substitution that still provides a creamy texture.
- Enhance the Flavor: If you’re feeling adventurous, add a pinch of red pepper flakes for a bit of heat or a squeeze of lemon juice for a bright, zesty finish. These small tweaks can add an extra layer of flavor without altering the core of the recipe.
Perfect Creamy Garlic Shrimp: Step-By-Step
Ready to create delectable Garlic Parmesan Shrimp with this recipe? Follow these simple steps with images to guide you through the process. You’ll achieve a rich, creamy shrimp dish, bursting with the flavors of garlic, Parmesan, and fresh herbs that’s sure to impress and delight:
- Prepare the Shrimp: Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season shrimp with salt and pepper, and fry for 1-2 minutes on each side until just cooked through and pink. Transfer to a bowl and set aside.
- Sauté the Garlic: Melt the butter in the same skillet. Sauté garlic until fragrant (about 30 seconds). Pour in the white wine or broth and reduce by half, scraping any bits off the bottom of the pan.
- Simmer the Cream: Reduce heat to low-medium. Add the cream and bring to a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Melt the Parmesan: Add the Parmesan cheese and allow the sauce to gently simmer for a further minute or so until the cheese melts and the sauce thickens.
- Combine and Garnish: Add the shrimp back into the pan and sprinkle with parsley. Taste the sauce and adjust salt and pepper if needed.
- Serve and Enjoy: Serve! These shrimp are versatile—you can enjoy them as they are or use them as a sauce for pasta.
Shrimp ready, now what to do with it? If you’re wondering whether to enjoy them with a slice of Garlic Bread or pair them with something else, the choice is yours! The ultimate question arises: carbs or no carbs? I’ll leave that decision to you, while offering plenty of options to help you decide.
For team carbs, consider pairing the shrimp with pasta, Easy Creamy Mashed Potatoes, or Garlic Cheese Bread. For team vegetables, try pairing the shrimp with Cauliflower Fried Rice for a lighter twist on the classic, Mashed Cauliflower as a creamy and low-carb alternative to mashed potatoes, or Sautéed Green Beans for a crisp and refreshing side. Each option offers a delicious way to complement your shrimp while keeping things. Enjoy exploring these delicious options!
Recipe FAQ’s
The shrimp is cooked when it turns pink and opaque. It usually takes about 1-2 minutes on each side. Be careful not to overcook them as they can become tough.
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat gently in a skillet over low heat to prevent the sauce from breaking.
I recommend choosing a white wine to go with this dish. A light Chardonnay or Pinot Gris pairs really well with the creamy, garlicky flavors. For a sweeter option, choose a Riesling or a Sparkling Moscato.
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Creamy Garlic Shrimp
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound shrimp tails on or off
- 1/4 teaspoon salt to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 6 cloves garlic minced
- 1/2 cup dry white wine or chicken broth
- 1 1/2 cups reduced fat cream
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese freshly grates
- 2 tablespoons parsley fresh, chopped
Instructions
- Heat oil a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season shrimp with salt and pepper and fry for 1-2 minutes on each side, until just cooked through and pink. Transfer to a bowl; set aside.
- Melt the butter in the same skillet. Sauté garlic until fragrant (about 30 seconds). Pour in the white wine or broth; allow to reduce to half while scraping any bits off of the bottom of the pan.
- Reduce heat to low-medium heat, add the cream and bring to a gentle simmer, while stirring occasionally. Season with salt and pepper to your taste.
- Add the parmesan cheese and allow sauce to gently simmer for a further minute or so until the cheese melts and sauce thickens.
- Add the shrimp back into the pan, sprinkle with parsley. Taste test sauce and adjust salt and pepper, if needed.
- Serve over pasta, rice or steamed veg.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
I’ve made this recipe multiple times and it’s a real winner! I use heavy cream and Tony Chachere’s Cajun seasoning but other than that, I make it as the recipe is written. Gulf shrimp from Aldi and for me, heart of palm “pasta.”
Really, really good. Served over fettucine. Next time I will make a little more sauce, because it was so delicious and everyone wanted a little more with the pasta.
This is delicious! I added some Knorr shrimp bouillon and Tony Chachere’s creole seasoning and it gave it the perfect flavor. I’ll definitely make this again! So easy to make too.
This is delicious! I used Old Bay in place of some of the salt (Maryland thing). Sauce turned out beautifully as written using half & half. Made some rice and lightly cooked broccoli while this simmered and placed on a plate (bowl would work too). Spooned shrimp and sauce over. Instant dinner! Will make this again for sure, and have passed it on to granddaughters, one of whom cooks gluten free. Thanks so much!