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Marry Me Shrimp Pasta Recipe: The Ultimate Romantic Dinner

Are you on the hunt for a meal so wonderfully indulgent it might just prompt a marriage proposal? A dish that can transform a quiet night in into an unforgettable occasion? Your search ends here. We present our definitive Marry Me Shrimp Pasta Recipe, a creation that has won over hearts and appetites online thanks to its pure, irresistible charm. We’re confident that just one mouthful of these plump prawns, bathed in a rich, velvety cream sauce with sun-dried tomatoes and garlic, will leave you utterly captivated.

This recipe is far more than just a simple dinner; it’s a culinary experience. While it serves as the perfect showpiece for a celebration, it is also remarkably straightforward to prepare on a weeknight when you’re craving a touch of luxury. We have refined our method to help you achieve restaurant-standard results time and time again, creating a dish that is as stunning as it is reliable. Right then, let’s head to the kitchen!

What Makes This Shrimp Pasta So Irresistible?

The true charm of this dish is its remarkable complexity of flavour. It takes its cues from classic Italian-American cooking, transforming a handful of simple, quality ingredients into something truly magnificent. The sauce is the undeniable hero: a sumptuous mix of double cream, tangy Parmesan cheese, fragrant garlic, and the deep, sweet-sour notes of sun-dried tomatoes. This is the hallmark of many dishes known as creamy tuscan shrimp pasta, celebrated for its hearty and comforting appeal.

When you introduce perfectly cooked pasta and succulent, juicy prawns to this sauce, you create a beautiful harmony of textures and tastes. Every strand of linguine is lavishly coated in creamy perfection, with delightful bursts of flavour from the tomatoes and fresh basil. It’s a meal that feels exceptionally decadent and fulfilling, yet comes together in almost no time at all.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Wonderfully Swift: From beginning to end, you can have this spectacular meal ready and on the table in less than 30 minutes, making it ideal for a spontaneous special dinner.
Bursting with Flavour: The sublime fusion of garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, cream, and Parmesan results in a sauce that is deeply savoury and completely delicious.
Ideal for a Romantic Evening: This is the quintessential easy romantic dinner. It looks and tastes superb, creating the perfect atmosphere without you having to spend hours at the hob.
Everyday Ingredients, Extraordinary Results: There’s no need for an extensive list of specialist items. This recipe relies on common pantry and fridge staples to craft something truly special.
Easily Adaptable: While we adore it just as it is, you can readily make it your own by adding spinach, mushrooms, or a pinch of chilli flakes for a little warmth.

Key Ingredients for Marry Me Shrimp Pasta

To craft this culinary delight, we’ll need a selection of core components. We have organised them into the main elements and the vital sauce that unites the dish.

For the Shrimp and Pasta

Pasta: For this dish, we suggest using a long pasta such as linguine or fettuccine, as its shape is perfect for holding the creamy sauce. That said, shapes like penne or rigatoni are also excellent choices.
King Prawns (Shrimp): For the finest flavour and texture, opt for large, raw king prawns. It’s important that they are peeled and properly deveined.
Olive Oil: This will be used to sauté the prawns and form the flavour base of our sauce.
Salt and Black Pepper: Essential for seasoning the prawns and bringing the finished dish to life.

For the Creamy Tuscan Sauce

Butter: This provides a rich and creamy starting point for the sauce.
Garlic: Freshly minced garlic is non-negotiable for delivering that aromatic, savoury depth.
Sun-Dried Tomatoes: We recommend using the oil-packed kind for their concentrated sweet and tangy taste. Don’t throw away the oil—a drop can add even more flavour!
Chicken or Vegetable Stock: This helps to loosen the sauce slightly while adding another layer of savoury flavour.
Double Cream: The secret to achieving that incredibly smooth and luxurious consistency.
Parmesan Cheese: Always use freshly grated Parmesan for superior melting and its distinct nutty, salty character. Steer clear of pre-shredded varieties, as they can contain additives that prevent smooth melting.
Fresh Basil: Added right at the end, it introduces a fresh, peppery note that beautifully balances the richness of the sauce.
Red Pepper Flakes (Optional): If you enjoy a subtle background heat, a small pinch works wonders.

How to Make Our Marry Me Shrimp Pasta Recipe Step-by-Step

Simply follow these straightforward steps to create a flawless plate of creamy shrimp pasta. Our best advice is to have all your ingredients prepared and within reach before you begin cooking.

Cook the Pasta: First, set a large saucepan of generously salted water on to boil. Add your chosen pasta and cook it as per the packet’s instructions until it is al dente. Before draining, make sure to save around 250ml (1 cup) of the starchy pasta water. This is our secret weapon for perfecting the sauce!
Sear the Prawns: As the pasta cooks, warm the olive oil in a large, deep frying pan over a medium-high heat. Pat the prawns thoroughly dry with kitchen paper and season them with salt and pepper. Arrange them in a single layer in the hot pan and cook for 1-2 minutes on each side until they turn pink and opaque. Take care not to overcook them. Transfer the cooked prawns from the pan to a plate and set aside.
Begin the Sauce: Lower the heat to medium and add the butter to the same pan. Once it has melted, add the minced garlic and sauté for approximately 30 seconds until it becomes fragrant, ensuring it doesn’t brown. Now, add the chopped sun-dried tomatoes and red pepper flakes (if you’re using them) and cook for one more minute.
Create the Creamy Base: Pour the stock into the pan to deglaze it, gently scraping up any tasty browned morsels from the bottom. Allow it to simmer and reduce by about half. Reduce the heat further and gently pour in the double cream, stirring all the time.
Complete the Sauce: Carefully bring the sauce to a gentle simmer, but do not allow it to boil. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until it has fully melted and the sauce is perfectly smooth. This is what creates the signature taste of a garlic cream shrimp linguine. Have a taste and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper if you feel it’s needed.
Bring it All Together: Tip the drained pasta directly into the pan containing the sauce. Toss everything thoroughly to ensure every piece is coated. Return the cooked prawns to the pan along with the fresh basil. If the sauce seems a little too thick, add a small amount of the reserved pasta water until you achieve your preferred consistency.
Serve and Enjoy: Share the pasta between warmed bowls. Garnish with a little extra fresh basil and a final dusting of Parmesan cheese. Serve and enjoy immediately!

Tips for Pasta Perfection

Are you ready to take your pasta creation to the next level? Here are some of our trusted tips to guarantee your Marry Me Shrimp Pasta is an absolute triumph.

Choosing and Preparing the Best Shrimp

The quality of your prawns (or shrimp) truly makes a world of difference. We strongly suggest using raw, large king prawns, as they cook up to be wonderfully juicy and tender. If you’re using frozen prawns, just be certain they are completely defrosted and patted very dry before cooking. This helps them to sear nicely rather than steam. For more guidance, take a look at this useful article on how to prepare and cook prawns from BBC Good Food.

The Magic of Pasta Water

We’ve already mentioned it, but this point is worth repeating: do not discard all of your pasta cooking water! The starches that are released into the water as the pasta cooks transform it into a brilliant emulsifier. Adding a little of this water to your sauce will help it adhere to the pasta for a much silkier and more cohesive finish.

Mastering the Creamy Sauce

To prevent a grainy or separated sauce, we follow two simple but crucial rules. Firstly, once you’ve added the cream, never let the sauce reach a vigorous boil; maintain a gentle simmer instead. Secondly, for the best results, always buy a block of Parmesan cheese and grate it yourself just before you need it. It incorporates into the sauce much more smoothly than pre-grated options.

Variations and Serving Suggestions

Although this sun dried tomato shrimp pasta is truly exceptional on its own, it also serves as a wonderful canvas for your own creative touches. Why not add a generous handful of fresh spinach to the sauce towards the end of cooking and allow it to wilt? Sautéed mushrooms or chopped roasted red peppers also make for delicious additions. For a different but equally delightful flavour, we invite you to try our fabulous Salmon Pasta With Creamy Garlic Sauce.

We adore serving this pasta with a side of warm, crusty garlic bread, which is perfect for soaking up every last bit of that amazing sauce. A simple green salad tossed in a light vinaigrette also offers a refreshing and welcome contrast to the richness of the main dish. If you’re searching for another quick and deeply satisfying pasta meal, our One Pot Creamy Garlic Pasta is a family favourite that never disappoints.

FAQ

Q: Can I use pre-cooked shrimp for this recipe?

A: While you can, we find that raw prawns offer a superior flavour and texture. If you do use pre-cooked prawns, you should omit the initial searing step. Instead, add them to the finished sauce with the pasta at the very end. Toss for just a minute until they are warmed through, as this will prevent them from becoming tough.

Q: How can I make this Marry Me Shrimp Pasta dairy-free?

A: To create a dairy-free version, you can replace the butter with a good quality olive oil or a dairy-free spread. For the cream, use a plant-based double cream alternative; those made from oats or soya tend to work very well. You can substitute the Parmesan with a dairy-free cheese or a dusting of nutritional yeast for a savoury, cheesy flavour. The result will be different, but still very tasty!

Q: What can I substitute for sun-dried tomatoes?

A: If you don’t have any sun-dried tomatoes to hand, you could use chopped roasted red peppers from a jar for a sweeter, smokier taste. Another great alternative is to sauté a punnet of halved cherry tomatoes with the garlic until they begin to soften and release their sweet juices.

Q: Is this the same as the viral TikTok pasta?

A: Our recipe is our own take on the celebrated dish that became a huge online sensation. Although many variations exist, the fundamental elements of a creamy, tomato-based sauce paired with a protein are what characterise this viral shrimp pasta recipe. We’ve fine-tuned the balance of flavours to make it a simple and reliably delicious dish for you to make at home.

A Dish Worthy of a Special Moment

So there you have it—our show-stopping Marry Me Shrimp Pasta, a recipe that certainly lives up to its reputation of being utterly irresistible. It’s a wonderful combination of creamy, savoury, and layered flavours that is sure to have everyone at your dinner table asking for the recipe. This dish is proof that you don’t need to be in the kitchen for hours to create a meal that feels both special and celebratory.

So, why not give it a go? Put on your apron, play some of your favourite music, and treat yourself or a loved one to this magnificent dish tonight. We would be delighted to hear how your romantic meal goes! Please feel free to leave a comment and a rating below to let us know what you think. Happy cooking!