Creamy Garlic Shrimp Pasta Recipe — Quick Garlic Butter Shrimp

You can’t beat juicy shrimp tossed in a rich, creamy garlic-parmesan sauce. This restaurant-quality dish is quick and simple to make and is perfect served over pasta, rice, or mashed potatoes.

This indulgent meal combines tender shrimp with a velvety, cheesy sauce that begs for seconds. Shrimp cooks quickly and pairs beautifully with the savory garlic and nutty parmesan in this recipe. The result is a flavorful, comforting dish suitable for weeknight dinners or entertaining guests.

Parmesan Garlic Sauce

The base of this dish is heavy cream and parmesan cheese, built up with garlic and a splash of white wine (optional). As the wine deglazes the pan it lifts the browned bits left from searing the shrimp, adding depth of flavor to the sauce. If you prefer to avoid alcohol, chicken stock is an excellent substitute.

Parmesan brings a salty, nutty dimension that thickens and enriches the sauce without overpowering it.

Shrimp coated with the creamy sauce and topped with some chopped fresh parsley and lemon slices.

Ingredients

The first ingredients season and crisp the shrimp; the rest create the creamy sauce.

Shrimp – Fresh is best, but pre-peeled frozen shrimp works well for convenience.
Flour or cornstarch – For a light coating to help sear the shrimp and thicken the sauce slightly.
Olive oil – For searing the shrimp.
Butter – Adds richness to the sauce.
Minced garlic – Essential for that savory garlic flavor. Garlic powder may be used in a pinch.
Dry white wine – Optional, but recommended for deglazing and depth. Substitute chicken broth if avoiding alcohol.
Salt & black pepper – To taste.
Italian seasoning – Adds a balanced herb flavor.
Heavy cream – Creates the silky base; sour cream can be used as an alternative.
Grated parmesan cheese – Adds nuttiness and helps thicken the sauce.
Lemon slices – For serving and brightness.
Fresh parsley – For garnish.

How to make – Step-by-step

Prep and season shrimp

Thaw frozen shrimp completely and pat dry with paper towels to remove excess water. In a bowl, combine flour or cornstarch with salt and pepper. Toss the shrimp in the mixture until evenly coated.

Heat a large skillet with 2 tablespoons olive oil over medium-high heat. Arrange shrimp in a single layer without crowding; cook about 2 minutes on the first side, flip, and cook another minute. Remove and repeat with the remaining shrimp, adding more oil if needed.

coat shrimp with flour, salt n pepper. sear shrimp.

Make the flavor base with wine

In the same skillet, add butter over medium-high heat. Sauté minced garlic briefly until fragrant but not browned. Pour in the white wine and let it reduce for a minute or two, scraping up any browned bits from the pan.

Make the sauce

Lower the heat and add chicken stock (or a little water) and heavy cream. Stir to combine, then add grated parmesan, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Let the sauce simmer gently for about a minute until the cheese melts and the sauce thickens slightly.

Finish the dish

Return the cooked shrimp to the skillet and spoon the sauce over them. Turn off the heat, garnish with chopped parsley and lemon slices, and serve immediately over pasta, rice, or with crusty bread.

make sauce with cream, parmesan cheese and seasoning.

A bowl of Pasta topped with the creamy garlic Shrimp.

Recipe Tips

Use medium-large shrimp; they shrink when cooked.
If using frozen shrimp, thaw and drain thoroughly before patting dry.
Always grate parmesan from a block for the creamiest, smoothest sauce—pre-grated cheese can make the sauce grainy.
When adding heavy cream, reduce the heat to prevent the cream from splitting.

Storage instructions

Store leftover shrimp and sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Shrimp is best eaten fresh, as reheating can change its texture and flavor. If the sauce separates after refrigeration, stir it while reheating gently in a pan to recombine.

What to serve with

This creamy garlic shrimp pairs well with several sides:

Rice – Plain white, brown, or basmati rice soaks up the sauce perfectly.
Pasta – Toss with spaghetti, linguine, or a lighter option like zucchini noodles.
Bread – Crusty bread is ideal for sopping up the sauce.
Creamy mashed potatoes are also a delicious accompaniment.
Roasted vegetables – Such as roasted Brussels sprouts, sweet potatoes, zucchini, or broccoli for a balanced plate.

Other shrimp recipes

Cherry Tomato Pasta with Shrimp – Bright tomatoes with garlic and basil.
Cheesy Bacon Shrimp Dip – A hot, indulgent appetizer with bacon and three cheeses.
Sweet Chili Shrimp Stir Fry – Quick stir-fry with vegetables in a sweet chili sauce.
Shrimp Orzo Salad with Pesto – A refreshing summer salad with pesto and tomatoes.
Cajun Shrimp and Rice – A spicy, hearty one-pan meal with seasoned rice.
Garlic Butter Shrimp and Vegetable Skillet – A fast, low-carb skillet with roasted vegetables.