This Creamy Garlic and Shrimp Pasta Recipe is rich, garlicky, and tossed in a silky cream sauce that coats every noodle. The shrimp is tender with a sweet, snappy bite that makes every forkful even tastier.
Looking for an easy dinner that comes together in less than 30 minutes? This one delivers.
Shrimp takes about 2 minutes to cook, and the sauce is done in about 5.
Then, I use a simple little shortcut: air fryer roasted garlic. It gives the sauce that sweet garlic flavor and saves me from having to peel and chop fresh garlic.
A restaurant-quality meal that is easy enough for a weeknight. That’s my kind of dinner.
What Makes This Creamy Garlic Shrimp and Pasta So Good
It’s the balance of flavors and textures that makes this dish work so well.
The shrimp is tender with a snappy bite. It’s sweet with a subtle kick from smoked paprika.
Heavy cream and parmesan create a rich, silky sauce, with Italian seasoning and red pepper flakes adding even more flavor.
What sets this recipe apart is the roasted garlic. It adds a mellow, slightly sweet garlic flavor that melts right into the sauce.
Tossed with al dente pasta, every bite is creamy, garlicky, and full of flavor.
Key Ingredients
- Shrimp: Pat the shrimp dry before cooking, and don’t overcook it. It only needs about 1 to 2 minutes per side.
- Pasta: Long pasta works especially well here because the sauce clings to it nicely, but this is your dish, so use whatever pasta you like.
- Roasted Garlic: This is my secret ingredient that sets this recipe apart. It adds a sweeter, more mellow garlic taste that blends perfectly into the creamy sauce. You can use fresh raw garlic too, but the flavor will be sharper.
- Cream: Use heavy cream for the richest, smoothest sauce.
- Parmesan: Use freshly grated parmesan – it melts more smoothly than pre-shredded.
- Seasonings: I use smoked paprika to season the shrimp, and Italian seasoning and red pepper flakes for the sauce.
Why I use roasted garlic in this recipe
Roasted garlic adds a mellow, slightly sweet garlic flavor to the dish. It works especially well here because the soft, jammy cloves melt right into the cream and parmesan, giving the sauce a deeper, more rounded flavor.
As an added bonus, it’s effortless. It takes about 20 minutes in the air fryer, instead of 40 to 60 minutes in the oven.
I don’t have to peel and chop each clove. You just squeeze it out with your hands (or press on it with a knife if it’s still hot), and all that buttery roasted garlic oozes right out. No peeling, no chopping. Easy.
Want to try it? Jump to the recipe here.
How to Make Garlic Shrimp and Pasta Recipe
From the shrimp to the creamy garlic sauce, this pasta is easy to pull together. Here’s how to make it.
1. Cook the pasta.
Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta until al dente, about 10 minutes. Reserve about 1/2 cup of pasta water, then drain.
2. Season the shrimp.
Pat the shrimp dry, then season with salt, black pepper, and smoked paprika.
3. Cook the shrimp.
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the shrimp and cook for about 1 to 2 minutes per side, or until pink and opaque. Transfer to a plate.
4. Saute the garlic.
Lower the heat to medium and add more olive oil. Add the mashed roasted garlic and stir it into the oil. If using raw garlic, add it here and sauté for about 30 seconds, or until fragrant.
5. Make the cream sauce.
Pour in the heavy cream, then add the parmesan, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes. Stir until the cheese melts and the sauce is smooth. Taste and season with the remaining 1/2 teaspoon of salt, if needed.
6. Toss everything together.
Add the drained pasta and cooked shrimp to the skillet. Toss until well coated. Add a splash of the reserved pasta water if the sauce is too thick.
7. Finish and serve.
Sprinkle with chopped parsley, then serve and enjoy.
Tips for the Best Creamy Garlic and Shrimp Pasta
These tips will help you get a creamy sauce and perfectly cooked shrimp every time.
- Pat the shrimp dry. This helps them sear better and keeps them from steaming in the pan.
- Don’t overcook the shrimp. Shrimp cooks fast and is done in about 1 to 2 minutes per side.
- Salt the pasta water well. It’s your first chance to season the pasta itself.
- Use freshly grated parmesan. It melts more smoothly into the sauce than pre-shredded cheese.
- Keep the heat low once the cream goes in. This helps the sauce stay smooth instead of turning greasy or separating.
What to Serve With Creamy Garlic Shrimp and Pasta
This creamy shrimp pasta is satisfying on its own, but a good side turns it into a full meal.
- Garlic bread: Great for soaking up every bit of that creamy sauce.
- Green salad: Something fresh with a light vinaigrette to cut through the richness of the pasta.
- Breadsticks: Perfect for dipping into the sauce and picking up anything left on the plate.
- Caprese salad: Light, fresh, and a nice contrast to the creamy sauce.
- Corn on the cob: A little unexpected, but really good with buttery, creamy pasta.
How to Store and Reheat Garlic Shrimp and Pasta
To Store: Store leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days.
To Reheat: Warm it in a skillet over low heat with a splash of milk or water to loosen the sauce. Or microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until warmed through.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of pasta works best for creamy garlic shrimp and pasta?
White sauces pair best with long pasta like fettuccine, linguine, or spaghetti because it clings to the noodles really well. But you’re the one eating it, so use any pasta you like.
Can I use frozen shrimp?
I highly recommend it. Roasted garlic works really well in this recipe and gives the sauce a smoother, mellower garlic flavor. If you want a deeper, less sharp garlic taste, roasted garlic is the way to go.
Can I use roasted garlic instead of fresh garlic?
Yes. Just make sure the shrimp is fully thawed and patted dry before cooking. It won’t sear as nicely if there’s too much moisture on it.
How do I know when the shrimp is done?
Shrimp cooks very quickly and is done in about 1 to 2 minutes per side, depending on the size. It’s done once it turns pink and opaque and curls into a loose C shape. Be careful not to overcook it, or it will turn rubbery.
Can I add vegetables to creamy garlic and shrimp pasta?
Yes. Spinach, mushrooms, cherry tomatoes, or broccoli all work well here. Stir them in near the end so they stay tender.
More Pasta Recipes to Try
Tteokbokki Carbonara
Gochujang Pasta
Marry Me Chicken Pasta
Spicy Rigatoni
Creamy Pesto Chicken Pasta
Creamy Garlic and Shrimp Pasta Recipe
Ingredients
- 8 ounces pasta
- 1 pound shrimp peeled and deveined
- 1 teaspoon salt divided
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- 3 tablespoons olive oil divided
- 1 whole head roasted garlic cloves, mashed (see recipe below) or 6 to 8 cloves garlic, finely minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup grated parmesan
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- Chopped parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta until al dente, about 10 minutes. Reserve about 1/2 cup of pasta water, then drain.
- Pat the shrimp dry, then season with ½ teaspoon salt, black pepper, and smoked paprika.
- Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the shrimp and cook for about 1 to 2 minutes per side, or until pink and opaque. Transfer to a plate.
- Lower the heat to medium and add the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil. Add the mashed roasted garlic and stir it into the oil. If using raw garlic, add it and saute for about 30 seconds, until fragrant.
- Pour in heavy cream, then add the parmesan, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes. Stir until the cheese melts and the sauce is smooth. Taste and season with remaining ½ teaspoon of salt, if needed.
- Add the drained pasta and cooked shrimp to the skillet. Toss until well coated. Add a splash of the reserved pasta water if the sauce is too thick.
- Sprinkle with chopped parsley. Serve and enjoy!
Nutrition
Air Fryer Roasted Garlic
Instructions
- Slice off the top of the garlic head to expose the cloves.
- Place the garlic on a piece of foil. Drizzle with olive oil, then sprinkle with salt and black pepper. Wrap the garlic tightly in the foil.
- Air fry at 390°F for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the cloves are soft, golden, and easy to squeeze out.
- Let it cool slightly, then squeeze the roasted garlic out of the cloves and use as needed.
