Creamy Shrimp Pasta Recipes

Indulge in the tantalizing flavors of succulent shrimp and perfectly cooked pasta drenched in cream sauces with our collection of mouthwatering creamy shrimp pasta recipes. Whether you're a seafood lover or simply seeking a new culinary adventure, join us as we dive into the world of irresistible shrimp pasta creations that will leave you craving more. Get ready to elevate your dinner game with these enticing recipes that are guaranteed to make your taste buds dance!

Top 10 Creamy Shrimp Pasta Recipes to Try

Check out these recipes and make a delicious plate of creamy shrimp pasta for your next hearty meal.

1. Shrimp Piccata

Imagine plump, juicy shrimp bathed in a luscious lemon-butter sauce, infused with the perfect balance of tangy capers and aromatic garlic—that’s what you’ll get with this gorgeous shrimp piccata. The zesty citrus cuts through the richness of the butter, creating a flavor harmony that is simply irresistible. Served over a bed of al dente pasta, it’s the perfect dish for any occasion.

2. White Spaghetti

This dish’s creamy sauce is a simmered mixture of heavy cream, cheese, butter, flour, spices, and herbs. It drenches the spaghetti and shrimp in a delectable buttery, sweet, and subtly aromatic taste. A one-pan wonder that comes together in just 30 minutes, it’s a fantastic choice for all those busy nights when you still want a little bit of indulgence.

3. Chicken and Shrimp Carbonara

Technically speaking, carbonara doesn’t really require heavy cream, so this may not be the most authentic carbonara recipe out there. However, that doesn’t mean it’s not good in its own way.

The sauce is an enticing mixture of heavy cream, milk, chicken broth, and egg yolks, which makes it lusciously rich and utterly decadent. And the best part is you’ll only need 20 minutes to put this restaurant-worthy dish together.

4. Cajun Shrimp Pasta

For those who like a little spice in their life, this Cajun shrimp pasta is a must-try. The cream-based sauce gets a kick of heat from spices like cayenne pepper, paprika, pepper flakes, and garlic powder, with some tomato paste and white wine added for that crisp tangy undertone. What else can we say, it’s magic on a plate!

5. Shrimp Scampi

This classic dish takes succulent shrimp and elevates them to a whole new level of deliciousness. With each bite, you'll experience a burst of flavor as the garlic infuses the shrimp, creating a heavenly aroma that will make your taste buds dance with joy. The buttery sauce adds a richness that perfectly complements the natural sweetness of the shrimp, resulting in a symphony of flavors that will leave you craving more. Served over a bed of al dente pasta, this shrimp scampi is a culinary delight that is sure to impress.

6. Creamy Shrimp Rose Pasta

Rose pasta is a Korean pasta dish with a sauce made from tomato sauce and heavy cream. It’s delectably tangy, sweet, and rich, with fragrance hints of garlic and onion peeking through to create an addicting blend of flavors. If you’re looking for something new but also simple and easy to try out, don’t miss out on this wonderful recipe.

7. Creamy Shrimp Pasta With Corn and Sun-Dried Tomatoes

With umami sun-dried tomatoes, sweet corn, and succulent shrimp all drenched in a garlicky, herby cream sauce, this pasta serves up bright flavors that reminisce of sunshine. Serve it with a side of crisp green salad and perhaps a glass of rosé and feel the taste of summer bursting on your taste buds.

8. Shrimp Alfredo

Here’s another classic Italian dish coming in hot! No matter the occasion, it’s safe to say that you can’t really go wrong with a golden dish of alfredo pasta. It’s simple and cozy yet also lusciously decadent, giving the comforts of a homemade dish and the lavishness of a fine dining experience.

9. Creamy Garlic Shrimp Pasta

The juxtaposition of peppery, sharp garlic and mild, sweet milk is one that will transport your taste buds to culinary heaven. But that’s not the only thing that makes this dish so mouthwateringly good. The shrimp is marinated in a spicy mixture of garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, cayenne pepper, black pepper, and salt, so there’ll be no shortage of flavors going around. Try it once and you won’t be able to get enough!

10. One-Pan Creamy Shrimp Pasta Alla Vodka

Any pasta aficionado will tell you that pasta alla vodka is an irreplaceable arsenal to have in your meal rotation. It’s comforting yet indulgent, perfect for casual dinners but also fancy date nights. Tomato paste, heavy cream, and vodka come together to create a rich, luscious, and flavor-bursting sauce. It coats the shrimp, sun-dried tomatoes, and pasta in heavenly goodness, then the red pepper chili flakes come in for a subtle spicy kick. Of course, if you have some parmesan cheese laying around to seal the deal with that nutty tanginess, all the better!

Pick your favorite from our recommendations and get going!

What Kind of Cream Is Used for Shrimp Pasta?

As the name suggests, the sauce for shrimp pasta must be of a creamy texture. So what kind of cream should we use here?

Our recommendation is to use heavy cream, also called heavy whipping cream. Thanks to its high fat content, heavy cream has a thicker and creamier consistency than other types of cream. This is exactly what our dish calls for.

What happens if you don’t have heavy cream, or if you want to make your dish lighter?

We have the answers for you. Check out these substitutes.

Substitute for Heavy Cream

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• Half and half

You can easily find half and half milk at the co-ops or grocery stores. It’s simply a blend of whole milk and light cream in equal parts.

For making pasta sauce, it’s best to go with full-fat half and half to get the desired creaminess. For health-conscious folks, it is a great option because the fat content is already much lower than heavy cream.

Avoid non-fat half and half because the taste and texture of our sauce will not be as great.

• Evaporated milk

With more than half of its water removed, evaporated milk is a concentrated version of regular milk, and is both tasty and nutritious.

It is different from condensed milk in that there is no added sugar; hence, it’s a much healthier option.

Because of its dense consistency, evaporated milk is often used instead of cream. It is also less rich and lower in calories than its heavy cream counterpart.

Remember to choose the kind that is made from whole milk for the best results.

• Milk with cream cheese

This variation is for those who want their pasta sauce to be rich and creamy but don’t have heavy cream at hand while preparing the sauce.

Simply stir milk with cream cheese, simmer on low heat until thickened, add the pasta, and watch the delish magic unfold.

• Milk with cornstarch

If you don’t have heavy cream, half and half, evaporated milk, or cream cheese blended with milk, you can add milk to cornstarch and use it as a substitute.

The combination has the taste of milk and its thick consistency is pretty similar to cream. 

However, this option is not as great as the others, and should be used as a last resort for preparing the sauce.

Types of Creamy Sauce for Shrimp Pasta

Now that we have listed the types of creams used to prepare the sauce, let’s talk about the different variations of creamy sauce for our shrimp pasta. Here are the three most popular used for pasta that you can whip up with little to no trouble:

• Alfredo sauce:

Alfredo sauce is a silky creamy white sauce, traditionally made from butter and Parmesan cheese. This elegant Alfredo sauce is an all-time favorite for making creamy shrimp pasta. It’s utterly rich and creamy, with a salty, tangy undertone and hints of garlic—decadent and lavish but still so comforting.

• Garlic cream sauce:

Any cuisine with a touch of garlic tastes fantastic. Garlic cream sauce is no exception.

The combination of roasted garlic, butter, cheese, and aromatics makes the sauce extra rich, creamy, and delicious with little nuances of peppery, pungent notes. It’s delectably complex and perfect for any occasion.

• Cajun cream sauce:

If you love to add a little heat to your creamy shrimp pasta, whip up Cajun cream sauce! You can make your own Cajun seasoning or use a store-bought mix for convenience.

The heat and savory flavors derived from the Cajun spice blend combined with heavy cream and Parmesan cheese make a contrasting mix of flavors that will have you hooked from the very first taste.

Top 10 Creamy Shrimp Pasta Recipes for Easy & Delicious Meals

5 from 1 vote

There’s very little that a good, warm dish of pasta can’t fix, and the case is especially true with these creamy shrimp pasta recipes. Quick, easy, and delicious with golden, restaurant-worthy qualities, they check all the boxes for satisfying, unforgettable meals.

Ingredients

• Shrimp Piccata
• White Spaghetti
• Chicken and Shrimp Carbonara
• Cajun Shrimp Pasta
• Shrimp Scampi
• Creamy Shrimp Rose Pasta
• Creamy Shrimp Pasta With Corn and Sun-Dried Tomatoes
• Shrimp Alfredo
• Creamy Garlic Shrimp Pasta
• One-Pan Creamy Shrimp Pasta Alla Vodka

DIRECTIONS

1. Choose a recipe that you like.
2. Assemble and prepare the ingredients.
3. Follow the instructions to cook up delicious, irresistible creamy pasta dishes in less than 30 minutes!