Creamy Garlic Shrimp
This creamy garlic shrimp recipe is a quick and easy dish bursting with rich garlic flavor and a luscious, velvety cream sauce. Perfect for busy weeknights or spontaneous dinners, it pairs tender shrimp with a savory, indulgent sauce that can be served over pasta, rice, or with crusty bread. Ready in under 20 minutes, it combines simple pantry staples to deliver a restaurant-quality meal without the fuss.
- Author: Lina
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 3 to 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Shrimp
- 1 lb medium or large peeled and deveined shrimp
Sauce
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 4 cloves garlic, freshly minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Garnish
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- Prepare the Shrimp: Pat the peeled and deveined shrimp dry with a paper towel. This step is important to ensure the shrimp sear properly and develop a slightly crisp exterior.
- Sauté the Garlic: In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the freshly minced garlic and cook for 1–2 minutes until fragrant, being careful not to brown it to avoid bitterness.
- Cook the Shrimp: Add the shrimp to the skillet and sauté for 2-3 minutes on each side until they turn pink and opaque. Remove the shrimp from the skillet and set aside to prevent overcooking.
- Make the Cream Sauce: Pour the heavy cream into the same skillet, stirring to combine with the garlic butter. Simmer gently over low heat for 3-4 minutes, until the sauce thickens slightly.
- Add Parmesan and Seasoning: Stir in the freshly grated Parmesan cheese, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Continue to mix until the cheese has melted and the sauce becomes smooth and creamy.
- Finish with Shrimp and Parsley: Return the cooked shrimp to the skillet and toss to coat them evenly with the sauce. Sprinkle the fresh chopped parsley on top just before serving to add color and a bright herbal note.
Notes
- Dry Your Shrimp: Pat shrimp dry to get a golden crust; moisture prevents proper searing.
- Don’t Overcook Shrimp: Remove shrimp from heat as soon as they turn pink to keep them tender.
- Grate Your Cheese Fresh: Freshly grated Parmesan melts better and delivers richer flavor.
- Simmer, Don’t Boil: Let the cream sauce thicken on low heat to avoid curdling or scorching.
- Lemon Juice Last: Add lemon juice at the end to preserve its bright, fresh flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 recipe
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 550mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 3g
- Fiber: 0.2g
- Protein: 23g
- Cholesterol: 220mg
Keywords: creamy garlic shrimp, garlic shrimp recipe, quick shrimp dinner, creamy shrimp sauce, easy shrimp recipe, weeknight dinner, shrimp pasta sauce