Name: recipe creamy garlic shrimp pasta
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Ingredients: 250 g (8.8 oz) Linguine or Fettuccine: Dried pasta recommended for starch release.; 300 g (10.5 oz) Raw Shrimp, Peeled and Deveined: Large or jumbo shrimp preferred.; 2 tbsp (30 ml) Olive Oil: For sautéing garlic and shallots.; 4 cloves Garlic, Minced: Freshly minced for optimal flavor.; 1 small Shallot, Finely Chopped: Provides a milder onion flavor.; 200 ml (3/4 cup) Heavy Cream: Use cream with at least 36% milkfat.; 100 ml (1/2 cup) Whole Milk: Balances the richness of the cream.; 1/4 tsp (1 pinch) Saffron Threads: Imparts color and floral flavor.; 2 tbsp (30 ml) Warm Water: To steep saffron and release flavor.; 1/2 tsp Smoked Paprika: Adds smoky depth.; 1/4 tsp Salt: Kosher salt preferred.; 1/4 tsp Freshly Ground Black Pepper: For sharper flavor.; 2 tbsp (30 g) Grated Parmesan Cheese: Adds salty, umami flavor.; 1 tbsp (15 g) Toasted Pine Nuts: Provides crunch and nutty flavor.; 1 tbsp (15 ml) Lemon Juice: Brightens the sauce.; 2 tbsp (30 ml) Fresh Basil Leaves, Finely Chopped: Adds herbaceous notes.; 1 tbsp (15 ml) Olive Oil: For basil oil drizzle.

Description

Indulge in a luxurious Mediterranean-inspired pasta dish featuring succulent shrimp in a creamy saffron sauce. This recipe delivers restaurant-quality flavor with a surprisingly simple preparation method.

Ingredients

Scale

250 g (8.8 oz) Linguine or Fettuccine: Dried pasta recommended for starch release.
300 g (10.5 oz) Raw Shrimp, Peeled and Deveined: Large or jumbo shrimp preferred.
2 tbsp (30 ml) Olive Oil: For sautéing garlic and shallots.
4 cloves Garlic, Minced: Freshly minced for optimal flavor.
1 small Shallot, Finely Chopped: Provides a milder onion flavor.
200 ml (3/4 cup) Heavy Cream: Use cream with at least 36% milkfat.
100 ml (1/2 cup) Whole Milk: Balances the richness of the cream.
1/4 tsp (1 pinch) Saffron Threads: Imparts color and floral flavor.
2 tbsp (30 ml) Warm Water: To steep saffron and release flavor.
1/2 tsp Smoked Paprika: Adds smoky depth.
1/4 tsp Salt: Kosher salt preferred.
1/4 tsp Freshly Ground Black Pepper: For sharper flavor.
2 tbsp (30 g) Grated Parmesan Cheese: Adds salty, umami flavor.
1 tbsp (15 g) Toasted Pine Nuts: Provides crunch and nutty flavor.
1 tbsp (15 ml) Lemon Juice: Brightens the sauce.
2 tbsp (30 ml) Fresh Basil Leaves, Finely Chopped: Adds herbaceous notes.
1 tbsp (15 ml) Olive Oil: For basil oil drizzle.

Instructions

Cook Pasta: Boil pasta until al dente, reserving 120ml (½ cup) pasta water.
Steep Saffron: Bloom saffron threads in warm water for 5+ minutes.
Sauté Aromatics: Sauté garlic and shallot in olive oil until fragrant.
Cook Shrimp: Cook shrimp until pink and opaque, about 2-3 minutes per side.
Create Sauce: Simmer cream, milk, saffron infusion, and smoked paprika.
Emulsify Sauce: Stir in Parmesan cheese and adjust consistency with pasta water.
Combine: Toss pasta with saffron cream sauce.
Finish & Serve: Fold in shrimp, drizzle with lemon-basil oil, and garnish with pine nuts and basil.

Notes

Reserving pasta water is key to creating a creamy, emulsified sauce. Don’t overcook the shrimp to avoid a rubbery texture.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Pasta
Method: Sauté
Cuisine: Mediterranean

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cup
Calories: 650 kcal
Sugar: 10 g
Sodium: 400 mg
Fat: 35 g
Saturated Fat: 20 g
Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 60 g
Fiber: 5 g
Protein: 30 g
Cholesterol: 150 mg

Keywords: pasta,shrimp,saffron,cream,garlic,italian,mediterranean,seafood