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A silky, sun-kissed marry me shrimp dish, perfect for tossing with pasta, spooning over rice, creamy polenta, or soaking up with Italian bread. Quick 20-minute meal that’s weeknight-friendly with an elegant twist!
You’ll love my marry me butter beans, shrimp pasta, and creamy sundried tomato pasta.
Quick Look at This Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 12–15 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Servings: 4
- Dietary Info: Gluten-free; easily adaptable for dairy-free
- Method: Stovetop
- Technique: Pan-searing + gentle cream reduction
- Flavor/Texture: Creamy, garlicky, sun-dried tomato–forward with lemon-bright finish; tender shrimp
Why you’ll love this one pan shrimp recipe!
This is the shrimp dish I make when I want something fast but restaurant-quality. The sauce tastes like sunshine—creamy, garlicky, kissed with lemon, basil, and those intensely flavored sun-dried tomatoes. It’s a 20-minute meal that feels special enough to say “marry me” and yes, it’s absolutely bread-dipping worthy.
Try my Redrock Grilled Shrimp Recipe and Easy Pan Seared Shrimp Recipe with Garlic Butter next time.
Made With Amore,
Table of Contents
Ingredients for Marry Me Shrimp
- Large shrimp — mild, sweet, and perfect for soaking up the creamy sauce.
- Shallot and garlic — build the savory base.
- Red pepper flakes — gentle heat to balance richness.
- Smoked paprika — warmth and color.
- Sun-dried tomatoes — concentrated, sweet-tart flavor.
- Tomato paste — deepens the sauce.
- Broth — thins and balances the cream.
- Heavy cream — silky texture.
- Parmigiano (Parmesan cheese)— nutty, salty richness.
- Italian seasoning — classic Mediterranean flavor.
- Lemon zest & juice — adds freshness.
- Spinach — color and softness.
- Fresh basil — the final Italian touch.
- Salt and Black pepper to taste.
See the recipe card for exact quantities.
Substitutions and Variations
- Protein swap: Chicken cutlets or scallops cook beautifully in this sauce.
- Lighter version: Use half-and-half + an extra splash of broth.
- Tomato-forward: Add ½ cup cherry tomatoes to sauté with the shallot.
- Spicy: Increase red pepper flakes or add Calabrian chili paste.
- Cheesier: Add extra parm or a spoonful of mascarpone for silkiness. You’ll love my easy cheese sauce for pasta.
How To Make Marry Me Shrimp
This is a step-by-step photo overview of this easy shrimp skillet recipe; the full instrcutions are in the recipe card below.
Step #1: Season & Sear the Shrimp: Pat shrimp dry with clean paper towels and season with salt, pepper, and smoked paprika—heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
Step #2: Sear shrimp 1–2 minutes per side until just opaque. Remove to a plate (they will finish cooking in the sauce).
Step #3: Build the Sauce: Reduce heat to medium. Add the shallot and sauté 2–3 minutes until soft. Add garlic and red pepper flakes; cook 30 seconds. Stir in sun-dried tomatoes and tomato paste; cook 1 minute to deepen flavor.
Step #4: Add Liquids & Cream: Pour in broth and simmer 2–3 minutes. Add heavy cream, parmigiano, and Italian seasoning.
Step #5: Stir until the cheese melts into a glossy sauce.
Step #6: Stir in spinach, lemon zest, lemon juice, and basil.
Step #7: Finish: Return the cooked and seasoned shrimp to the pan and simmer 2–3 minutes until coated and cooked through.
Step #8: Taste and adjust seasoning. Serve: Serve immediately with pasta, rice, crusty Italian bread, or roasted potatoes.
For shrimp pasta: bring a large pot of water to a boil and cook until al dente, and then toss with sauce for pasta perfection!
My Pro Tips
Recipe Tips
- Pat the shrimp very dry for the best sear.
- Don’t overcook shrimp—pull them early and finish in the sauce.
- Simmer the sauce gently; boiling can break dairy.
- Add parm off the heat if your sauce feels too hot—prevents clumping.
- Lemon zest is essential—it lifts the entire dish.
FAQ’s
Yes, thaw completely, pat dry, and follow the recipe for the best sear.
Because the creamy sun-dried tomato sauce is irresistible—legend says it’s delicious enough to inspire a proposal.
Use coconut cream + nutritional yeast, but flavor will be slightly different.
Refrigerate up to 2 days. Seafood is best eaten quickly.
Low heat on the stovetop with a splash of broth or cream—never microwave on high (toughens shrimp).
More Delcious Shrimp Recipes
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Marry Me Shrimp Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 ½ pounds large shrimp, peeled and deveined (tails on or off)
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika, optional for warmth
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 small shallot, finely chopped
- 2-4 cloves garlic, finely chopped
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes, use less for mild
- ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes, drained and chopped
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- ¾ cup chicken broth, or vegetable broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup freshly grated parmigiano cheese
- 1 teaspoon homemade Italian seasoning
- 1 cup fresh spinach, roughly chopped
- Zest of 1 lemon + 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- ¼ cup fresh basil leaves, torn
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Season & Sear the Shrimp: Pat shrimp dry and season with salt, pepper, and smoked paprika. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear shrimp 1–2 minutes per side until just opaque. Remove to a plate (they will finish cooking in the sauce).
- Build the Sauce: Reduce heat to medium. Add the shallot and sauté 2–3 minutes until soft. Add garlic and red pepper flakes; cook 30 seconds. Stir in sun-dried tomatoes and tomato paste; cook 1 minute to deepen flavor.
- Add Liquids & Cream: Pour in broth and simmer 2–3 minutes. Add heavy cream, parmigiano, and Italian seasoning. Stir until the cheese melts into a glossy sauce.
- Finish: Stir in spinach, lemon zest, lemon juice, and basil. Allow spinach to wilt into the sauce (2-3 minutes). Return shrimp to the pan and simmer 2–3 minutes until coated and cooked through. Taste and adjust seasoning.
- Serve: Serve immediately with pasta, rice, crusty Italian bread, or roasted potatoes.
Notes
- Pat the shrimp very dry for the best sear.
- Don’t overcook shrimp—pull them early and finish in the sauce.
- Simmer the sauce gently; boiling can break dairy.
- Add parm off the heat if your sauce feels too hot—prevents clumping.
- Lemon zest is essential—it lifts the entire dish.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
