Marry Me Shrimp Recipe
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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.
Made this for dinner tonight. It was absolutely delish.. my husband told me that next time I have to double the recipe. No leftovers tonight.
Yay! SO happy this was such a huge hit โฅ๏ธ.