If you’ve ever wanted a recipe that’s guaranteed to make your taste buds do a happy dance, Marry Me Shrimp Pasta is the one! With rich, creamy sauce, succulent shrimp, crispy pancetta, and a perfect blend of seasonings, this dish is sure to steal your heart—and your dinner table. It’s everything you love about pasta, elevated to new heights with bold, savory flavors that will have you coming back for more. Plus, it’s surprisingly simple to make, so you can impress friends and family with little effort. Let’s dive into the deliciousness of this recipe, and I promise, it’s a keeper!
Why You’ll Love Marry Me Shrimp Pasta
This dish combines everything that makes a pasta dish irresistible: a creamy sauce, seasoned to perfection, tossed with tender shrimp and pancetta. Add some vibrant spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, and a sprinkle of Parmesan, and you’ve got a comfort food masterpiece that will make you fall in love at first bite. But it’s not just about the taste—it’s also about versatility! Mixing proteins like shrimp and pancetta into your favorite pasta recipes is a game-changer. The crispy pancetta adds a smoky, salty bite, while the shrimp brings a delicate sweetness to balance the richness of the creamy sauce. Whether it’s a weeknight dinner or a special occasion, this dish is a win every time.
Key Ingredients That Make This Dish So Special
To bring Marry Me Shrimp Pasta to life, you’ll need a few key ingredients. Don’t worry, nothing too fancy here—just a lineup of ingredients that come together to create a harmonious, mouth-watering dish. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Pasta: You can use any type of pasta you love, but I recommend a sturdy shape like penne or fettuccine to help hold up the creamy sauce.
- Shrimp: Fresh, deveined shrimp are the star of this recipe, so make sure to get good quality seafood for the best flavor.
- Pancetta: This crispy Italian cured meat adds savory depth to the dish. If you can’t find pancetta, bacon will do, but pancetta has a slightly milder, more delicate flavor.
- Heavy Cream: The base for our creamy sauce. It makes the sauce rich and smooth, creating that melt-in-your-mouth texture.
- Chicken Broth: Adds a subtle, savory depth to the sauce without overpowering it.
- Sun-Dried Tomatoes: These little bites of tangy sweetness bring a burst of flavor that balances the creaminess of the sauce.
- Parmesan Cheese: The final touch for that rich, salty bite.
- Spinach: A handful of fresh spinach adds color, nutrients, and a slight earthy flavor to the dish.
- Herbs and Spices: Paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, parsley, and a little salt and pepper are key for bringing this recipe to life!
Now that we’ve got our ingredients, let’s walk through the steps to create this culinary masterpiece.
Step-by-Step Guide to Making Marry Me Shrimp Pasta
Step 1: Cook the Pasta
Start by bringing a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add ½ lb of your favorite pasta (I recommend something hearty like penne or fettuccine). Cook the pasta until al dente, which usually takes around 8-10 minutes, depending on your pasta choice. Don’t forget to save about 1 cup of pasta water before draining the pasta. This will help make the sauce extra creamy later on.
Step 2: Crispy Pancetta Time
In a large pan over medium heat, cook 4 oz of pancetta until it’s nice and crispy. This step is key to bringing out the salty goodness of the pancetta. Once it’s done, remove it from the pan and place it on a paper towel to drain any excess grease. Set aside, and don’t worry—we’ll be adding it back later to give the dish its signature flavor!
Step 3: Season the Shrimp
Next, take 2 cups of raw, deveined shrimp and season them with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, parsley, and a drizzle of olive oil. Give them a good toss so they’re coated evenly with all those flavorful spices. This is where the magic begins!
Step 4: Cook the Shrimp
In the same pan you used for the pancetta, add 2 tbsp of butter. Once melted, toss the seasoned shrimp into the pan. Cook them on both sides until they’re pink and fully cooked through—this should only take about 2-3 minutes per side. Once done, remove the shrimp from the pan and set them aside with the pancetta.
Step 5: Sauté the Onion and Garlic
Now, in that same pan (we want all those delicious flavors to come together), add 1 small diced onion. Season it with a little salt and pepper, and cook until it turns translucent and soft, about 4-5 minutes. Once the onion is perfect, add 3 cloves of minced garlic and 3 oz of sun-dried tomatoes. Cook everything together for another minute or two, until the garlic becomes fragrant.
Step 6: Bring in the Creamy Sauce
This is where things get rich! Pour in 1 cup of heavy cream and ½ cup of chicken broth into the pan. Stir everything together and bring the mixture to a simmer. The sauce should begin to thicken up slightly. Now, season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and parsley to taste. Taste the sauce to make sure it’s seasoned perfectly—this is your opportunity to adjust the flavors to your liking!
Step 7: Add the Cheese, Spinach, and Proteins
Once the sauce is creamy and flavorful, it’s time to add the finishing touches. Stir in 1 cup of grated Parmesan cheese until it’s melted and fully incorporated into the sauce. Add in a generous handful of chopped spinach and let it wilt down into the sauce. Now, return the crispy pancetta and cooked shrimp to the pan, letting all those delicious flavors combine.
Step 8: Combine with Pasta
Now it’s time for the star of the show—your cooked pasta! Add it into the pan with the creamy sauce and toss everything together. If the sauce feels too thick, add some reserved pasta water a little at a time until it reaches the perfect creamy consistency.
Step 9: Top with Extra Parmesan and Parsley
To finish, top your dish with extra Parmesan cheese and a sprinkle of fresh parsley. This adds a pop of color and a final burst of flavor. Serve immediately, and enjoy the rich, savory deliciousness of your Marry Me Shrimp Pasta!
Tips and Tricks for the Best Marry Me Shrimp Pasta
- Use Fresh Shrimp: Fresh, high-quality shrimp will make a huge difference in flavor. If you can, get shrimp that’s already deveined to save yourself some prep time.
- Pasta Water is Magic: Don’t forget to save that pasta water! It’s the key to making the sauce silky and smooth. Add it a little at a time until you reach the perfect consistency.
- Add More Veggies: Feel free to mix in more veggies like mushrooms or bell peppers if you like. It’s a great way to make the dish even more colorful and nutritious!
- Make it Spicy: For a little heat, add some crushed red pepper flakes when you’re seasoning the shrimp. It’ll give the dish an extra kick without overpowering the flavors.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for a creamy, comforting pasta dish that’s full of flavor and guaranteed to impress, Marry Me Shrimp Pasta is the answer. With its rich, decadent sauce, perfectly seasoned shrimp, and crispy pancetta, it’s a meal that feels both luxurious and comforting. Whether you’re cooking for a date night, family dinner, or just because, this recipe will make you feel like a culinary superstar. Give it a try, and I promise, it might just be the recipe that wins your heart!