Imagine twirling your fork into a plate of perfectly cooked pasta, draped in a luxurious, creamy sauce, studded with succulent shrimp and bursts of fresh cherry tomatoes - this Creamy Greek Shrimp Pasta is not just a meal, it's a culinary journey to the sun-soaked shores of Greece! In just 30 minutes, you'll transform simple ingredients into a restaurant-worthy dish that will have your family and friends begging for seconds. Get ready to unlock the secret to an irresistible dinner that combines the richness of feta, the freshness of spinach, and the pure magic of Mediterranean flavors.
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 20 mins
Total Time: 30 mins
Cuisine: Greek
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 8 oz pasta of choice
- 1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled
- 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 2 cups spinach
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Fill a large pot with water and add a pinch of salt. Bring to a rolling boil over high heat.
- Add pasta to the boiling water and cook according to package instructions until al dente, typically 8-10 minutes. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water before draining.
- Pat shrimp dry with paper towels and season with salt and pepper.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add seasoned shrimp to the skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes per side until they turn pink and are just cooked through. Remove shrimp and set aside.
- In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium and pour in heavy cream. Simmer for 3-4 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Add crumbled feta cheese to the cream sauce and stir until mostly melted and incorporated.
- Add halved cherry tomatoes and spinach to the sauce. Cook for 1-2 minutes until spinach wilts.
- Return shrimp to the skillet and add cooked pasta. Gently toss to combine, adding reserved pasta water if sauce seems too thick.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper as needed.
- Serve hot, garnishing with extra feta cheese or fresh herbs like parsley if desired.
Tips
- Pasta Perfection: Always cook pasta al dente and reserve some pasta water - it helps create a silky, clingy sauce.
- Shrimp Secrets: Pat shrimp dry before cooking to ensure a beautiful golden sear and prevent steaming.
- Garlic Wisdom: Sauté garlic quickly to prevent burning, which can make it bitter.
- Cream Sauce Trick: Simmer cream on medium heat to prevent separation and achieve a smooth consistency.
- Feta Finesse: Add feta cheese off direct heat to maintain its crumbly texture.
- Fresh is Best: Use fresh, high-quality ingredients for the most vibrant flavors.
- Customize: Feel free to add herbs like dill or oregano for an extra Greek touch.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 550kcal
Carbohydrates: 35g
Protein: 35g
Fat: 32g
Saturated Fat: 18g
Cholesterol: 250mg
