Description
Creamy Mozzarella Shrimp Pasta is a delicious and easy dish that combines shrimp, pasta, and a creamy mozzarella sauce.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz penne pasta (use gluten-free brown rice pasta if needed)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (from sun-dried tomatoes jar or regular olive oil)
- 1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 4 oz sun-dried tomatoes, drained and chopped
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 cup half-and-half
- 1 cup shredded low-moisture mozzarella (not fresh mozzarella)
- 1 tablespoon dried basil (more if using fresh)
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (to taste)
- ⅛ teaspoon paprika
- ½ cup reserved pasta water (or more as needed)
- ¼ teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve ½ cup of the pasta water, then drain.
- Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add shrimp and minced garlic in a single layer. Sprinkle with salt. Cook about 1 minute on the first side until pink/golden. Flip and cook 30–60 seconds more. Do not overcook. Remove shrimp to a plate, leaving the oil in the skillet.
- In the same skillet, add sun-dried tomatoes and garlic. Sauté for 1 minute until fragrant. Add half-and-half and bring to a gentle boil. Stir in shredded mozzarella quickly, then reduce to a simmer. Stir constantly until cheese melts into a creamy sauce. Add basil, red pepper flakes, paprika, and salt. If the sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water or a splash of half-and-half.
- Add drained pasta to the sauce and toss gently to coat. Add cooked shrimp back to the skillet. Simmer on low for a few minutes so flavors combine. Adjust salt if needed and thin sauce if necessary.
Notes
- Do not use fresh mozzarella; it will not melt properly into the sauce.
- If you don’t have half-and-half, substitute ½ cup milk + ½ cup heavy cream.
- Don’t overcrowd shrimp when searing to ensure a good golden color.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 632
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 1449 mg
- Fat: 23 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Carbohydrates: 63 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 43 g
- Cholesterol: 330 mg
Keywords: Creamy Mozzarella Shrimp Pasta, Shrimp Pasta, Italian Pasta Dish