Description
This Creamy Tuscan Shrimp recipe is a rich and flavorful dish featuring tender shrimp cooked in a luscious garlic cream sauce with sun-dried tomatoes, fresh spinach, and basil. Perfect for a quick yet indulgent dinner, it combines Italian-inspired flavors with a creamy texture that pairs wonderfully with pasta, rice, or crusty bread.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Shrimp and Sauce
- 1 pound shrimp (31-40 count size) thawed & peeled
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 teaspoon flour
- 4-5 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy/whipping cream
- 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1/4 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped or julienned (oil drained if packed in oil)
Greens and Seasonings
- 1-2 cups (packed) fresh baby spinach
- Handful fresh basil, cut into thin strips
- Salt & pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the base: Melt the butter over medium-high heat in a large skillet. Add the flour and cook for about a minute while stirring continuously until the mixture becomes smooth and slightly golden, creating a roux to thicken the sauce.
- Add garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds or until the garlic becomes fragrant, ensuring it doesn’t burn to maintain a fresh flavor.
- Create the sauce: Pour in the heavy cream along with lemon juice, Italian seasoning, and the chopped sun-dried tomatoes. Reduce heat to simmer gently and cook for 2 minutes to meld the flavors and slightly thicken the sauce, adjusting the heat if the mixture bubbles too vigorously.
- Cook the shrimp: Add the shrimp to the skillet and cook for around 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the shrimp turn pink and are cooked through, and the sauce has thickened to a creamy consistency. Be careful not to overcook to keep shrimp tender.
- Add greens and finish: Stir in the fresh baby spinach and basil, cooking for an additional 2 minutes until the spinach is wilted and vibrant. Season with salt and pepper to taste, and remove from heat.
- Serve: Serve immediately, optionally squeezing extra lemon juice over the top or grating fresh Parmesan cheese to enhance the flavor further.
Notes
- Sun-dried tomatoes used were packed in oil; the oil was drained before adding. You can adjust the quantity of sundried tomatoes according to your taste preference.
- To add extra flavor, consider topping with freshly grated Parmesan cheese when serving.
- Serve this dish over pasta, rice, or with crusty bread for a complete meal.
- Do not overcook the shrimp to maintain their tenderness and prevent rubbery texture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe (approximately 150g)
- Calories: 330 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 5 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 190 mg
