If you’re craving a dish that’s bursting with rich flavors and creamy goodness, then you’re in for a treat with this Marry Me Shrimp Pasta Recipe. I absolutely love how this pasta comes together with tender shrimp swimming in a luscious sun-dried tomato cream sauce that’s just begging to impress. Trust me, whether you’re making it for a cozy weeknight dinner or a special occasion, it hits all the right notes to become a new favorite in your recipe stash. Stick with me—I’ll walk you through every step to make sure yours turns out just as fan-freaking-tastic as mine!

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Rich, Creamy Flavor: The sun-dried tomato cream sauce is velvety and packed with savory depth you won’t get from everyday pasta dishes.
Quick and Easy: From start to finish, this recipe comes together in about 30 minutes—perfect for busy nights or last-minute impressing.
Crowd-Pleaser: My family goes crazy for this, and it’s always a hit when friends come over.
Versatile and Fresh: The spinach and fresh basil keep it feeling bright and balanced instead of heavy.

The dish shows rigatoni pasta mixed with creamy orange-colored sauce, with visible pieces of cooked shrimp and wilted dark green spinach leaves spread evenly throughout. Small bits of sun-dried tomatoes and grated white cheese are sprinkled on top. The pasta and shrimp have a smooth, slightly shiny texture, while the spinach adds contrast with its soft, leafy texture. The food is served in a white bowl placed on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Marry Me Shrimp Pasta, shrimp pasta with sun-dried tomato sauce, creamy shrimp pasta recipe, easy shrimp seafood pasta, romantic pasta dinner ideas

Ingredients You’ll Need

This Marry Me Shrimp Pasta Recipe uses ingredients that complement each other beautifully, creating such a flavorful sauce that coats every bite perfectly. When shopping, look for quality sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil (they make all the difference!), fresh shrimp, and good Parmesan cheese to really elevate the dish.

Flat lay of plump large shrimp, vibrant sun-dried tomatoes sliced with glossy tomato oil, fresh baby spinach leaves, finely chopped garlic cloves, a small pile of rigatoni pasta, a spoonful of rich red tomato paste, grated Parmesan cheese mounded in a neat heap, and fresh torn basil leaves scattered gently, placed on a white marble surface, photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Marry Me Shrimp Pasta, shrimp pasta with sun-dried tomato sauce, creamy shrimp pasta recipe, easy shrimp seafood pasta, romantic pasta dinner ideas

Sun-dried tomatoes: Opt for the kind packed in oil for richer flavor, and be sure to slice them thinly so they blend nicely into the sauce.
Tomato oil: Use oil from the sun-dried tomato jar for extra tomato richness and to cook your shrimp.
Shrimp: Large, peeled, deveined, and tails off makes eating easy and the shrimp cook evenly.
Kosher salt: Use generously to season both your shrimp and pasta water—remember, salt is your flavor enhancer.
Freshly ground black pepper: Adds a slight kick and brightness that balances the creamy sauce.
Rigatoni or penne pasta: Their ridged surface holds the creamy sauce beautifully.
Garlic: Finely chopped, to infuse subtle warmth into the sauce.
Tomato paste: Gives deep umami flavor and color to the sauce when cooked down.
Crushed red pepper flakes: Just a pinch to add a gentle, warming heat.
Low-sodium chicken broth: I prefer low sodium so you control the saltiness better during cooking.
Heavy cream: The secret to that indulgent, silky texture everyone loves.
Italian seasoning: A blend of herbs adding fragrance and dimension—think oregano, basil, thyme.
Baby spinach: Added at the end to wilt into the sauce for freshness and color.
Parmesan cheese: Finely grated to melt evenly and boost flavor; don’t skip the extra for serving!
Fresh basil: Torn and sprinkled on top to add a fragrant pop of green and freshness.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

I love getting creative with this Marry Me Shrimp Pasta Recipe depending on what’s in my fridge or my mood. Don’t be afraid to make it your own—it’s super flexible and still so delicious!

Vegetarian Version: I’ve swapped shrimp with sautéed mushrooms or chickpeas when I want a meatless dinner, and it still feels indulgent.
Spicy Kick: Crank up the crushed red pepper flakes or add a dash of smoked paprika for a smoky heat that wakes up your taste buds.
Greens Swap: Baby kale or arugula can replace spinach for a peppery or heartier green option.
Protein Swap: For a twist, try cooked chicken breast or scallops instead of shrimp—both work beautifully in this creamy sauce.

How to Make Marry Me Shrimp Pasta Recipe

Step 1: Sear the Shrimp to Perfection

Start by heating 2 tablespoons of that flavorful tomato oil in a large heavy skillet over medium-high heat. Season your shrimp well with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper—this seasoning is your foundation. Cook the shrimp just until they’re pink and opaque, about 3 minutes, stirring occasionally so they cook evenly. Don’t overcook here; shrimp turn rubbery if left in the hot pan too long. Once done, transfer them to a plate or bowl to keep warm.

Step 2: Cook Pasta Until Just Al Dente

While those shrimp are cooking, get a large pot of salted water boiling. I like adding plenty of salt here because the pasta water seasons the noodles inside and out. Cook your rigatoni or penne according to the package, aiming for al dente—still with a little bite but tender enough to soak up sauce. Drain well once done, and set aside.

Step 3: Build the Sauce in the Same Skillet

Don’t clean that shrimp pan yet! Keep the flavor and cook your sauce by adding the remaining 2 tablespoons of tomato oil to the skillet over medium heat. Toss in finely chopped garlic, tomato paste, and crushed red pepper flakes. Stir the mixture until the tomato paste deepens in color—about 1 minute—this step intensifies the sauce’s flavor. Then, fold in your sliced sun-dried tomatoes, chicken broth, heavy cream, and Italian seasoning. Bring it all to a gentle simmer, scraping up any browned bits on the bottom with your spoon; these bits are packed with flavor. Let the sauce reduce slightly, stirring occasionally, for about 5 minutes until silky and thickened.

Step 4: Wilt Spinach and Finish the Pasta

Now add the baby spinach to the sauce and stir until it wilts—only 1 to 2 minutes. Then, toss in your drained pasta, cooked shrimp, and finely grated Parmesan cheese. Stir everything together to coat the pasta fully in that gorgeous sauce, until it’s glossy and irresistible. Taste and season with salt and pepper as needed. Turn off the heat, cover the skillet, and let it rest a couple of minutes. This rest time lets the flavors marry beautifully (see what I did there?). Give it a final stir to coat everything before serving.

Step 5: Serve with Fresh Basil and More Parmesan

Serve this Marry Me Shrimp Pasta hot, sprinkled generously with torn fresh basil leaves and a little extra Parmesan. The fresh basil adds brightness that perfectly complements the creamy sauce and rich shrimp—you’ll want to pile it on!

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Pro Tips for Making Marry Me Shrimp Pasta Recipe

Don’t Overcook the Shrimp: Keep a close eye on the shrimp—it only takes a few minutes, and overcooking can make them tough instead of tender.
Save That Tomato Oil: Using the oil from the sun-dried tomatoes to cook shrimp and garlic adds incredible depth; don’t pour it out!
Season Gradually: Add salt in stages—first to shrimp, then pasta water, then sauce—so you don’t oversalt but still get balanced flavor.
Rest Before Serving: Letting the pasta sit covered off heat for a couple of minutes helps the sauce cling better and flavors meld.

How to Serve Marry Me Shrimp Pasta Recipe

The dish is a bowl of rigatoni pasta mixed with cooked shrimp and spinach, all covered in a creamy orange sauce. The rigatoni is tubular with ridges, light yellow with the sauce coating them. The shrimp are plump and pale pink, scattered evenly throughout the pasta. The fresh green spinach leaves add color and texture, some folded into the pasta. Small pieces of what looks like sundried tomatoes are mixed in, giving a reddish contrast. The dish is sprinkled with a light layer of grated cheese on top. A woman's hand holding a silver fork lifts some pasta and spinach above the bowl. The bowl is white with a thin brown rim, resting on a white marbled surface with a blue background. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Marry Me Shrimp Pasta, shrimp pasta with sun-dried tomato sauce, creamy shrimp pasta recipe, easy shrimp seafood pasta, romantic pasta dinner ideas

Garnishes

I always top my Marry Me Shrimp Pasta with fresh torn basil—it adds a burst of freshness and a lovely aroma right at the table. A sprinkle of extra Parmesan cheese is non-negotiable in my book to boost the savory profile. Sometimes, I add a little flaky sea salt at the end for a touch of crunch that totally elevates each bite.

Side Dishes

This pasta shines best with simple, complementary sides. My go-to’s are a crisp green salad with lemon vinaigrette or roasted asparagus tossed with olive oil and garlic. Warm, crusty bread is also essential—it’s perfect for mopping up any leftover sauce! If you want a heartier meal, garlic roasted potatoes or a light vegetable medley works beautifully too.

Creative Ways to Present

For special dinners, I’ve served this dish family-style right in the skillet, letting everyone dig in around the table—that’s always a crowd-pleaser. Another fun idea is plating it with a little sprig of basil and a lemon wedge on the side for a bit of color and brightness. If you like, add a drizzle of good-quality olive oil over the top just before serving for an elegant touch.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store any leftover Marry Me Shrimp Pasta in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. The sauce thickens as it chills, so I recommend reheating gently with a splash of chicken broth or cream to bring it back to that perfectly saucy texture.

Freezing

Freezing shrimp pasta can be tricky because shrimp can become rubbery. I usually freeze the sauce and pasta separately when possible, then add freshly cooked shrimp when reheating. If you must freeze the whole dish, do so in portions and thaw overnight in the fridge for best results.

Reheating

To reheat, gently warm the pasta in a skillet over medium-low heat with a splash of broth or cream, stirring frequently to prevent drying out. This keeps the shrimp tender and the sauce silky. Avoid microwaving for best texture, but if you do, add a little liquid and cover to steam the pasta evenly.

FAQs

Can I use frozen shrimp for this Marry Me Shrimp Pasta Recipe?

Absolutely! Just make sure to thaw them completely and pat dry before cooking to avoid excess moisture that can affect the sauce consistency. Fresh or thawed shrimp both work well as long as you don’t overcook them.
What pasta works best in Marry Me Shrimp Pasta Recipe?

Pasta with ridges and tubes like rigatoni or penne are perfect because they hold onto the sauce nicely. But I’ve also used farfalle or even fettuccine with great success. Just make sure to cook it al dente for the best texture.
Can I make this recipe dairy-free?

Yes! Swap the heavy cream with full-fat coconut milk or cashew cream, and use nutritional yeast or a dairy-free Parmesan alternative for a similar richness and cheesy flavor. The sauce will still be creamy and delicious!
How do I prevent the sauce from breaking?

Keep heat on medium to low once you add the cream to avoid overheating which can cause curdling. Also, stirring regularly as the sauce simmers helps maintain a smooth, velvety texture.

Final Thoughts

This Marry Me Shrimp Pasta Recipe has become one of my all-time favorites because it’s that perfect balance of comfort and elegance, with fresh ingredients and a sauce that feels like a warm hug. When I first tried it, I was instantly hooked, and now it’s my go-to when I want to wow without spending hours in the kitchen. I hope you’ll find it just as irresistible and easy to make—it’s definitely worth adding to your rotation for those days you want to treat yourself or impress loved ones. Grab your skillet, and let’s get cooking!