Best Marry Me Shrimp Pasta Recipe

There’s something magical about a creamy, flavor-packed pasta dish that can make anyone fall in love. This Marry Me Shrimp Pasta definitely lives up to its name! With juicy shrimp, sun-dried tomatoes, and a creamy parmesan sauce, it’s the kind of meal that might just earn you a proposal (or at least some serious compliments).

I created this recipe when David asked me to make something special for our anniversary, and now it’s become our go-to for date nights at home.

The best part? My kids Sophia and James, who can be pretty picky sometimes, absolutely cleaned their plates too! This gluten-free shrimp pasta recipe has all the indulgence of restaurant-quality pasta but comes together easily in your own kitchen.

If you love seafood pasta recipes with creamy sauces, you’ll definitely want to check out my Creamy Garlic Shrimp Pasta too!

Why You’ll Love This Marry Me Shrimp Pasta

Quick and Impressive This dish looks and tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen, but it comes together in just about 30 minutes.

Perfect Balance of Flavors The creamy sauce, tangy sun-dried tomatoes, and savory parmesan create an irresistible combination that’s both sophisticated and comforting.

Family-Friendly Option Even though it feels fancy enough for date night, this pasta has won over my kids who normally turn their noses up at “grown-up food.”

Ingredients for Marry Me Shrimp Pasta

For the Shrimp

• 1 pound extra large shrimp, peeled and deveined
• ½ tablespoon smoked paprika
• ¾ tablespoon Italian seasoning
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• ¾ teaspoon salt
• 1 ½ tablespoon sun-dried tomato oil (from the jar)

For the Sauce

• 2 ½ tablespoon tomato paste
• ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes, diced
• 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
• ⅓ teaspoon sweet smoked paprika
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¾ teaspoon dried basil
• 2 tablespoon gluten-free 1:1 flour
• 2 cups diced spinach
• 2 tablespoon butter
• 2 tablespoon minced onion
• 2 tablespoon minced garlic
• 2 cups vegetable broth
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup parmesan cheese
• Fresh basil, chopped (for garnish)
• 12 oz gluten-free penne

How to Make This Perfect Marry Me Shrimp Pasta

Preparing the Shrimp

1. Begin by boiling the pasta according to package directions for al dente while you prepare the rest of the dish.
2. In a medium bowl, toss the shrimp with smoked paprika, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper until evenly coated. The seasonings will create a beautiful crust on the shrimp when cooked.
3. Heat the sun-dried tomato oil in a large skillet over medium heat. The oil adds extra flavor compared to regular olive oil.
4. Cook the shrimp for two minutes on each side until they turn pink, become opaque, and form a C-shape. If they curl into an O-shape, they’ve been overcooked.
5. Remove the cooked shrimp from the pan and set aside. They’ll be added back to the dish at the end.

Making the Creamy Sauce

1. Using the same pan (don’t wash it all those shrimp flavors will enhance your sauce!), melt the butter over medium-low heat.
2. Add the garlic, onion, sun-dried tomatoes, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and dried basil. Cook for about two minutes until the mixture becomes fragrant and the onions turn translucent.
3. Sprinkle the flour over the aromatics and stir well to create a roux. This will help thicken your sauce.
4. Pour in the vegetable broth and heavy cream, then add the spinach. Stir continuously and cook until the sauce begins to thicken and the spinach starts to wilt, about 5 minutes.
5. Add the parmesan cheese and stir until completely melted and incorporated into the sauce.

Bringing It All Together

1. Carefully fold the cooked pasta into the sauce, making sure every piece gets coated.
2. Gently add the cooked shrimp back to the pan and stir just enough to combine everything.
3. Garnish with freshly chopped basil for a pop of color and fresh flavor.

Tips for Perfect Marry Me Shrimp Pasta

Don’t overcook the shrimp – Perfect shrimp should be C-shaped. If they curl into an O-shape, they’ve cooked too long and might become rubbery.

Reserve some pasta water – If your sauce becomes too thick, add a splash of the starchy pasta water to thin it out while maintaining the creamy texture.

Fresh vs. jarred garlic – While fresh minced garlic adds the best flavor, you can also use minced garlic from a jar if you’re in a hurry.

Choose the right pan – A large skillet with higher sides works best for this recipe, giving you enough room to toss everything together at the end.

Variations for Your Marry Me Pasta

Swap the protein – This dish works wonderfully with chicken, steak, scallops, or even lobster. Just adjust cooking times accordingly.

Make it spicier – Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to give this dish a kick.

Veggie additions – Try adding roasted red peppers, artichoke hearts, or sautéed mushrooms for extra vegetables.

Dairy-free option – Use coconut cream instead of heavy cream and a dairy-free parmesan alternative.

What to Serve With Marry Me Shrimp Pasta

This pasta dish is hearty enough to stand alone, but here are some delicious pairings:

• Roasted Baby Carrots with Honey for a sweet side
• Cheesy Garlic Baked Green Beans for extra vegetable goodness
• A simple side salad with lemon vinaigrette
• Garlic Parmesan Crusted Chicken (if you’re serving a crowd and want protein options)

FAQs About Marry Me Shrimp Pasta

Final Thoughts on This Special Marry Me Shrimp Pasta

This Marry Me Shrimp Pasta has saved me on countless evenings when I wanted to serve something special without spending hours in the kitchen. It’s become our go-to romantic dinner that satisfies everyone from my husband to my picky eaters.

The combination of juicy shrimp, creamy sauce, tangy sun-dried tomatoes, and wilted spinach creates a restaurant-quality meal that’s surprisingly simple to make at home.

Whether you’re cooking for a special date night, celebrating an anniversary, or just craving a delicious dinner, this pasta is bound to impress.

Have you tried this recipe? I’d love to hear how it turned out for you in the comments below

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