🌟 Introduction
When it comes to quick, restaurant-quality dinners that feel indulgent but are secretly simple, nothing beats a skillet full of Creamy Garlic Shrimp. 🍤🧄 This dish is packed with buttery garlic flavor, a velvety cream sauce, and juicy shrimp—all ready in just 15 minutes from start to finish!
Perfect for weeknights, date nights, or an elegant dinner served over pasta, rice, or even roasted vegetables. This recipe gives you that luxurious taste of a seafood restaurant without the long prep or price tag.
For more quick seafood recipes or creamy skillet meals, be sure to browse our 15-Minute Recipes and the full Seafood Collection on RecipeService.net.
🛒 Ingredients
Here’s everything you need to make this creamy, garlicky masterpiece:
- 1 lb (450g) large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp unsalted butter
- 4–5 garlic cloves, minced
- ½ cup (120 ml) heavy cream
- ¼ cup (60 ml) chicken or vegetable broth
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- ½ tsp red chili flakes (optional for heat)
- 1 tbsp chopped parsley (for garnish)
- Juice of ½ lemon
Tip: Buy deveined shrimp with tails off for faster prep—especially useful on busy nights!
👩🍳 Directions
This recipe is lightning-fast, so have all ingredients ready before you begin!
🔥 Step 1: Prep the Shrimp
- Pat shrimp dry with paper towels.
- Season lightly with salt and pepper.
🍳 Step 2: Sauté the Shrimp
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add olive oil and butter.
- Once hot, add shrimp in a single layer.
- Sauté 1–2 minutes per side, or until pink and opaque.
- Remove shrimp and set aside.
🧄 Step 3: Build the Sauce
- In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium.
- Add minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Pour in broth and bring to a simmer, scraping up any brown bits from the pan.
🥛 Step 4: Add the Cream & Cheese
- Stir in heavy cream and Parmesan.
- Simmer for 2–3 minutes, stirring, until the sauce thickens.
🍤 Step 5: Return Shrimp to Sauce
- Add shrimp back into the skillet.
- Stir in lemon juice and red pepper flakes (if using).
- Simmer for 1 minute to reheat and coat shrimp in sauce.
🌿 Step 6: Garnish and Serve
- Sprinkle with chopped parsley.
- Serve immediately over pasta, rice, mashed potatoes, or crusty bread.
⏱️ Servings and Timing
- Servings: 4
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
🍽️ Variations
Looking to switch it up? Here are some delicious variations:
🍝 1. Creamy Garlic Shrimp Pasta
- Serve over cooked linguine or fettuccine.
- Add an extra ¼ cup cream for a more saucy pasta dish.
🥬 2. Low-Carb/Keto Version
- Serve over sautéed spinach, cauliflower rice, or zoodles.
🧄 3. Garlic-Lover’s Shrimp
- Use roasted garlic or double the garlic cloves for a bolder flavor.
🧈 4. Butter Cream Shrimp
- Replace olive oil with extra butter for an even richer sauce.
🍅 5. Tomato Cream Sauce
- Add 1 tbsp tomato paste to the broth for a creamy tomato-garlic twist.
🧊 Storage & Reheating
🧺 Storage
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
❄️ Freezing
- Not recommended—the cream sauce may separate.
🔥 Reheating
- Reheat gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat, adding a splash of broth or cream to loosen the sauce.
❓ 10 Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I use frozen shrimp?
Yes—just thaw and pat dry before cooking to avoid excess water in the pan.
2. Is heavy cream necessary?
Heavy cream creates the best texture, but you can substitute half-and-half or coconut cream for a lighter or dairy-free version.
3. Can I make this ahead?
It’s best served fresh, but you can prep ingredients (like peeling shrimp and mincing garlic) in advance.
4. What kind of shrimp should I buy?
Use raw, peeled, and deveined shrimp—medium to large size works best.
5. Can I add vegetables?
Absolutely! Try spinach, cherry tomatoes, or mushrooms for a veggie-packed version.
6. What wine pairs best?
A crisp white like Sauvignon Blanc or Chardonnay pairs wonderfully.
7. How can I thicken the sauce more?
Let it simmer longer or add a bit more Parmesan for a thicker texture.
8. Can I use cooked shrimp?
Yes, but just warm them briefly in the sauce to avoid rubbery texture.
9. What can I use instead of Parmesan?
Asiago, Pecorino, or even cream cheese in small amounts can work.
10. Can I make it spicy?
Yes—add chili flakes, cayenne, or hot sauce to taste!
🎯 Conclusion
This Creamy Garlic Shrimp is the epitome of a fast, flavorful dinner. 🧄🍤 In just 15 minutes, you get juicy shrimp wrapped in a luscious garlic cream sauce that feels like something you’d get at a fancy restaurant—but made entirely in your own kitchen.
It’s perfect for busy weeknights, impressive enough for guests, and easy enough for beginner cooks. Serve it over carbs or greens and enjoy every buttery, garlicky bite.
Need more quick dinners? Visit our 15-Minute Recipe Collection on RecipeService.net for time-saving meal magic.
Easy Creamy Garlic Shrimp – A 15-Minute Weeknight Wonder!
Ingredients
Method
- This recipe is lightning-fast, so have all ingredients ready before you begin!
- Pat shrimp dry with paper towels.
- Season lightly with salt and pepper.
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add olive oil and butter.
- Once hot, add shrimp in a single layer.
- Sauté 1–2 minutes per side, or until pink and opaque.
- Remove shrimp and set aside.
- In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium.
- Add minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Pour in broth and bring to a simmer, scraping up any brown bits from the pan.
- Stir in heavy cream and Parmesan.
- Simmer for 2–3 minutes, stirring, until the sauce thickens.
- Add shrimp back into the skillet.
- Stir in lemon juice and red pepper flakes (if using).
- Simmer for 1 minute to reheat and coat shrimp in sauce.
- Sprinkle with chopped parsley.
- Serve immediately over pasta, rice, mashed potatoes, or crusty bread.
Notes
Looking to switch it up? Here are some delicious variations: 🍝 1. Creamy Garlic Shrimp Pasta
Serve over cooked linguine or fettuccine. Add an extra ¼ cup cream for a more saucy pasta dish. 🥬 2. Low-Carb/Keto Version
Serve over sautéed spinach, cauliflower rice, or zoodles. 🧄 3. Garlic-Lover’s Shrimp
Use roasted garlic or double the garlic cloves for a bolder flavor. 🧈 4. Butter Cream Shrimp
Replace olive oil with extra butter for an even richer sauce. 🍅 5. Tomato Cream Sauce
Add 1 tbsp tomato paste to the broth for a creamy tomato-garlic twist. 🧊 Storage & Reheating
🧺 Storage
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. ❄️ Freezing
Not recommended—the cream sauce may separate. 🔥 Reheating
Reheat gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat, adding a splash of broth or cream to loosen the sauce. ❓ 10 Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I use frozen shrimp?
Yes—just thaw and pat dry before cooking to avoid excess water in the pan. 2. Is heavy cream necessary?
Heavy cream creates the best texture, but you can substitute half-and-half or coconut cream for a lighter or dairy-free version. 3. Can I make this ahead?
It’s best served fresh, but you can prep ingredients (like peeling shrimp and mincing garlic) in advance. 4. What kind of shrimp should I buy?
Use raw, peeled, and deveined shrimp—medium to large size works best. 5. Can I add vegetables?
Absolutely! Try spinach, cherry tomatoes, or mushrooms for a veggie-packed version. 6. What wine pairs best?
A crisp white like Sauvignon Blanc or Chardonnay pairs wonderfully. 7. How can I thicken the sauce more?
Let it simmer longer or add a bit more Parmesan for a thicker texture. 8. Can I use cooked shrimp?
Yes, but just warm them briefly in the sauce to avoid rubbery texture. 9. What can I use instead of Parmesan?
Asiago, Pecorino, or even cream cheese in small amounts can work. 10. Can I make it spicy?
Yes—add chili flakes, cayenne, or hot sauce to taste! 🎯 Conclusion
This Creamy Garlic Shrimp is the epitome of a fast, flavorful dinner. 🧄🍤 In just 15 minutes, you get juicy shrimp wrapped in a luscious garlic cream sauce that feels like something you’d get at a fancy restaurant—but made entirely in your own kitchen. It’s perfect for busy weeknights, impressive enough for guests, and easy enough for beginner cooks. Serve it over carbs or greens and enjoy every buttery, garlicky bite. Need more quick dinners? Visit our 15-Minute Recipe Collection on RecipeService.net for time-saving meal magic.
This was indeed quick a d delicious
After reading the other reviews, I felt comfortable using a splash of spaghetti sauce, finely shredded Colby Jack cheese and half and half. These were the ingredients I had on hand.
This truly was soooo easy to make, the level of taste was a pleasant surprise.
For a touch of crunch I used those fried onions, heated up in the airfryer and placed on top.