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–+ servings
Close-up of a creamy shrimp recipe with plump shrimp, cherry tomatoes, and wilted spinach in a rich sauce.

Quick Garlic Shrimp with Creamy Tomato Sauce

This easy shrimp recipe is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner. It features succulent shrimp in a creamy, garlicky sauce with burst cherry tomatoes and wilted spinach. Serve with lemon wedges for a bright finish.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Course: Dinner, Lunch, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Italian
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Shrimp
  • 1 lb shrimp peeled, deveined, heads and tails removed
For the Sauce
  • 2 tsp olive oil extra-virgin
  • Kosher salt
  • freshly ground black pepper
  • 3 tbsp butter
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1.5 cup cherry tomatoes halved
  • 3 cup baby spinach
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese freshly grated
  • 1/4 cup basil thinly sliced
For Serving
  • lemon wedges optional

Equipment

  • Large skillet

Method
 

  1. Season shrimp with salt and pepper.
  2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. When oil starts to shimmer, sear shrimp until golden, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat then set aside.
  3. Reduce heat to medium. Melt butter then stir-fry garlic until fragrant, for about a minute. Add the cherry tomatoes. Season with salt and pepper. Cook until the tomatoes start to burst.
  4. Add the spinach and cook until it starts to wilt.
  5. Add the heavy cream, Parmesan, and basil. Let it simmer then reduce heat to low. Cook for about 3 minutes or until the sauce thickens and is slightly reduced.
  6. Add back the shrimp and heat through. Garnish with more basil and squeeze lemon as desired.

Notes

This dish is best served immediately. You can prepare the sauce base ahead of time and reheat it before adding the shrimp for an even quicker meal.

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