Hello there! Today I’m excited to share one of my absolute favorite quick dinner recipes – an easy shrimp pasta without cream that’s just bursting with flavor! 🍝 This dish has become my go-to when I want something impressive yet simple to make.

Why You’ll Love This Shrimp Pasta

There’s something magical about combining succulent shrimp with perfectly cooked pasta. This recipe creates a light, flavorful sauce that coats every strand without relying on heavy cream. The result? A deliciously satisfying shrimp pasta that doesn’t leave you feeling weighed down! 😊

The beauty of this shrimp pasta is how quickly it comes together. In about 20 minutes, you can transform simple ingredients into a restaurant-quality meal that’ll have everyone asking for seconds.

Ingredients You’ll Need

For this wonderful shrimp pasta, gather:

250g pasta (any shape you prefer!)
350g shrimp (peeled and deveined)
4 tbsp olive oil
2 cloves of garlic (minced)
1/2 red pepper (sliced)
100g cherry tomatoes (halved)
15g butter
Fresh parsley (chopped)
Juice from 1/2 lemon
2 ladles of pasta water (this is crucial!)
Salt and pepper to taste
Sweet paprika
Chili (flakes or fresh, depending on your heat preference)
Gouda cheese (grated)

Making Your Shrimp Pasta Magic

Cook your pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook your pasta according to package directions until al dente. Remember to save some pasta water before draining!
Prepare the shrimp: Heat 2 tbsp of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat while the pasta cooks. Season your shrimp with salt, pepper, and a touch of sweet paprika, then cook for about 2 minutes per side until pink and just cooked through. Remove the shrimp and set aside.
Add the remaining olive oil to the sauce base in the same pan. Sauté the minced garlic for about 30 seconds until fragrant (be careful not to burn it!), then add the sliced red pepper and cook for 2-3 minutes.
Build the flavors: Add the cherry tomatoes and cook until they begin to burst, about 2-3 minutes. Season with a pinch of chili for a gentle heat.
Bring it all together: Return the shrimp to the pan. Add the butter, allowing it to melt and create a silky texture. Pour in the reserved pasta water (about 2 ladles) and the lemon juice, then stir to create a light sauce.
Finish your shrimp pasta: Add the drained pasta directly to the sauce, tossing everything together. The starchy pasta water will help the sauce cling to every bite of pasta and shrimp. Sprinkle with fresh parsley and grated Gouda cheese.

What Makes This Shrimp Pasta Special

What I absolutely love about this shrimp pasta recipe is how it creates a rich flavor profile without relying on cream. The combination of olive oil, butter, and starchy pasta water creates a silky emulsion that coats the pasta beautifully. The sweet red peppers and burst cherry tomatoes add brightness, while the lemon juice cuts through with just the right amount of acidity. 🍤

The Gouda cheese might seem like an unconventional choice for shrimp pasta, but trust me – it melts perfectly and adds a subtle nuttiness that complements the seafood wonderfully!

Customizing Your Shrimp Pasta

Feel free to make this shrimp pasta your own! Add some spinach for extra greens, or swap the Gouda for Parmesan if that’s what you have on hand. The beauty of this shrimp pasta recipe is its flexibility – as long as you keep the basic technique, you can adjust the flavors to suit your taste.

Not a fan of spice? Simply omit the chili. Want it more garlicky? Double the amount! This shrimp pasta works wonderfully as a canvas for your culinary creativity. 🌶️

Serving Suggestions

This shrimp pasta is a meal in itself, but if you’re hosting, pair it with a simple green salad and perhaps some crusty bread to soak up that delicious sauce. A glass of crisp white wine makes this everyday shrimp pasta feel like a special occasion! 🥂

I hope you enjoy making this easy, no-cream shrimp pasta as much as I enjoy sharing it with you. It’s proof that delicious food doesn’t need to be complicated – sometimes the simplest ingredients create the most memorable meals.

Bon appétit! 😋