Shrimp Pasta with Creamy Tomato White Wine Sauce

This Shrimp Pasta with Creamy Tomato White Wine Sauce is a luxurious yet easy seafood pasta dish that’s packed with juicy shrimp, a rich, slightly spicy tomato and white wine sauce, and a silky touch of cream. Perfect for cozy date nights, impressive dinner parties, or whenever you want a restaurant-worthy meal in just about 30 minutes.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

  • 1½ pounds wild caught shrimp, peeled, deveined, and patted dry

  • Kosher salt and fresh cracked black pepper

  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter

  • 4 cloves garlic, minced

  • 1 Calabrian chili, minced (or ½ teaspoon Calabrian chili paste or red pepper flakes)

  • ¾ cup dry white wine (like sauvignon blanc or pinot grigio)

  • 1 can (14.5 oz) petite diced tomatoes, undrained

  • 16 ounces linguine pasta

  • 1 cup heavy cream

  • ½ cup parmesan cheese, freshly grated (plus extra for serving)

  • ¼ cup Italian parsley, minced

Directions

  1. Boil Pasta Water:
    Set a large pot of salted water over high heat and bring to a boil.

  2. Season and Sauté Shrimp:
    Season the shrimp with salt and pepper. Melt butter in a large sauté pan over medium heat. Add the shrimp in a single layer and cook 1½ to 2 minutes per side. Remove to a plate.

  3. Start the Sauce:
    In the same skillet, add the minced garlic and Calabrian chili. Sauté for about 30 seconds. Add the wine and the full can of tomatoes with their juice. Bring to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes.

  4. Cook Pasta:
    While the sauce reduces, cook the linguine according to package instructions until al dente (about 10 minutes).

  5. Finish the Sauce:
    After the sauce has reduced, whisk in the heavy cream and parmesan cheese. Season with black pepper. Cook another 5 minutes to thicken. Return the shrimp to the skillet.

  6. Combine Pasta and Sauce:
    Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining the pasta. Add the drained pasta and chopped parsley to the sauce. Toss everything together, using reserved pasta water as needed to loosen the sauce.

  7. Serve:
    Serve immediately with extra grated parmesan cheese.

Nutrients

(Per serving, approx.)

  • Calories: 454 kcal

  • Protein: 23g

  • Fat: 17g

    • Saturated Fat: 10g

  • Carbohydrates: 48g

    • Fiber: 3g

    • Sugar: 4g

  • Sodium: 692mg

  • Cholesterol: 153mg

  • Potassium: 404mg

  • Vitamin A: 998 IU

  • Vitamin C: 16mg

  • Calcium: 176mg

  • Iron: 2mg

Why You’ll Love Shrimp Pasta with Creamy Tomato White Wine Sauce

There are countless reasons why Shrimp Pasta with Creamy Tomato White Wine Sauce will quickly earn a place among your favorite meals. First and foremost, it’s the incredible flavor combination. The shrimp, lightly seasoned and sautéed until perfectly tender, provide a sweet, briny contrast to the rich, slightly spicy tomato and white wine sauce. The cream smooths out the acidity of the tomatoes and wine, giving the dish a luxurious, silky finish.

The second reason is the straightforward preparation. Despite the complex, layered flavors, this dish is surprisingly simple to make. Most of the work is done in one skillet while the pasta cooks, making cleanup a breeze. With easy-to-follow steps and everyday ingredients, even a novice cook can create a dish that tastes sophisticated and elegant.

Additionally, this pasta is endlessly versatile. You can adjust the level of spice, substitute other types of pasta like fettuccine or spaghetti, or add vegetables like spinach, peas, or roasted peppers to customize the meal to your tastes or pantry availability.

Finally, it’s a dish that feels indulgent but still includes wholesome, fresh ingredients, making it a balanced and satisfying option for a wide range of occasions.

Health Benefits of Shrimp Pasta with Creamy Tomato White Wine Sauce

While Shrimp Pasta with Creamy Tomato White Wine Sauce leans into its luxurious, creamy character, it still offers some noteworthy nutritional benefits. Shrimp is a fantastic source of lean protein, providing about 23 grams per serving. It’s low in calories and fat while being rich in essential nutrients like selenium, Vitamin B12, and iodine, which support thyroid function and overall metabolic health.

Tomatoes are rich in antioxidants, particularly lycopene, which has been linked to heart health and reduced risk of certain cancers. They are also an excellent source of Vitamin C, potassium, and fiber. Even when cooked, tomatoes retain many of their beneficial properties, making the sauce both delicious and health-promoting.

The addition of garlic adds more than just flavor—it brings powerful antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, as well as potential benefits for heart health.

While the heavy cream and parmesan cheese add richness, they also contribute valuable calcium for strong bones and Vitamin A for immune support. Moderation is key, and in this dish, the cream is used thoughtfully to enhance texture without overpowering the other vibrant flavors.

By pairing this pasta with a simple green salad or roasted vegetables, you can create a well-rounded meal that satisfies body and soul.

Customizing Your Shrimp Pasta with Creamy Tomato White Wine Sauce

One of the great advantages of this recipe is its adaptability. While it’s perfect as written, you can make small changes to suit your tastes or what’s in your pantry.

For a different protein, you could easily swap in scallops, chunks of firm white fish like cod or halibut, or even shredded rotisserie chicken. Vegetarian variations could include sautéed mushrooms, roasted zucchini, or artichoke hearts, keeping the sauce and pasta base intact.

You can also adjust the spice level to your liking. If you prefer a milder dish, simply omit the Calabrian chili or replace it with a pinch of sweet paprika. For those who love a fiery kick, add more chili paste or a few dashes of hot sauce.

Changing up the pasta type is another easy tweak. Linguine is classic, but spaghetti, tagliatelle, or even penne work beautifully. Gluten-free pasta can be substituted seamlessly for those with dietary restrictions.

For a touch of extra flavor, consider finishing the dish with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice or a dusting of lemon zest just before serving. It will brighten the sauce and enhance the seafood’s natural sweetness.

Perfect for Any Occasion

Shrimp Pasta with Creamy Tomato White Wine Sauce is the ultimate versatile dish that fits beautifully into a range of dining occasions. For date nights, it sets a romantic tone with its luxurious flavors and elegant presentation. For dinner parties, it wows guests without chaining you to the stove for hours.

It’s also a fantastic option for family dinners when you want to elevate a weeknight meal into something special. The comforting combination of pasta and creamy sauce, punctuated by juicy shrimp, appeals to both adults and older kids, making it a family-friendly choice.

Since it reheats reasonably well, it can even be prepared slightly ahead of time if needed. Just reserve some pasta water and reheat gently with a splash to loosen the sauce and bring the dish back to silky perfection.

Tips for Making the Best Shrimp Pasta with Creamy Tomato White Wine Sauce

Use high-quality shrimp. Wild-caught shrimp tend to have better flavor and texture than farmed varieties. Make sure they are peeled, deveined, and patted dry before cooking to achieve the best sear.

Don’t overcook the shrimp. Shrimp cook very quickly—just 1½ to 2 minutes per side is sufficient. Overcooked shrimp become rubbery, so watch them closely and remove from the heat as soon as they turn opaque and pink.

Choose a dry white wine you enjoy drinking. Since the wine concentrates as it cooks, its flavor becomes more pronounced in the sauce. A crisp, citrusy Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio works beautifully.

Don’t rush reducing the sauce. Letting the wine and tomatoes simmer ensures a more concentrated, flavorful base before you add the cream.

Reserve pasta water. The starchy pasta water is key for adjusting the consistency of the sauce at the end. It helps bind the sauce to the noodles without thinning out the flavor.

Grate your own Parmesan. Pre-grated cheese often includes anti-caking agents that can affect melting. Freshly grated Parmesan melts more smoothly and adds a richer taste.

Nutritional Value Overview

Each serving of Shrimp Pasta with Creamy Tomato White Wine Sauce provides approximately 454 calories, making it a hearty but balanced meal. It offers about 23 grams of high-quality protein to support muscle maintenance and energy. Fat content is about 17 grams, including healthy unsaturated fats and a moderate amount of saturated fat from cream and butter.

Carbohydrates total around 48 grams per serving, providing sustained energy, with 3 grams of fiber aiding in digestion. It also delivers valuable micronutrients, including potassium, calcium, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, and iron, supporting everything from bone health to immune function.

The sodium content is approximately 692 milligrams, making it a good idea to use low-sodium broth or unsalted butter if you are watching your salt intake.

Conclusion

Shrimp Pasta with Creamy Tomato White Wine Sauce is the perfect marriage of simplicity and sophistication. It offers juicy, tender shrimp nestled in a luscious tomato and white wine sauce enriched with a touch of cream, all wrapped around strands of tender linguine. Every bite is a harmonious blend of savory, sweet, creamy, and spicy notes that dance across the palate.

Whether you are making it for a romantic evening, a gathering of friends, or a well-deserved personal indulgence, this pasta delivers restaurant-quality results without the fuss. Easy, versatile, and utterly delicious, it’s a recipe that promises to become a cherished favorite in your kitchen.

Next time you’re craving a special meal that doesn’t take hours to prepare, reach for Shrimp Pasta with Creamy Tomato White Wine Sauce—it’s guaranteed to impress with every luxurious, flavorful forkful.

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