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- 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined - 2 tablespoons olive oil - 4 cloves garlic, minced - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved - 1 cup fresh spinach, packed - 1 cup heavy cream - 1/2 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese - 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning - Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste - Fresh basil leaves for garnish When choosing shrimp, look for bright, clean shells. The shrimp should feel firm but not mushy. Smell them too; they should smell like the sea, not fishy. If you can, get shrimp from a trusted source. Fresh shrimp should be stored on ice and used quickly for best taste. You can use half-and-half or coconut cream instead of heavy cream. For cheese, try using cream cheese or a dairy-free option. Nutritional yeast can substitute for cheese taste without the dairy. Each alternative will change the flavor a bit, so taste as you go. {{ingredient_image_2}} Start by heating 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Once the oil shimmers, add 4 cloves of minced garlic. Sauté the garlic for about 1 minute until it smells good. Be careful not to brown it. Now, add 1 pound of peeled and deveined shrimp. Season the shrimp with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Cook for 2-3 minutes on each side. The shrimp should turn pink and opaque. Once done, take the shrimp out of the skillet and set them aside on a plate. In the same skillet, add 1 cup of halved cherry tomatoes. Cook them for 2-3 minutes, stirring often. The tomatoes will soften and burst, releasing their juices. Next, pour in 1 cup of heavy cream. Sprinkle in ½ cup of finely grated Parmesan cheese. Stir until the cheese melts into the cream. This forms a rich sauce. Add 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning and mix well. The sauce should be smooth and creamy. Toss in 1 cup of packed fresh spinach. Stir for 1-2 minutes until it wilts. Now, return the cooked shrimp to the skillet. Gently toss the shrimp in the creamy sauce. Heat everything for another 1-2 minutes until warm. Taste the sauce and add more salt or black pepper if needed. Just before serving, garnish with fresh basil leaves. This adds a nice pop of color and flavor. Enjoy your delicious meal! To make a creamy sauce, start with heavy cream. Use it to create a rich base. When you add Parmesan, stir well. This helps it melt evenly. Keep stirring until smooth. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of water or broth. This will help reach the right creaminess. When cooking shrimp, ensure they are dry. Pat them with a paper towel first. Heat the skillet until the oil shimmers. This helps cook the shrimp evenly. Cook them just until pink and opaque. Overcooking makes them rubbery. Always season shrimp well with salt and pepper for flavor. Taste your sauce as you cook. If you want it saltier, add more salt. For a bit of spice, consider adding red pepper flakes. Fresh herbs can also brighten the dish. Basil adds a lovely touch, but try parsley or oregano too. Adjust to what you enjoy most. Pro Tips Fresh Ingredients Matter: Always opt for fresh shrimp and spinach for the best flavor and texture in your dish. Control the Heat: Keep the heat at medium to prevent the garlic from burning, which can impart a bitter taste to the sauce. Parmesan Cheese Tip: For a creamier sauce, use freshly grated Parmesan cheese instead of pre-grated, as it melts better. Serving Suggestion: Pair this dish with crusty bread or over pasta to soak up the delicious creamy sauce. {{image_4}} You can make this dish even better by adding veggies. Bell peppers bring color and crunch. Zucchini adds a nice texture. Simply chop them up and add them when cooking the shrimp. This way, they cook until tender yet remain crisp. You can also toss in mushrooms or asparagus for more flavor. If you don't have shrimp, try chicken or scallops. For chicken, use bite-sized pieces. Cook them until they are golden brown. Scallops work well, too. They cook quickly and have a sweet flavor. Just remember, cooking times may vary, so adjust them as needed. To make this dish low-carb, skip the pasta or rice. Pair it with zucchini noodles instead. For a gluten-free version, ensure your Parmesan cheese is certified gluten-free. This allows you to enjoy the creamy sauce without worry. It still tastes rich and satisfying while fitting your diet needs. To store leftovers, wait for the dish to cool. Place the creamy Tuscan shrimp in an airtight container. This keeps the shrimp and sauce fresh. You can store it in the fridge for up to three days. Make sure to label the container with the date. When reheating, use a skillet over low heat. This helps maintain the creaminess of the sauce. Add a splash of water or cream if the sauce seems thick. Stir gently as it warms. This keeps the shrimp tender and the sauce smooth. You can freeze the dish, but some texture may change. Place the shrimp and sauce in a freezer-safe container. It can last up to two months in the freezer. To reheat, thaw it overnight in the fridge. Then, reheat gently in a skillet to restore some creaminess. Avoid freezing the dish with fresh spinach, as it may become mushy. Yes, you can use frozen shrimp. Just make sure to thaw them first. Place the shrimp in a bowl of cold water for about 15-20 minutes. This method works fast and keeps the shrimp fresh. After thawing, peel and devein them if needed. They will cook well in the creamy sauce, just like fresh shrimp. Creamy Tuscan shrimp pairs well with many sides. Here are some ideas: - Cooked pasta, like fettuccine or linguine - Rice, such as jasmine or basmati - Crusty bread to soak up the sauce - A fresh green salad with a light vinaigrette - Roasted vegetables for a healthy touch These options add variety and make your meal even more enjoyable. If your sauce feels too thin, don't worry! You have a few easy options: - Let the sauce simmer longer to reduce and thicken it. - Mix a tablespoon of cornstarch with cold water, then stir it in. - Add more grated Parmesan cheese, which will help thicken the sauce too. These methods will help you achieve the creamy texture you desire. In this blog post, we explored how to make creamy Tuscan shrimp. You learned about the key ingredients, like fresh shrimp and sauce options. I shared tips on achieving the perfect creamy texture and provided fun variations, like adding veggies or using different proteins. You can also follow the storage tips for leftovers. Remember, cooking should be fun and flexible. Use this guide to make the dish your own. Enjoy the flavors and impress your friends with your skills in the kitchen!

Creamy Tuscan Shrimp Skillet

A delicious and creamy shrimp dish with cherry tomatoes and spinach, perfect for a quick weeknight dinner.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Course Main Course
Cuisine Italian
Servings 4
Calories 400 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 cup fresh spinach, packed
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 0.5 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • to taste Salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • for garnish Fresh basil leaves

Instructions
 

  • Begin by heating the olive oil in a large, non-stick skillet over medium heat. Once the oil is shimmering, add the minced garlic and sauté for approximately 1 minute until it becomes fragrant but avoid browning it.
  • Gently introduce the shrimp to the skillet, generously seasoning them with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Cook for about 2-3 minutes on each side or until the shrimp are pink and opaque. Once cooked, remove the shrimp from the skillet and place them on a plate to keep warm.
  • In the same skillet, add the halved cherry tomatoes. Cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the tomatoes soften and begin to burst, releasing their juices.
  • Carefully pour in the heavy cream, then sprinkle in the grated Parmesan cheese. Stir continuously until the cheese has melted into the cream, creating a rich, cohesive sauce.
  • Add the Italian seasoning and mix well, ensuring that the sauce is smooth and creamy.
  • Toss in the fresh spinach, stirring for about 1-2 minutes until it wilts and becomes tender.
  • Return the cooked shrimp to the skillet, gently tossing them in the creamy sauce to ensure they are well-coated. Heat everything together for an additional 1-2 minutes until warmed through.
  • Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning with additional salt and black pepper as desired.
  • Just before serving, garnish the dish with fresh basil leaves for a burst of color and flavor.

Notes

Serve in shallow bowls with extra sauce and garnish for a vibrant presentation.
Keyword creamy, Italian, quick meal, shrimp, skillet