Ultimate 20-Minute Creamy Garlic Shrimp (Print Version)

Succulent shrimp simmered in a rich garlic cream sauce, ready in 20 minutes for quick meals.

# What You Need:

→ Seafood

01 - 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined

→ Vegetables & Aromatics

02 - 4 cloves garlic, finely minced
03 - 1 small shallot, finely chopped
04 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

→ Dairy

05 - 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
06 - 1 cup heavy cream
07 - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

→ Other

08 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
09 - 1/2 teaspoon paprika
10 - 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
11 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
12 - Juice of 1/2 lemon

# How-To Steps:

01 - Pat shrimp dry with paper towels and season evenly with salt, pepper, and paprika.
02 - Heat olive oil and 1 tablespoon butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add shrimp in a single layer and cook 1 to 2 minutes per side until just pink. Remove shrimp and set aside.
03 - Reduce heat to medium. Add remaining butter, shallot, and garlic to the skillet. Sauté for 1 to 2 minutes until fragrant and translucent.
04 - Pour in heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer. Stir in Parmesan cheese and crushed red pepper flakes, whisking until smooth and slightly thickened, about 2 to 3 minutes.
05 - Return shrimp along with any accumulated juices to the skillet. Toss to coat and cook for an additional 1 to 2 minutes until heated through.
06 - Stir in lemon juice and chopped parsley. Adjust seasoning as desired and serve immediately, garnished with additional parsley and lemon wedges if preferred.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It tastes like you spent all day cooking but comes together faster than most delivery apps.
  • The garlic cream sauce is dangerously good—you'll want to spoon it over everything.
  • It works equally well for a quiet Tuesday or when you need to impress someone without breaking a sweat.
02 -
  • Overcooking shrimp turns them rubbery, pull them the second they turn opaque and curl.
  • If your sauce looks thin, let it simmer another minute, the Parmesan needs time to melt and thicken.
  • Always finish with lemon juice off the heat, cooking it kills the brightness you're after.
03 -
  • Use a hot pan and don't move the shrimp around, let them develop a golden crust before flipping.
  • Freshly grated Parmesan melts smoother and won't clump like the pre-shredded stuff with anti-caking agents.
  • Taste the sauce before adding the shrimp back in, it's easier to adjust seasoning when the pan isn't crowded.
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