Description
Creamy Tuscan Shrimp is a rich, flavorful dish featuring tender shrimp cooked in a luscious garlic cream sauce with sun-dried tomatoes, fresh spinach, and basil. This quick skillet recipe blends Italian seasonings and lemon juice for a bright, savory meal perfect for an easy weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Shrimp and Sauce
- 1 pound shrimp (31-40 count size), thawed & peeled
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 teaspoon flour
- 4-5 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy/whipping cream
- 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1/4 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped or julienned (oil drained if packed in oil)
Greens and Garnish
- 1-2 cups packed fresh baby spinach
- Handful fresh basil, cut into thin strips
- Salt & pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the base: Melt the butter over medium-high heat in a large skillet. Stir in the flour and cook for about one minute until smooth, creating a light roux to thicken the sauce.
- Add garlic: Incorporate the minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
- Make the cream sauce: Pour in the heavy cream, then stir in lemon juice, Italian seasoning, and sun-dried tomatoes. Allow the mixture to simmer gently for 2 minutes, adjusting heat to avoid strong bubbling.
- Cook the shrimp: Add the peeled shrimp to the skillet and cook for about 5 minutes, until the shrimp turn pink and opaque, and the sauce slightly thickens. Avoid overcooking the shrimp to maintain tenderness.
- Add greens and finish: Toss in the baby spinach and fresh basil, cooking for an additional 2 minutes until the spinach wilts. Season with salt and pepper to taste, then serve immediately. Optionally, squeeze extra lemon juice or sprinkle freshly grated Parmesan cheese on top before serving.
Notes
- Sun-dried tomatoes used were packed in oil with the oil drained for a balanced flavor.
- Adjust the amount of sun-dried tomatoes to preference for more or less intensity.
- For extra brightness, add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice when serving.
- Parmesan cheese can be grated on top as an optional garnish to add extra richness.
