Description
This Creamy Garlic Butter Shrimp recipe is a quick and elegant dish featuring succulent sautéed shrimp enveloped in a rich, velvety sauce made from garlic, butter, heavy cream, and Parmesan cheese. Ready in just 15 minutes, it’s perfect for a comforting weeknight dinner or a special occasion, served best over rice, mashed potatoes, or polenta.
Ingredients
Shrimp and Seasonings
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (26 g)
- 1 pound raw shrimp, peeled and deveined (450 g)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
Sauce
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 3/4 cup vegetable or chicken stock (180 ml)
- 1 cup heavy cream (240 ml)
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese (43 g)
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Cook the Shrimp: In a skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the shrimp and season with salt and pepper. Cook the shrimp until they turn opaque and are just cooked through, about 2-3 minutes per side depending on size. Remove the shrimp from the skillet and set aside.
- Make the Sauce: In the same skillet, add the minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Pour in the vegetable or chicken stock, bringing it to a simmer. Let it reduce slightly, about 3-4 minutes. Stir in the heavy cream and continue to cook until the sauce thickens slightly, about 2-3 minutes. Finally, stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until melted and combined.
- Combine: Return the cooked shrimp to the skillet and toss them gently to fully coat in the creamy garlic butter sauce. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if needed. Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley over the top for garnish.
- Serve: Serve the creamy garlic butter shrimp immediately over your choice of rice, mashed potatoes, or polenta for a comforting and elegant meal.
Notes
- Use peeled and deveined shrimp for the best texture and ease of cooking.
- Adjust the seasoning according to your taste, adding more salt or pepper as needed.
- You can substitute Parmesan cheese with Pecorino Romano for a sharper flavor.
- Serve immediately to enjoy the shrimp at their freshest and the sauce at its creamiest.
- For a lighter version, consider using half-and-half instead of heavy cream, but the sauce will be less rich.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
