15-Minute Creamy Garlic Shrimp (Easy Affordable Dinner)

Wondering how to pull together an Easy Affordable Dinner that looks (and tastes) like you spent way more time on it? This 15-minute creamy garlic shrimp recipe is your new secret weapon. Tender shrimp, a silky garlic-parmesan sauce, and minimal fuss — it’s fancy enough for guests and simple enough for weeknights. Ready?

Brief introduction to the recipe

If you crave something fast, rich, and restaurant-worthy, this is it. The pan builds flavor fast: sear the shrimp, make a quick garlic-thyme cream, toss it all together, and dinner’s done. No long marinades, no complicated steps, just bold flavor in minutes. Perfect for evenings when you want to impress without the elbow grease.

Why you’ll love this recipe

• Speed: Dinner on the table in about 15 minutes.
• Minimal cleanup: One pan, one spoon, zero drama.
• Versatile: Serve it over rice, pasta, bread, or eat it solo.
• Budget-friendly: A real Cheap But Good Dinner Idea when you want splurge flavor on a small budget.
  Who doesn’t love that combo?

The Key Ingredients (and Why You Need Them)

Below I list the main components — no amounts here. I’ll explain what each one does so you can tweak confidently.

• Shrimp: The star. Quick-cooking protein that soaks up garlic and cream. Use large, peeled, deveined shrimp for the best texture.
• Olive oil + butter: Oil gives a hot sear; butter adds richness and a silky mouthfeel to the sauce.
• Garlic: This is a Simple Shrimp Meal game-changer. Use fresh garlic for the brightest flavor.
• Chicken broth or white wine: Adds depth and a little acidity to balance the cream.
• Heavy cream (or half-and-half): Creates that luscious, clingy sauce we all want.
• Parmesan cheese: Melts into the sauce and gives umami and salt — don’t skip it.
• Italian seasoning + red pepper flakes (optional): Add herbs and a touch of heat so the sauce sings.
• Parsley (garnish): Brightens the dish and adds a fresh finish.

Want to keep it extra simple? Use just garlic, cream, butter, and parm and you still get a killer Quick Meal With Shrimp.

How to Make It

Follow this straightforward flow — no fuss, just great results.

1. Season the shrimp. Toss shrimp with paprika (or just salt and pepper) so each piece has a little flavor. This sets you up for a punchy finish.
2. Sear the shrimp. Heat olive oil in a wide skillet over medium-high. Sear shrimp 1–2 minutes per side until opaque; don’t overcook. Remove and set aside. Pro tip: sear in batches if needed so the pan stays hot.
3. Make the sauce. Lower heat to medium. Melt butter, add minced garlic and sauté ~30–45 seconds until fragrant. Add broth (or wine) to deglaze the pan and reduce for a minute or two.
4. Cream and cheese. Stir in the cream, then add grated Parmesan and Italian seasoning. Simmer until the sauce thickens slightly — 2–3 minutes. Season to taste.
5. Finish with shrimp. Return shrimp to the skillet, toss to coat, and heat through for one minute. Sprinkle parsley and red pepper flakes if using. Serve immediately.

Short and to the point. Want it on rice? Spoon it over steamed rice for a perfect Meal With Shrimp And Rice. Prefer pasta? Toss with spaghetti for a quick comfort meal.

Pro tips for perfect results

• Don’t overcook the shrimp. They go from perfect to rubbery fast. Pull them as soon as they turn pink and opaque.
• High heat for the sear. A quick hot sear gives texture and flavor — that little crust matters.
• Use freshly grated Parmesan. Pre-grated powders don’t melt the same way and can make the sauce grainy.
• If the sauce’s too thin: Simmer a bit longer, or whisk in a small pinch of cornstarch dissolved in cold water.
• If the sauce’s too thick: Add a splash of broth or pasta water.
• Taste and adjust. Finish with a squeeze of lemon if it needs brightness. FYI: acid wakes the cream up.

These tips keep the sauce silky and the shrimp tender — no drama, just deliciousness.

Variations to try

Customize this into different directions depending on mood, pantry, or the audience.

• Veggie-boost: Toss in spinach or cherry tomatoes at the end for color and nutrition.
• Garlic-heavy: Love garlic? Add an extra clove or two. IMO, you can never have too much.
• Spicy: Add chili paste or extra red pepper flakes. For a smoky kick, use smoked paprika.
• Two-person friendly: Halve the recipe or stick to smaller pans — great as a Two Person Dinner Idea when you want something intimate.
• Low-carb / no pasta: Serve over zucchini noodles or cauliflower rice for a Dinner Idea Without Pasta or Dinner Idea Not Pasta.

See? One recipe, tons of personalities.

Best ways to serve

• Over rice: Classic, cozy, and perfect for soaking up sauce. If you want a true Meal With Shrimp And Rice, jasmine or basmati works great.
• With pasta: Toss with linguine or spaghetti for a classic creamy shrimp pasta night.
• With crusty bread: Scoop it up with toasted baguette slices — zero utensils required.
• As a bowl: Place over a bed of greens and roasted veg for a lighter Good Supper Recipe.

Pair it with a crisp green salad or steamed broccoli for balance. For drinks, a light white wine or sparkling water with lemon complements the sauce.

Quick tips for storage and leftovers

• Fridge: Keep the shrimp and sauce in an airtight container for up to 2 days. Shrimp lose texture fast, so eat sooner rather than later.
• Reheat gently: Warm in a skillet over low heat with a splash of broth to loosen the sauce — microwaving can make the shrimp rubbery.
• Freezing: I don’t recommend freezing cooked shrimp in cream; the texture and sauce separate. If you must, freeze the shrimp and sauce separately and expect some texture change.

Bottom line: this is best fresh, but reheats work if you take care.

FAQs

Why this works (a tiny science bit)

Searing shrimp creates Maillard flavor — that toasty, savory note that rounds out the dairy richness. Deglazing with broth or wine lifts the browned bits and mixes that flavor into the sauce. Parmesan gives umami and helps thicken, while the cream binds it all into a silky coating. Keep techniques simple and the flavors pop.

Quick meal plan ideas

• Weeknight for one or two: This is a perfect Two Person Dinner Idea — quick, impressive, and low-effort.
• Weeknight for family: Stretch with rice and a green veg to feed more mouths.
• Date night: Serve on pasta with a small salad and light wine — instant fancy.
• Meal prep twist: Cook shrimp and sauce separately; combine just before serving.

Final thoughts

This creamy garlic shrimp ticks so many boxes: fast, flexible, and utterly delicious. If you want a Simple Shrimp Meal that feels indulgent without the time investment, this recipe is your go-to. It’s also a top-tier Quick Meal With Shrimp for those nights when takeout tempts but you want something better.

So, next time you ask, “What’s for dinner?” don’t default to the usual. Make something that tastes like effort but takes none. Who said weeknights can’t be gourmet? Go on — try this Good Supper Recipe and see how fast it becomes a rotation favorite.

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15-Minute Creamy Garlic Shrimp (Easy Affordable Dinner)

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This Creamy Garlic Shrimp comes together in just 15 minutes and delivers tender, juicy shrimp coated in a rich, garlicky Parmesan cream sauce. It’s a quick, one-pan dinner that feels restaurant-worthy but uses simple pantry ingredients. Serve it over pasta, rice, or with crusty bread for an easy, satisfying meal any night of the week.

• Author: Irma
• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Total Time: 15 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Dinner

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Shrimp

• 1 lb (450 g) large shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp paprika
• ½ tsp ground black pepper
• ½ tsp salt

Sauce

• 2 tbsp unsalted butter
• 4 garlic cloves, finely minced (or pressed)
• 1 cup heavy cream (substitute half-and-half if you prefer)
• ½ cup chicken broth (or dry white wine)
• ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• ¼ tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Finish

• Fresh parsley, chopped

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Instructions

1. 1. Prep the shrimp. In a bowl, toss the shrimp with paprika, salt, and black pepper until every piece is evenly coated.

   2. Sear until just cooked. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high. When the oil shimmers, add the shrimp in a single layer. Cook about 1–2 minutes per side until pink and opaque. Transfer shrimp to a plate and set aside.

   3. Build the base. Turn heat down to medium. Add the butter to the same pan and let it melt. Add the garlic and sauté for about 30–60 seconds, stirring, until fragrant.

   4. Deglaze and reduce. Pour in the chicken broth or wine and scrape up any browned bits from the pan. Let the liquid bubble and reduce for 2–3 minutes.

   5. Make the cream sauce. Stir in the heavy cream, then add the grated Parmesan, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes. Simmer gently for 3–4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens slightly and becomes silky.

   6. Bring it together. Return the cooked shrimp to the skillet and toss to coat in the sauce. Warm everything together for about 1–2 minutes so the shrimp heat through and absorb flavor.

   7. Finish and serve. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Sprinkle with chopped parsley and serve immediately over pasta, rice, or with crusty bread to mop up the sauce.

Quick note: Avoid overcooking the shrimp—pull them off heat as soon as they turn opaque for tender results.