Creamy Spinach Shrimp Shells Recipe

Introduction

This Creamy Spinach Shrimp Shells recipe combines tender shrimp, fresh spinach, and mushrooms in a luscious Parmesan cream sauce, all tossed with pasta shells. It’s a quick and satisfying dish perfect for weeknight dinners or special occasions.

Ingredients

• 1 lb large peeled and deveined shrimp
• 12 oz pasta shells
• 3 cups fresh baby spinach
• 1 cup sliced mushrooms
• 4 garlic cloves, chopped
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter
• 1 cup heavy cream
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• ½ cup chicken broth
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• Salt, to taste
• Black pepper, to taste
• Juice of ½ lemon
• Fresh parsley, chopped for garnish

Instructions

1. Step 1: Boil salted water and cook pasta shells according to package instructions until slightly firm. Drain thoroughly and set aside.
2. Step 2: Pat shrimp dry and season with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook shrimp until pink and opaque, about 2 minutes per side. Remove from skillet and set aside.
3. Step 3: Reduce heat to medium. Add butter to the skillet. Once melted, add chopped garlic and sliced mushrooms. Cook, stirring occasionally, until mushrooms are golden and tender, about 4 minutes.
4. Step 4: Add baby spinach to the skillet and stir for 1–2 minutes until spinach is wilted but still bright green.
5. Step 5: Pour in chicken broth and heavy cream. Simmer gently, stirring occasionally, for 4–5 minutes until sauce slightly thickens.
6. Step 6: Stir in grated Parmesan cheese until fully melted and sauce is smooth and creamy.
7. Step 7: Return cooked pasta and shrimp to the skillet. Toss gently to coat everything evenly with the creamy sauce.
8. Step 8: Sprinkle lemon juice over the dish for a bright finish. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley before serving.

Tips & Variations

• For extra flavor, add a pinch of red pepper flakes when sautéing garlic and mushrooms.
• Swap baby spinach for kale or Swiss chard for a different leafy green option.
• Use half-and-half instead of heavy cream for a lighter sauce, though it will be less rich.
• To make it gluten-free, substitute pasta shells with gluten-free pasta or cooked rice.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat gently in a skillet over low heat, adding a splash of cream or broth to loosen the sauce as needed. Avoid microwaving directly to prevent the shrimp from becoming rubbery.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use frozen shrimp for this recipe?

Yes, frozen shrimp work well. Just be sure to thaw them completely and pat dry before cooking to prevent excess moisture in the pan.

Is this recipe suitable for meal prep?

It is! Prepare the dish fully, then portion into meal containers. Keep refrigerated and consume within 2 days for the best taste and texture.

Creamy Spinach Shrimp Shells Recipe

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★★★★★

4.8 from 53 reviews

This Creamy Spinach Shrimp Shells recipe combines tender shrimp sautéed to perfection with sautéed mushrooms, garlic, and fresh baby spinach, all enveloped in a rich and velvety Parmesan cream sauce. Served over perfectly cooked pasta shells, it’s a comforting yet elegant dish that’s quick to prepare and bursting with flavor.

• Author: mia
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: Italian-American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Seafood & Pasta

• 1 lb large peeled and deveined shrimp
• 12 oz pasta shells

Vegetables & Aromatics

• 3 cups fresh baby spinach
• 1 cup sliced mushrooms
• 4 garlic cloves, chopped

Sauce Ingredients

• 2 tbsp unsalted butter
• 1 cup heavy cream
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• ½ cup chicken broth
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• Salt, to taste
• Black pepper, to taste
• Juice of ½ lemon

Garnish

• Fresh parsley, chopped for garnish

Instructions

1. Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta shells and cook according to package instructions until they are slightly firm to the bite (al dente). Once cooked, drain thoroughly and set aside.
2. Sear the Shrimp: Pat the shrimp dry with paper towels and season them with salt and black pepper. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the shrimp in a single layer and cook for about 2 minutes on each side until they turn pink and opaque. Remove the shrimp from the skillet and set aside.
3. Sauté Mushrooms and Garlic: Lower the heat to medium, add the unsalted butter to the skillet and allow it to melt. Add the chopped garlic and sliced mushrooms to the skillet and cook them, stirring occasionally, until the mushrooms are golden brown and tender, about 4 minutes.
4. Wilt the Spinach: Add the fresh baby spinach to the skillet and stir for 1 to 2 minutes until the spinach is wilted but still bright green.
5. Build the Cream Sauce: Pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream into the skillet. Let the mixture simmer gently, stirring occasionally, for 4 to 5 minutes or until the sauce starts to thicken slightly.
6. Incorporate Cheese: Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until it melts completely and the sauce becomes smooth and creamy.
7. Combine Pasta and Shrimp: Return the cooked pasta shells and seared shrimp to the skillet. Toss gently to ensure everything is evenly coated with the creamy sauce.
8. Finish and Garnish: Squeeze the juice of half a lemon over the dish to add brightness. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley before serving.

Notes

• For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or whole milk, keeping in mind the sauce will be less rich.
• Make sure not to overcook the shrimp to keep them tender and juicy.
• You can use gluten-free pasta shells to make this dish gluten-free.
• Freshly grated Parmesan cheese works best for melting and flavor.
• Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper according to your taste preferences.
• This dish pairs well with a crisp white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio.
• Leftovers should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator and consumed within 2 days.

Keywords: Creamy shrimp pasta, spinach shrimp shells, shrimp with cream sauce, easy shrimp dinner, pasta with shrimp and spinach, Parmesan cream sauce pasta