The Best Creamy Basil Shrimp Penne Recipe for Pasta Lovers

Basil shrimp penne brings a symphony of Mediterranean flavors dancing across your plate.

The delicate seafood pairs magnificently with herbal undertones and silky sauce textures.

Imagine a meal that whispers coastal elegance while promising comfort in every delectable bite.

Fresh ingredients converge to create something far beyond ordinary pasta dishes.

Our culinary journey converts simple components into an extraordinary dining experience.

Fragrant herbs and succulent shrimp promise an adventure that awakens your taste buds.

You can want to savor each perfectly balanced spoonful with pure gastronomic joy.

FAQs About Creamy Basil Shrimp Penne

• How do I know when the shrimp are cooked properly?

The shrimp are done when they turn pink or golden brown and curl slightly, which takes about 1-2 minutes total. Overcooking will make them tough, so watch them carefully.

• Can I substitute the half and half with another ingredient?

You can use heavy cream or whole milk as alternatives. Heavy cream will make the sauce richer, while whole milk will create a lighter sauce.

• What if I don't have fresh basil?

Dried basil works perfectly in this recipe. If you want more flavor, you can add some fresh basil leaves as a garnish when serving.

• How can I make this dish spicier?

Increase the amount of red pepper flakes or add a dash of hot sauce to the sauce. You can also sprinkle some additional red pepper flakes on top when serving for extra heat.

What Makes Creamy Basil Shrimp Penne a Weeknight Favorite

• This recipe delivers restaurant-quality pasta in under 30 minutes, perfect for busy weeknight dinners that satisfy serious food cravings without complicated techniques.
• Combining sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, basil, and mozzarella creates a rich, complex taste profile that transforms simple ingredients into an extraordinary meal with minimal effort.
• The flexible recipe allows easy protein swaps or heat adjustments by modifying red pepper flakes, making it adaptable for different taste preferences and dietary needs.
• Minimizing dishes while maximizing flavor, this recipe uses a single pan for cooking shrimp, creating sauce, and combining ingredients, which means faster preparation and easier cleanup for home cooks.

Ingredients Checklist for Creamy Basil Shrimp Penne

Main Ingredients:

• Penne Pasta: Classic pasta shape that holds creamy sauce well, perfect for capturing flavors.

• Shrimp: Tender seafood protein providing delicate sweetness, best when fresh or frozen and quickly cooked.

• Half and Half: Creamy base creating rich sauce texture, provides smooth consistency.
• Mozzarella Cheese: Soft cheese melting smoothly, adds mild creamy flavor to sauce.

Flavor Enhancers:

• Dried Basil: Classic herb lending Mediterranean warmth, adds aromatic herbal notes.
• Red Pepper Flakes: Provides gentle heat and slight spiciness, optional for extra kick.
• Paprika: Mild pepper spice offering subtle warmth and color.
• Garlic: Aromatic ingredient adding deep savory undertones, fresh cloves recommended.

• Olive Oil: High-quality cooking fat for sautéing, helps develop rich flavors.
• Salt: Essential seasoning for enhancing overall dish taste, adjust according to preference.
• Sun-Dried Tomatoes: Concentrated sweet-tangy ingredient bringing depth to sauce, adds Mediterranean character.

Step-by-Step Creamy Basil Shrimp Penne Recipe

Step 1: Boil the Pasta

Fill a large pot with water and bring to a rolling boil. Add the penne pasta and cook following package directions until al dente. Before draining, scoop out a half cup of starchy pasta water. Drain the pasta in a colander and set aside.

Step 2: Sear the Shrimp

Warm olive oil in a spacious skillet over medium-high heat. Toss in the shrimp and half of the garlic, letting them sizzle for about 1 minute until they develop a golden color and turn pink. Sprinkle with salt. Quickly flip the shrimp and cook for another 30-60 seconds. Transfer the shrimp to a plate, keeping the flavorful oil in the pan.

Step 3: Create the Creamy Sauce

• Sun-dried tomatoes
• Remaining garlic

• Dried basil
• Red pepper flakes
• Paprika

Season with salt to taste, tweaking the flavors as you go.

Step 4: Marry the Ingredients

Slide the cooked pasta into the sauce, gently tossing to ensure every noodle gets coated. Return the shrimp to the skillet, mixing everything together. Warm over medium heat for a few minutes, allowing the flavors to mingle and intensify. If the sauce feels too thick, splash in some reserved pasta water or half and half to reach your desired consistency.

Kitchen Tips for Creamy Basil Shrimp Penne

• Master Pasta Water Technique: Reserve the starchy pasta water before draining, which helps create a silkier, more cohesive sauce and allows perfect consistency adjustment.
• Sear Shrimp Quickly: Cook shrimp for precisely 1-2 minutes total to prevent rubbery texture, ensuring they remain tender and juicy by using high heat and watching for pink color change.
• Build Flavor Layers: Sauté garlic and sun-dried tomatoes before adding liquid ingredients to release deep, rich aromatics that enhance the overall dish's complexity.
• Control Sauce Consistency: Gradually add pasta water or half and half to achieve desired sauce thickness, stirring continuously to prevent separation and create a smooth, creamy texture.
• Balance Seasoning Carefully: Add salt and spices incrementally, tasting as you go to develop a perfectly balanced flavor profile without overwhelming the delicate shrimp and pasta.

How to Store and Warm Up Creamy Basil Shrimp Penne

• Refrigerate: Store the Creamy Basil Shrimp Penne in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keep refrigerated for up to 3 days, ensuring maximum freshness and food safety.
• Reheat: Warm the pasta gently in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of half and half or pasta water to restore creamy consistency. Stir frequently to prevent sticking and ensure even heating.
• Freeze: Transfer leftovers to a freezer-safe container, removing as much air as possible. Freeze for up to 1 month. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating to maintain the best texture and flavor.

Perfect Sides for Creamy Basil Shrimp Penne

• Pair with Crisp White Wine: Enjoy a chilled sauvignon blanc or pinot grigio that complements the creamy sauce and cuts through the richness of the shrimp and cheese.
• Fresh Salad Side Kick: Create a light arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette to balance the dish's creamy texture and add a zesty contrast to the rich pasta.
• Crusty Garlic Bread Companion: Serve warm, toasted garlic bread to soak up the delicious sauce and provide a crunchy texture that enhances the overall dining experience.
• Citrus Spritzer Refreshment: Mix a light lemon or lime sparkling water to cleanse the palate between bites and highlight the basil and shrimp flavors.

Remix Creamy Basil Shrimp Penne with These Ideas

• Mediterranean Seafood Remix: Replace shrimp with tender calamari or mixed seafood medley, enhancing the dish with a classic Mediterranean coastal flavor profile.
• Vegetarian Cream Charm: Swap shrimp for roasted portobello mushrooms or grilled zucchini, maintaining the creamy sauce's rich texture while offering a plant-based alternative.
• Spicy Cajun Fusion: Incorporate Andouille sausage with the shrimp, add Cajun seasoning instead of paprika, and include diced bell peppers for a zesty New Orleans-inspired version.
• Protein Power Bowl: Introduce grilled chicken alongside shrimp, increase protein content, and sprinkle extra red pepper flakes for added heat and nutrition.

Creamy Basil Shrimp Penne Recipe

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4.9 from 40 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Succulent basil shrimp penne promises a Mediterranean coastal escape on your dinner plate. Robust pasta intertwines with juicy shrimp, creating a luxurious dish that whisks you straight to Italian seaside comfort.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 1 pound shrimp, deveined and shells removed

Carbohydrates:

• 8 ounces (226 grams) penne pasta (use gluten-free brown rice pasta for a gluten-free version)

Dairy and Cheese:

• 1 cup half and half
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (use pre-shredded Mozzarella, not fresh)

Herbs and Spices:

• 1 tablespoon dried basil (use more if fresh)
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, add more to taste
• 1/8 teaspoon paprika

Additional Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil (preferably from sun-dried tomatoes jar)
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 4 ounces (113 grams) sun-dried tomatoes, without oil
• ½ cup reserved cooked pasta water (or more, as needed)
• Additional ¼ teaspoon salt (or to taste)

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Instructions

1. Immerse the penne in boiling water, following package guidelines. Carefully extract and preserve a portion of the starchy liquid before draining. Set pasta aside.
2. Warm olive oil in a spacious skillet over robust heat. Introduce shrimp with half the garlic, searing until they transform into a delicate pink hue. Sprinkle a touch of salt, then swiftly flip each morsel. Cook briefly until achieving a golden exterior. Relocate shrimp, retaining the residual oil.
3. Utilize the same skillet to toast sun-dried tomatoes and remaining garlic until aromatic. Stream half and half into the pan, escalating to a gentle bubble. Incorporate mozzarella, whisking until achieving a silky consistency. Modulate sauce density using reserved liquid or additional cream. Weave in dried basil, red pepper flakes, and paprika. Season judiciously with salt.
4. Cascade pasta into the velvety sauce, tenderly reheating while ensuring uniform coating. Reintroduce shrimp, allowing ingredients to harmonize and temperature to equalize. If sauce appears dense, incrementally introduce reserved liquid to maintain luxurious texture.

Notes

• Customize heat levels by adjusting red pepper flakes for mild or spicy preferences.
• Reserve pasta water as a secret weapon to control sauce consistency and prevent dryness.
• Quick-cooking shrimp demands precise timing to maintain tender, juicy texture without overcooking.
• Mozzarella melts smoothly, creating a luxurious, silky sauce that clings perfectly to penne pasta.
• Sun-dried tomatoes bring intense, concentrated flavor bursts that complement the creamy sauce.
• Fresh basil can replace dried herbs for a more vibrant, aromatic final touch to the dish.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 610
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 850 mg
• Fat: 30 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 62 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 28 g
• Cholesterol: 220 mg