Creamy Tuscan Shrimps

These Creamy Tuscan shrimps are perfect for weeknight meals when you want an easy dinner that feels a little bit more special than usual. Made with caramelized onions and garlic, the shrimp are nestled in a creamy sauce, with sun-dried tomatoes for extra flavor.

This one-pan recipe is ready in about 30 minutes. It is the kind of meal that looks impressive but is actually very easy to make.

Why You’ll Love This Creamy Tuscan Shrimps Recipe

There are plenty of creamy shrimp recipes out there, but this one has something different going on. The key ingredients are the onion and garlic, not the shrimp. And, instead of rushing the aromatics over high heat, we cook them slowly over medium-low heat. This gives the onions time to soften and caramelize while the garlic becomes fragrant and mellow. That simple step adds depth to the sauce.

Then we add the herbs, spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, and heavy cream. The result is a silky, savory sauce with a little sweetness from the caramelized onions and sun-dried tomatoes. Add the shrimp toward the end because they cook very quickly. This helps keep them tender, juicy, and bouncy instead of dry or rubbery.

What are Creamy Tuscan Shrimps?

Creamy Tuscan shrimps is a Tuscan-inspired shrimp dish, rather than a traditional recipe from Tuscany. The name refers to the combination of flavors commonly used in modern Tuscan-style recipes: garlic, herbs, tomatoes, leafy greens, cream, and Parmesan-style richness.

You will find several variations of Tuscan shrimp recipes, but the combination of creamy sauce, garlic, spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, and shrimp is especially popular. Our version takes a slightly different approach. Rather than searing the shrimp first and removing them from the pan, we build the sauce first and add the shrimp near the end. This keeps the shrimp from cooking twice and makes it easier to get that juicy texture.

Ingredients

Shrimps, Heavy Cream, Onions, Garlic, Basil, Oregano, Salt, Spinach, Sun-dried Tomatoes.

The shrimps are an important part of the dish. However, other proteins will work just as well with this rich sauce. Think of chicken breast cubes, turkey, beef knuckle steak, and more. You can also make a vegetarian version using your favorite vegetables. The heavy cream adds a ton of richness and is integral to the dish’s flavor.

One of the most underestimated ingredients in this recipe is the onions and garlic. We’ve used loads of it and caramelized it to bring out maximum flavor! The aromatics harmonize with the shrimp, creating an extraordinary dish. Baby spinach or regular spinach will do, just make sure you cut the regular-sized spinach with scissors.

Instructions

Start by finely chopping garlic cloves and slicing onions. In a pot, add a generous drizzle of grapeseed oil or your preferred cooking oil. Be sure to stir the aromatics frequently. This process will take about 5 to 6 minutes to achieve the perfect caramelized browning.

It’s important to use medium-low heat to prevent the aromatics from browning too quickly and to allow the natural sugars in the onions and garlic to be released. This step is crucial—perhaps the most important of all. Cooking involves many techniques, and by following these steps correctly, you’ll create a timeless masterpiece in the comfort of your own home.

While your onions and garlic are caramelizing, add the smoked paprika, black pepper, dried basil, and dried oregano. Mix the spices until they are thoroughly combined with the garlic and onion. After that step, add your washed and chopped spinach. Stir until the spinach softens.

The next step is to add the heavy cream, stir a few times, and you will notice the ingredients start to mix, creating a beautiful semi-orange-reddish hue in this dish. It’s a beautiful color and worth all the effort that you’ve just put into this dish. Thereafter, add the deshelled, cleaned shrimp to the creamy mixture.

The shrimps must be added last; there is no need to brown them in the first step and set them aside. Shrimps take a very short amount of time to cook, and you want bouncy, juicy shrimps, not dry and hard shrimps that are overly shriveled. The Creamy Tuscan Shrimps are ready to be served.

How Do You Know When Shrimp Are Done?

Shrimp don’t take long to cook. Raw shrimp start translucent and gray. As they cook, they become opaque and develop their familiar pink color. The shrimp should also curl slightly. Try not to wait until they form a very tight circle. That can be a sign that they have been cooked too long. For this recipe, add the shrimp near the end to prevent overcooking.

Can I Use Frozen Shrimp?

Yes. Frozen shrimp are a convenient choice for this recipe and work very well. Thaw them before cooking, then drain and pat them dry with paper towels. You can thaw shrimp overnight in the refrigerator, or place them in a colander and run cool water over them until thawed. The important thing is to avoid adding large amounts of water to the creamy sauce.

Can I Use Frozen Spinach?

Fresh baby spinach is our first choice because it has a delicate texture and wilts quickly. However, frozen spinach can also work. Thaw it completely and squeeze out as much excess water as possible before adding it to the sauce. Too much water can make the cream sauce thinner than you want.

Can I Add Parmesan Cheese?

Absolutely. A little freshly grated Parmesan can make the sauce even richer and more savory. If you decide to add Parmesan, stir it into the warm cream sauce and allow it to melt before adding the shrimp. You can also finish the dish with a little Parmesan just before serving.

Can I Make Creamy Tuscan Shrimp With Chicken?

Yes. The creamy Tuscan sauce works with several proteins. You can use chicken breast, turkey, or another protein that works well with a creamy garlic sauce. The cooking time will change depending on the protein, though, so don’t use the shrimp cooking time as a guide. For a vegetarian version, leave out the shrimp and add vegetables such as mushrooms, zucchini, asparagus, or white beans.

How to Store Creamy Tuscan Shrimps?

The Creamy Tuscan Shrimps can be refrigerated for two to three days. You can reheat it on the stove. If you decide to freeze it, this dish could thaw unevenly. Resulting in the separation of the heavy cream during the thawing process. It may or may not come together like the initial cooking stage.

What to Serve with Creamy Tuscan Shrimps?

You can serve your Creamy Tuscan Shrimps with one of the following side dishes: Asparagus, Brussels sprouts, and Jasmine Rice. Consider Garlic Bread or Bruschetta as ideal appetizers that would pair well with this dish.