Description
Creamy Spinach Mushroom Shrimp Shells is the ultimate quick dinner idea that feels both elegant and comforting. Juicy shrimp are pan-seared and tossed with sautéed mushrooms, fresh spinach, and tender pasta shells in a velvety garlic cream sauce. It’s a cozy, rich, and satisfying meal that’s surprisingly easy to make on a weeknight. Perfect if you’re looking for easy recipes, delicious food ideas, or a creamy pasta dish that brings restaurant-quality flavor right to your kitchen table.
Ingredients
8 ounces medium pasta shells
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon butter
1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
8 ounces mushrooms, sliced
3 cups fresh spinach
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup heavy cream
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
2 tablespoons chopped parsley (optional)
½ cup reserved pasta water
Instructions
1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta shells until al dente, then drain and reserve ½ cup of pasta water.
2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season shrimp with salt and pepper, then cook for 1–2 minutes per side until just pink. Remove and set aside.
3. In the same skillet, melt butter. Add mushrooms and sauté for 4–5 minutes until browned.
4. Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute.
5. Add spinach and cook until wilted, about 2–3 minutes.
6. Lower heat, pour in heavy cream, and stir in Parmesan cheese and red pepper flakes. Simmer for 3–5 minutes until slightly thickened.
7. Return pasta to the skillet, add some reserved pasta water, and toss to coat in sauce.
8. Add shrimp back to the pan and cook for 1–2 minutes to warm through.
9. Garnish with parsley and extra Parmesan before serving.
Notes
Always pat shrimp dry before searing for the best texture and browning.
Use freshly grated Parmesan for a smooth, melt-in-your-mouth sauce.
Add pasta water slowly to control the consistency of the sauce.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 540
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 620mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 210mg
Keywords: creamy shrimp pasta, easy dinner, spinach mushroom pasta, shrimp shells