Marry Me Shrimp in Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Sauce Recipe

If you’re craving something rich, indulgent, and totally irresistible, you need to try my Marry Me Shrimp in Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Sauce Recipe. Trust me, once you make this, it’s going to become one of those dishes you lean on whenever you want to impress or just treat yourself. The creamy sauce is packed with bold flavors from sun-dried tomatoes and garlic, and the shrimp cook up perfectly tender every time.

this Recipe

Ingredients You’ll Need

All the ingredients here work beautifully to build layers of flavor. I always recommend using fresh shrimp and good-quality sun-dried tomatoes because they make a big difference in the final taste. Plus, keep an eye out for half and half, or just grab some heavy cream if you prefer an extra rich sauce.

• Shrimp: Peeled and deveined shrimp speed up prep and soak up flavor perfectly.
• Salt, Paprika & Italian Herb Blend: These simple seasonings bring a subtle smoky and herbal note that complements the creamy sauce.
• Butter & Olive Oil: Using both helps brown the shrimp without burning and builds a great flavor base for the sauce.
• Onion: Diced small for gentle sweetness and texture.
• Garlic: Fresh minced garlic adds that aromatic punch you want in any creamy seafood dish.
• White Wine: Cooking wine deglazes the pan and adds just enough acidity to balance the cream.
• Sun-Dried Tomatoes: These are the star for that tangy, slightly chewy texture and robust tomato flavor.
• Half and Half: Subtle creaminess that keeps the sauce silky without being too heavy – heavy cream works great here too.
• Parmesan Cheese: Adds a sharp, nutty richness that finishes the sauce perfectly.
• Baby Spinach: A handful stirred in at the end gives freshness and color.

Variations

I love how flexible this recipe is — you can easily swap things up to fit your tastes or dietary needs. When I first started making this, I stuck exactly to the recipe, but now I like to tweak it based on what I have on hand or what flavors I’m craving.

• Make it Spicy: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes when sautéing garlic for a gentle heat kick. My family loves the little extra zip that brings.
• Dairy-Free Option: Use coconut milk or a plant-based cream alternative instead of half and half — I did this once for a friend and it turned out surprisingly tasty!
• Add Fresh Herbs: Toss in chopped basil or parsley right before serving for a pop of freshness and color.
• Swap Greens: Instead of spinach, I sometimes use kale or arugula for a different texture and slightly peppery taste.

How to Make Marry Me Shrimp in Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Sauce Recipe

Step 1: Season and Sear Your Shrimp

First things first, pat your shrimp really dry with paper towels — this is key to getting a nice sear instead of steaming them. Then sprinkle them evenly with salt, paprika, and Italian herbs. Heat your butter and olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the shrimp in a single layer and cook about 1-2 minutes on each side until they’re just pink and slightly golden. Be careful not to overcook because shrimp go from perfectly tender to rubbery in a snap. When done, transfer them to a plate and set aside.

Step 2: Build the Flavor Base

Lower the heat to medium and add the diced onion to the same skillet. Sauté for 3-4 minutes until soft and translucent — if it looks dry, drizzle a little more olive oil to keep things moving. Stir in the minced garlic for just 30 seconds until fragrant. Then pour in the white wine to deglaze the pan, scraping up all those tasty browned bits. Add the sliced sun-dried tomatoes and let them cook together for another minute.

Step 3: Make it Creamy and Rich

Reduce the heat to low and pour in the half and half, then sprinkle in salt, pepper, and parmesan cheese. Stir well and let everything simmer gently for a few minutes until the sauce thickens slightly. It should coat the back of your spoon beautifully—rich, creamy, and bursting with flavor.

Step 4: Finish with Greens and Shrimp

Finally, remove the pan from heat, toss in the baby spinach and gently fold in the cooked shrimp. The residual heat will wilt the greens perfectly without overcooking the shrimp. Give everything a nice stir so the shrimp soak up that creamy tomato goodness.

How to Serve Marry Me Shrimp in Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Sauce Recipe

Garnishes

I like to sprinkle fresh chopped parsley or basil on top before serving – it adds a pop of color and freshness that cuts through the richness nicely. A little extra grated parmesan at the table never hurts either if you want to bump up the cheesiness.

Side Dishes

For sides, I often serve this over fluffy white rice or creamy mashed potatoes. Small pastas like orzo or even angel hair pasta also pair beautifully and soak up all that luscious sauce. Sometimes, I just pile it over a bed of steamed veggies for a lighter but equally satisfying meal.

Creative Ways to Present

When I have guests over, I like scooping the shrimp and sauce into pretty little ramekins or even serving it family-style in a large skillet right at the table – it feels cozy and inviting. You can even stuff the shrimp and sauce into fresh, toasted baguette halves for an irresistible open-faced sandwich style meal.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

When I have leftovers, I store them in an airtight container in the fridge. The sauce thickens a bit overnight, so I recommend gently reheating with a splash of milk or cream to loosen it back up before serving again. It lasts well for 2-3 days.

Freezing

I don’t usually freeze this shrimp dish because the texture can change, but if you want to, freeze the sauce separately without the shrimp and add fresh shrimp when you reheat. This keeps the shrimp tender and delicious.

Reheating

To reheat, I warm the sauce gently in a saucepan over low heat, stirring in a little milk or cream if it’s too thick. Then I add the shrimp and spinach last, warming just until everything’s heated through. This keeps shrimp from getting rubbery and spinach from turning mushy.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

I absolutely love how this Marry Me Shrimp in Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Sauce Recipe comes together so quickly yet tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen. It’s creamy, packed with flavors, and feels comforting and elegant all at once. When I first tried this, I was hooked, and now it’s a recipe I’m always excited to share with friends and family. I truly hope you enjoy making it as much as I do — it’s like a warm hug on a plate and perfect for any occasion!

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