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This creamy garlic Tuscan shrimp recipe with sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, and basil is rich, decadent, and ready in about 15 minutes!
You may also like my Marry Me Shrimp Pasta or this Easy Shrimp Scampi recipe.
Why you’ll love it
This creamy Tuscan shrimp recipe is one of those dinners that makes it seem like you tried very hard, but the minimal time and effort involved makes it perfect for weeknights! It’s super easy, quick, and really, really tasty and impressive.
The classic flavors of sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, and basil are the ideal bright contrast to the cream, and it all just goes so well together. And there’s plenty of garlic. Nobody can say no to this restaurant-quality shrimp recipe whenever we serve it for easy entertaining.
What you’ll need
- Shrimp – I used frozen ones that are deveined and already peeled for convenience
- Butter and flour – to make a quick roux that’ll thicken up the sauce
- Garlic – we’re pretty generous here, but add even more if you like! This garlic press makes mincing effortless without having to peel the cloves.
- Heavy cream – to make the sauce luxurious. I wouldn’t sub it out for anything else.
- Lemon juice – for a little bit of acidity and brightness
- Italian seasoning – it’s a versatile blend of dried herbs in a single jar to jazz up so many dishes
- Sun-dried tomatoes – one of our star components that plays so well with the basil
- Spinach and basil – for a burst of freshness, texture, and flavor
Pro tip
I don’t recommend subbing the cream for something like half-and-half of milk since the sauce may curdle and it’ll end up thinner and less rich. You’d have to add more flour for the sauce to thicken properly as well.
How to make Tuscan shrimp
This is an overview with step-by-step photos. Full ingredients & instructions are in the recipe card below.
Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add in the flour to make a roux, followed by the garlic. Stir in the cream, lemon juice, Italian seasoning, and sun-dried tomatoes and simmer.
Add in the shrimp, and cook until they’re pink and cooked through and the sauce has thickened up a bit. Stir in the spinach and basil and simmer until wilted. Season with salt & pepper and serve immediately. Top with a squeeze of lemon and fresh parmesan if desired.
Shrimp tips for success
- I used 31-40 count size shrimp in this Tuscan garlic butter shrimp recipe. Technically these are considered large shrimp, but to me they’re more of a medium size when compared to some of the REALLY large shrimp out there. Anyway, any medium-to-large shrimp would work. To thaw, just run under cool water.
- Unless you live right by the ocean, frozen shrimp are actually a great choice because the ones at the seafood counter are usually just thawed anyway and less fresh when you get them.
- I prefer using raw shrimp in 99% of recipes, including this one, because they cook very fast and double-cooking can lead to rubbery shrimp. You could use already cooked shrimp, but be sure to just heat them through!
- I don’t take the tails off the shrimp (mostly for the photos to add some contrast), but feel free to take them off if you prefer.
Substitutions and variations
- Want to try this recipe with chicken? You will love my Creamy Tuscan Chicken recipe.
- If you’re not a fan of sun-dried tomatoes, you could use a chopped fresh tomato, but then it will no longer be that iconic Tuscan flavor combo. Also, the sauce may end up thinner, but you’re welcome to try it that way.
- I highly suggest using fresh spinach, but in a pinch you can use frozen as long as you thaw it and thoroughly squeeze out all the excess water. But do try to get your hands on the fresh variety for the full experience!
How to serve Tuscan shrimp
- They’re great served over pasta, rice, or Mashed Potatoes.
- You can also just eat this recipe as-is and grab a big slice of crusty bread for all that delicious sauce! Or go all out and have a slice of Garlic Bread.
- Pair it with a side salad. Try mixed greens with this Easy Italian Dressing.
Leftovers and storage
- These creamy Tuscan shrimp will keep in the fridge for 3-4 days in an airtight container. Make sure you don’t leave them sitting out for too long before refrigerating leftovers, though.
- I wouldn’t recommend freezing this since the cream sauce won’t hold up well.
- To reheat, warm up slowly in a small saucepan over a low heat so the sauce doesn’t separate, stirring occasionally.
Talk to me in the comments below if you made this easy Tuscan shrimp! You can also tag me #saltandlavender on Instagram.
Creamy Tuscan Shrimp
Ingredients
- 1 pound shrimp (I used 31-40 count size) thawed & peeled
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 teaspoon flour
- 4-5 cloves garlic minced
- 1 cup heavy/whipping cream
- 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1/4 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes chopped or julienned
- 1-2 cups (packed) fresh baby spinach
- Handful fresh basil cut into thin strips
- Salt & pepper to taste
Instructions
- Melt the butter over medium-high heat in a large skillet. Add the flour and cook for about a minute, stirring until smooth.
- Add the garlic and cook for about 30 seconds or until fragrant.
- Stir in the cream, lemon juice, Italian seasoning, and sun-dried tomatoes. Simmer for 2 minutes. Reduce heat if it’s bubbling too much.
- Add the shrimp and cook for around 5 minutes or until they’re cooked through and the sauce is slightly thickened, taking care not to overcook them.
- Add the spinach and basil and cook for another 2 minutes. Season with salt & pepper as needed. Serve immediately. I like to squeeze extra lemon juice over top when serving (up to you). You could also grate some fresh parmesan over top if you wish.
Notes
- I used sun-dried tomatoes that were packed in oil (I drained the oil). Feel free to use more or less than suggested.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
© Salt & Lavender Inc. Content and photographs are copyrighted. Sharing this blog post is much appreciated, but copying and pasting full recipes without authorization to social media is strictly prohibited.
This recipe was originally published on November 29, 2017. It’s been updated with new photos and better instructions but is the same great recipe!
This was absolutely amazing! I tweeked it just a little to accommodate my Keto way of eating and it was superb! Thank you for sharing!
I am so glad to hear it! 🙂
Recipe has everything I love – shrimp, spinach, tomatoes, cream – and sounds so good I’m almost willing to try it without any keto accommodation and burn my progress for a day or two. I’m not so far into the keto lifestyle that I’m comfortable with “exchanges” so if I could pick your brain about keto changes, I’d appreciate it. Thanks.
AWESOME !! Was easy and delicious. I too added red pepper flakes and had it over rice. My wife loved it also and she is super picky !
So happy to hear it, Omar!
My boyfriend and I just made this together for our Valentine’s Day dinner. It was amazing and my daughter loved the shrimp. Love it!!!
So happy to hear it!! ❤️❤️❤️❤️
This looks great. Can I substitute coconut cream for the heavy whipping cream? Thanks
Thanks! If you’re ok with a different texture and coconut flavor, then I think it should be ok. Let me know how it works!
Does this freeze well? I’ve had a big surgery and looking for recipes I can cook extra of and freeze. I do have one of the vacuum food savers so I thought maybe it would help keep it fresh for a short time. Defrost and drop into boiling water in the vacuum bag. Your thoughts please.
Hi Paula! In my experience, creamy sauces don’t freeze all that well… they can separate when reheated. I haven’t tried the vacuum bag method, but it may be worth testing. I have plenty of soup recipes on here and many of those freeze well.
sous vide may be the way to reheat a creamy sauce – no experience, just a thought
Delicious…..but, Never cheese on seafood. Ask any Italian.
Really. That’s so so old school.
I am 100% Italian. And it’s ok to add cheese with
Seafood.
🙂
I’m on keto, and this was amazing
That’s great! Thanks for letting me know. 😊
This was delicious!
Wonderful! Thanks for letting me know. 🙂
Looks delicious, could you substitute full fat coconut milk for the heavy cream?
Thank you! You could try if you’re ok with a coconut flavor.
What is the nutritional information? I am diabetic and this was actually listed under diabetic recipes but then i read is wasn’t healthy. Help please!
Hi Jenny! Where did you read this was listed under diabetic recipes? I don’t provide nutritional info on my recipes. I’m not a trained nutritionist, and frankly I don’t feel comfortable putting my readers’ health at risk by using the online calculators that are often waaaay off. I sometimes include calorie counts, but I don’t usually on recipes like this one since it could turn some readers off (it’s meant for a treat/special dinner when calories aren’t really a concern). I am not a medical expert, but this definitely isn’t one of my healthier recipes I’m afraid.
I tried this tonight, it was super easy & delicious. I did add a little red pepper flake (about a 1/8 teaspoon) for a little hint of heat and did not use black pepper & it was amazing! Thanks for sharing.
Wonderful! So happy you liked it. Love your red pepper flake suggestion too. 🙂