Creamy Tuscan Shrimp Recipe For Two

If you are looking for a delicious dinner for two that is full of flavor and that doesn’t take long to make, you are going to LOVE this Creamy Tuscan Shrimp recipe. Shrimp nestled in a creamy sauce along with sun dried tomatoes, spinach and basil and that is ready to eat in only 15 minutes!

Because this dish comes together so quickly it makes for a great weeknight meal when you don’t have a lot of time to spend in the kitchen. However, it looks so appealing that you can also serve it as a special occasion meal when celebrating a birthday, anniversary or holiday.

Best of all, this dish can be served in a variety of ways. However the most popular way to serve it is over a bed of pasta or rice.

Although you can also serve it as the main dish along with mashed potatoes or a side salad. No matter how you decide to enjoy this delicious dinner for two, be sure to have some crusty bread on hand to soak up all that delicious sauce!

Ingredients Required

Shrimp – It is important to use raw shrimp for this recipe. I find it easiest to purchase frozen shrimp that has already been peeled and deveined. However you can peel and devein fresh shrimp if you prefer. As for the size, medium-large shrimp work the best when making this Tuscan Shrimp recipe.

The Creamy Tuscan Shrimp Sauce:

Butter – I prefer to use unsalted butter so that I can control the salt content in the sauce. However, if you prefer salty flavors you can use salted butter.

Flour – Flour is used as the thickener for the sauce. If you want to keep this dish gluten-free be sure to use gluten-free flour.

Garlic – No Tuscan recipe would be complete without garlic. As always, it is best to use fresh minced garlic cloves. However you can use jarred minced garlic or even garlic powder in a pinch.

Heavy Whipping Cream – This is one ingredient that you don’t want to substitute in this recipe. Using any dairy product less than heavy whipping cream will cause the sauce to curdle.

Lemon Juice – Shrimp and lemon juice go hand in hand. Go one step further and purchase a fresh lemon so you can serve lemon wedges with each individual serving.

Italian Seasoning – Dry Italian seasoning is what gives this dish a hint of earthy flavor.

Other Ingredients:

Sun-dried Tomatoes – I prefer to use the sun-dried tomatoes that are packed in oil. Just be sure to chop them so that they get evenly distributed in the Creamy Tuscan Shrimp Sauce.

Fresh Baby Spinach Leaves – 1 cup of packed fresh baby spinach leaves will initially seem like a lot, but the spinach leaves wilt down significantly when heated.

Fresh Basil – Basil leaves provide a hint of freshness to the sauce. However, if you don’t have any fresh basil you can add a little dried basil in the mix or simply leave it out.

Salt & Pepper – Once the dish is made, taste the sauce and add salt and pepper to taste. And if you like food with a little heat, add a dash or two of red pepper flakes.

Shrimp Recommendations

Wild-Caught Shrimp – It is best to purchase wild caught shrimp whenever possible. Not only are they healthier for you, but they also taste better.

Fresh vs. Frozen Shrimp – If you live near the coast where you can purchase same day fresh caught shrimp I highly recommend you do so. However, for many of us (me included) that isn’t an option. Instead, it is best to purchase frozen shrimp because it has been flash frozen the same day that it was caught.

Size – Shrimp is typically sold by the count. The number on the bag indicates how many shrimp that you will get per pound purchased. Large shrimp are sold as 31/35 count and medium are 41/50. The larger shrimp are better to use in this Creamy Tuscan Shrimp recipe since they are the star of the show.

Peeled & Deveined – To keep this recipe easy and simple purchase peeled and deveined shrimp. Otherwise you must peel and remove the vein on the back of the shrimp.

Tails On or Off – If I am making this dish for someone special and want a beautiful presentation, I will leave the tails on. However, when making it as a quick weeknight meal, I typically cut the tails off for the ease of eating.

Creamy Tuscan Shrimp Recipe

*A printable recipe card is located at the bottom of this article which contains the specific measurements, temperatures and cook times. However, continue reading below to learn about more helpful tips about this specific recipe.

INGREDIENTS

• 1⁄2 pound shrimp, (medium or large), peeled, deveined and thawed
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1⁄2 teaspoon flour
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1⁄2 cup heavy whipping cream
• 1⁄4 teaspoon lemon juice
• 1⁄8 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 2 Tablespoons cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
• 1 cup fresh baby spinach, packed
• 1⁄4 cup fresh basil, rolled and cut into thin strips
• Salt & fresh ground black pepper, to taste

Serving (optional)

• lemon wedges
• grated Parmesan cheese

INSTRUCTIONS FOR CREAMY TUSCAN SHRIMP

In a medium skillet, add the butter and melt over medium-high heat. Once the butter melts, add the flour and cook for about a minute, stirring until no clumps of flour remain. 

Add the garlic and cook, stirring constantly for about 30 seconds – 1 minute or just until fragrant.

Quickly stir in the cream, lemon juice, Italian seasoning, and sun-dried tomatoes. Reduce the heat to medium and let the mixture simmer for 2 minutes.

Add the spinach and cook for around 3 minutes or until the spinach begins to wilt.

Next add the shrimp and cook until the shrimp is just cooked through (turned pink) and the sauce is slightly thickened.

Stir in the basil just until incorporated. Season with salt & pepper to taste.

Serve immediately with a wedge of lemon and grated Parmesan cheese if desired.

Enjoy! Mary

Follow My Facebook Page For Great Recipes For Two! I Cook For Two Facebook Page

Other Delicious Shrimp Recipes

• Creamy Cajun Shrimp Boil
• Shrimp Pesto Pasta
• Cajun Shrimp & Rice
• Bacon Wrapped Shrimp
• Grilled Shrimp Skewers
• Shrimp Boil
• Garlic Butter Shrimp Scampi
• Honey Garlic Lime Shrimp

To receive FREE recipes delivered directly to your email, be sure to sign up for the iCookfortwo newsletter. A sign up form is located in the middle of this article. If you have any questions, comments, or want to submit an idea for a recipe for two, feel free to email at mary@icookfortwo.com