Tuscan cooking is based on simplicity, heartiness, and deliciousness. Few recipes exemplify these concepts as Creamy Tuscan Shrimp. Fresh, mild, sweet shrimp are sauteed in a light, creamy sauce for a rustic, tasty dinner. Creamy Tuscan Shrimp is a bright, sparkling, refreshing dinner for the summer, with just a hint of sharpness to accentuate the shrimp flavor. Befitting the homespun roots of this dish, you can have this meal ready in 20 minutes or less. Creamy Tuscan Shrimp is perfect paired with white wine and cheery moments.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons salted butter
- 6 cloves garlic, finely diced
- 1 pound shrimp
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 1/2 cup white wine, optional
- 5 ounces jarred sun-dried tomato strips in oil, drained but reserving 1 teaspoon of the oil
- 1 3/4 cups half-and-half
- salt, to taste
- pepper, to taste
- 3 cups baby spinach leaves, washed
- 2/3 cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch slurry, optional
- 2 teaspoons dried Italian herbs, or to taste
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
- rice, optional, cooked, for serving
- pasta, optional, cooked, for serving
- vegetables, optional, steamed for serving
Directions
Step 1 –Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat.
Step 2 –Melt the butter and add in the garlic.
Step 3 –Fry until fragrant, about 1 minute.
Step 4 –Add in the shrimp and fry until slightly cooked through and pink, about 2 minutes on each side.
Step 5 –Move the shrimp to a bowl and set it aside.
Step 6 –Fry the onion in the butter leftover in the skillet.
Step 7 –Pour in the white wine and cook until the mixture reduces by half, scraping any bits off the bottom of the pan. These bits are called fond, and they’re the secret to making sauces taste amazing.
Step 8 –Add the sun-dried tomatoes and reserved oil and cook for 1-2 minutes.
Step 9 –Reduce the heat to low-medium.
Step 10 –Add the half-and-half and bring to a low simmer, stirring occasionally.
Step 11 –Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Step 12 –Add in the spinach leaves, cooking until they wilt in the sauce
Step 13 –Add in the parmesan cheese. Allow the sauce to simmer until the cheese melts through the sauce. For a thicker sauce, add the cornstarch slurry to the center of the pan and let simmer while stirring the mixture quickly until the sauce thickens.
Step 14 –Add the shrimp back into the pan.
Step 15 –Add in the herbs and parsley to taste.
Step 16 –Serve over rice, pasta, or steamed vegetables!
