So, you’re craving something fancy but don’t feel like playing “Top Chef” in your own kitchen? Same. That’s why this Mediterranean Seafood Fettuccine with Creamy Shrimp exists—it looks like something you’d order at a restaurant where the waiter judges your water-drinking speed, but secretly, it’s just noodles + seafood + creamy sauce = happiness.
This dish is basically the culinary equivalent of dressing up sweatpants with a nice jacket. Effortless, but you look like you tried.
Why This Recipe is Awesome
- First off, creamy shrimp pasta. Do I even need to continue?
- It’s Mediterranean-inspired, which means you can tell yourself it’s healthy because, you know, olive oil = magic.
- It’s a one-pan wonder (well, plus a pasta pot, but we’re not counting that). Less cleanup = more Netflix.
- It makes you look like a seafood connoisseur when really, you just know how to boil water.
- Honestly, it’s idiot-proof. Even I didn’t mess it up.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Here’s the lineup of MVPs for your pasta party:
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Fettuccine – flat, wide noodles that hold creamy sauce like a champ.
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Shrimp – peeled, deveined, tails off (unless you like playing surgery with your dinner).
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Mixed seafood – optional, but clams, mussels, or scallops = chef’s kiss.
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Olive oil – Mediterranean liquid gold.
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Butter – because flavor. Don’t argue.
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Garlic – more is better. Vampires beware.
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Cherry tomatoes – for that sweet, juicy pop.
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Spinach or kale – balance out the cream with something green. Adulting 101.
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Heavy cream – the secret to saucy dreams.
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Parmesan cheese – fresh-grated, none of that dusty shaker stuff.
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Lemon juice – for that zesty “I know what I’m doing” vibe.
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Salt & pepper – your taste buds’ BFFs.
- Red pepper flakes – optional, but highly recommended for a little sass.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Alright, apron on. Let’s do this:
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Cook your pasta. Boil fettuccine in salted water until al dente. Drain, but save a cup of pasta water (liquid gold, trust me).
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Sauté the shrimp. Heat olive oil + butter in a pan. Toss in shrimp. Cook until pink and slightly curled (a couple minutes per side). Remove and set aside.
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Build the flavor base. In the same pan, add garlic. Sauté until fragrant (aka smells amazing). Toss in cherry tomatoes. Cook until they’re blistered and juicy.
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Add greens. Throw in spinach/kale. Let it wilt down like it just heard bad news.
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Cream it up. Pour in heavy cream. Stir. Add Parmesan. Stir again. Watch it turn into creamy heaven.
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Season. Salt, pepper, red pepper flakes, and a squeeze of lemon juice. Taste test (mandatory chef’s snack).
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Combine. Add cooked fettuccine + shrimp back into the sauce. Toss until everything is coated and glossy. Use a splash of pasta water if it’s too thick.
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Serve. Extra Parmesan on top (duh). Maybe a sprinkle of parsley if you’re feeling fancy.
Done. That’s it. Restaurant-level dish in under 40 minutes.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
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Overcooking shrimp. Nothing ruins a good dish like rubbery seafood. Cook it until just pink.
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Skipping the pasta water. That starchy liquid is the glue for your sauce. Don’t pour it down the drain like a rookie.
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Using pre-shredded Parmesan. That stuff doesn’t melt right. Don’t do your pasta dirty.
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Forgetting lemon juice. Without it, the dish feels heavy. With it, it feels like a Mediterranean vacation.
Alternatives & Substitutions
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No shrimp? Use chicken. Still tasty.
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No cream? Sub with half-and-half, but don’t come crying to me when it’s less luscious.
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Gluten-free? Grab GF pasta—it works fine.
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Vegan? Use coconut cream and skip the seafood. Not the same, but still good.
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Hate spinach? Use zucchini ribbons or peas. Basically, just throw in a veggie and call it balanced.
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
- Can I use frozen shrimp?
Yep! Just thaw it first, or else you’ll end up steaming it into bland sadness. - Do I really need to devein shrimp?
Technically no, but do you want to eat shrimp poop? Didn’t think so. - Can I make this ahead of time?
You can, but pasta + cream sauce don’t love sitting around. Best eaten fresh. - What wine goes with this?
White wine. Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio. Or, honestly, whatever’s already in your fridge. - Can I make it spicy?
Absolutely—double the red pepper flakes if you like living dangerously. - Do I need seafood mix, or is shrimp enough?
Shrimp alone works great, but extra seafood = extra bragging rights. - How long does it keep in the fridge?
About 2 days. After that, it’s sketchy.
Final Thoughts
And there you have it—Mediterranean Seafood Fettuccine with Creamy Shrimp that looks fancy but is secretly just easy-peasy comfort food. Honestly, this is the kind of dish that makes you feel like you could host a dinner party… or at least impress your mom.
So go on—grab your fork, twirl that fettuccine, and bask in the glory of making seafood pasta without breaking a sweat. Now go impress someone—or yourself—with your new culinary skills. You’ve earned it!
You May Want To Try Some Easy Recipes:-
- Easy 2 Banana Bread Recipe
- Chicken Bacon Ranch Stuffed Bread Recipe
- Soft Pumpkin Spice Cookies Recipe
- Easy Fluffy Vanilla Cake Recipe
- Easy Greek Lemon Chicken Soup (Avgolemono) Recipe
Mediterranean Seafood Fettuccine with Creamy Shrimp Recipe
Ingredients
Main Ingredients:
- 12 oz fettuccine or gluten-free pasta
- 1 lb large shrimp peeled and deveined (or shell-on for extra flavor)
- 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil or butter
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 1 small shallot finely chopped
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
- ½ cup dry white wine or chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream or coconut cream for dairy-free
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese optional, omit for dairy-free
- Zest and juice of 1 lemon
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- ¼ tsp red pepper flakes optional
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- ¼ cup fresh parsley chopped
- ¼ cup fresh basil chopped
Optional Add-Ins:
- ½ lb scallops or mussels
- 1 cup spinach or arugula
Instructions
- Cook the fettuccine: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add fettuccine and cook according to package instructions (8-10 minutes for al dente). Drain, reserving 1/2 cup pasta water, and set aside.
- Sauté the shrimp: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season shrimp with salt, pepper, and 1/2 tsp smoked paprika. Sauté for 2-3 minutes per side until pink and opaque. Remove and set aside.
- Cook the aromatics: In the same skillet, add remaining 1 tbsp olive oil. Sauté garlic and shallot for 1-2 minutes until fragrant. Add cherry tomatoes and cook for 3 minutes until softened.
- Deglaze and build the sauce: Pour in white wine (or broth) and simmer for 2 minutes. Stir in heavy cream, lemon zest, lemon juice, oregano, and red pepper flakes. Simmer for 5 minutes until thickened.
- Combine ingredients: Add cooked fettuccine and shrimp back to the skillet. Toss to coat, adding reserved pasta water (1 tbsp at a time) if needed. Stir in Parmesan cheese, if using, until melted.
- Garnish and serve: Remove from heat. Sprinkle with parsley, basil, and black pepper. Serve with lemon wedges.
Notes
- Storage Tips: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop with a splash of cream or broth to revive the sauce.
- Substitutions: Swap fettuccine for zucchini noodles for a low-carb version. Use coconut cream and omit Parmesan for a dairy-free dish.
- Make It Spicy: Increase red pepper flakes or add a dash of cayenne for extra heat.
- Seafood Variations: Add scallops (sear 2-3 minutes per side) or mussels (steam 4-5 minutes until shells open) for a seafood medley.
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