Description
This restaurant-style creamy garlic shrimp recipe features tender shrimp in a rich garlic cream sauce served over buttery mashed potatoes. It’s a comforting, crowd-pleasing dinner that’s quick and easy enough for busy weeknights but special enough for celebrations.
Ingredients
- 2 pounds Russet or Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, plus extra for serving
- 3/4 cup whole milk or heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup chicken or seafood broth
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- Optional: Pinch of red pepper flakes
- Optional: Splash of dry white wine
Instructions
- Peel and cut potatoes into equal chunks. Place in a large pot, cover with cold water, and add a generous pinch of salt.
- Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to medium and simmer until potatoes are fork-tender (15-20 minutes).
- Drain potatoes in a colander and return to the pot. Add butter and milk or cream. Mash with a potato masher or beat with a hand mixer until smooth. Season with salt and pepper. Cover to keep warm.
- Pat shrimp dry with paper towels. Season lightly with salt and black pepper.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add shrimp in a single layer and cook 1-2 minutes per side until pink and opaque. Transfer shrimp to a plate.
- Reduce heat to medium. Add minced garlic to the skillet and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Pour in broth and scrape up browned bits. Stir in heavy cream and Parmesan cheese. Cook, stirring, until sauce thickens slightly (about 3 minutes).
- Add lemon juice and adjust seasoning. If needed, thin sauce with more broth or milk.
- Return shrimp to skillet and toss gently to coat in sauce. Heat through for 1 minute. Sprinkle with parsley.
- Spoon mashed potatoes onto plates or bowls. Top with creamy garlic shrimp and drizzle extra sauce. Garnish with more parsley or Parmesan. Serve immediately.
Notes
Use Yukon Gold potatoes for extra creamy mashed potatoes. Don’t overcook shrimp—remove as soon as they turn pink. For a lighter sauce, use half-and-half instead of heavy cream. Add a splash of white wine for depth. This recipe is naturally gluten-free; check broth and cheese labels. For dairy-free, use oat milk and vegan butter for potatoes, coconut cream for sauce. Mashed potatoes and shrimp can be made ahead and reheated gently.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 1/4th of the recipe (1 generous plate with shrimp and mashed potatoes)
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 3
- Sodium: 900
- Fat: 28
- Saturated Fat: 16
- Carbohydrates: 36
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 32
Keywords: creamy garlic shrimp, mashed potatoes, shrimp dinner, comfort food, easy seafood recipe, gluten-free, special occasion, quick dinner