Creamy Shrimp Pasta with Tomato and Spinach

Creamy Shrimp Pasta recipe with bursts of tomato flavor and fresh spinach tastes like pure decadence. This simple shrimp pasta dish comes together quickly and makes a great weeknight meal or elegant enough for company.

Easy pasta recipes with shrimp are always a favorite in our house. They’re delicious with simple ingredients or can be loaded with cream and cheese sauces.

True story here. I have a good friend that worked for the Red Cross so was adamant about giving blood. She saw first hand what happened when there was a shortage of blood and did her part giving.

We got together and she told me that she’d had lunch before she went to give blood and had ordered an Alfredo pasta dish. When she got hooked up for her donation there was so much fat in her blood that it would hardly go through the cannula. They unhooked her and told her to come back another time.

I haven’t eaten Alfredo sauce since!

Alfredo sauce is a combination of cream, butter, and cheese. Basically, a decadent fat sauce.

That being said, it hasn’t stopped me from making my own version of a cheesy cream sauce. This easy Shrimp Pasta recipe doesn’t have a drop of cream or butter in it! You’d never know it though.

I’m not calling this a healthy dish. It does have some delicious grated cheese that takes a simple shrimp recipe and elevates it to company status even though it comes together fast enough to make after a day of work.

I totally understand how busy you are so if you don’t have time for our helpful tips and delicious recipe ideas, just scroll to the bottom of the page where you can find the printable recipe card.

What’s the best shrimp size for this delicious pasta with shrimp?

Shrimp are sold in the U.S. by the pound. They are categorized according to how many it takes to make a pound as follows:

The above information varies according to the supplier so go by the count before the description on the packaging. I buy the Jumbo size but the large work well too. I buy them when they’re on sale and put them in the freezer.

Shrimp go great in all kinds of dishes. Cheese varieties, flavors, courses, and cuisines are endless. A bag of shrimp in the freezer have you ready for anything including this easy shrimp pasta recipe. Keep scrolling for more shrimp inspiration!

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What’s the best kind of cheese to use in this creamy shrimp pasta dish?

I used Grand Cru which is the United States version of Gruyere. Other cheeses that would be delicious in this dish are as follows:

• Jarlesberg
• Emmentaler
• Raclette
• Compte

The best cheese is one that you like. See if you can sample the cheese you want to try before buying it. I really recommend buying it by the block and grating it yourself. It’s usually cheaper and it doesn’t add that much extra time, and I think it tastes fresher. The anti-clump ingredient in bags of shredded cheese dries the cheese.

What is Gruyere Cheese?

Named for the town of Gruyères in Switzerland where it was originally made, Gruyere cheese is a firm cheese with a pale yellow color and a rich, creamy, slightly nutty taste. Gruyere (pronounced “groo-YAIR”) is a smooth-melting type of Swiss cheese that’s made from whole cow’s milk and generally cured for six months or longer.

We’re shrimp fanatics in this house! If you are too, I think you’ll like these recipes!

• Most Amazing Shrimp BLT Sandwich
• Grilled Shrimp Salad with Wheat Berries
• Bacon Wrapped Shrimp with Avocado Dip
• Sweet Heat Asian Grilled Shrimp Skewers

You Might Need:

• Pasta Cooker – I like using a pasta cooker because it allows me to cook pasta with less water and drain my pasta without losing my pasta water. I use the pot by itself when I need a large pot too.
• Spaghetti Server – This server can grab a lot of pasta. It’s nice and heavy and a good looking serving tool too.
• Boxed Grater – I shred my own cheese. I think the cheese is fresher, doesn’t contain anti-clumping agents, and is more cost effective.

Print

5 from 16 votes

Creamy Shrimp Pasta With Tomato and Spinach

Creamy Shrimp Pasta with Tomato & Spinach is a saucy comfort meal that doesn't weigh you down. It's perfect for a weeknight dinner and elegant enough for company.

Prep Time 15 mins

Cook Time 20 mins

Total Time 35 mins

Servings 6

Author Julie Menghini

Ingredients

• 1 lb shrimp large, remove shell & devein
• 1 lb Cavatappi Pasta or pasta of your choice, cooked al dente
• 14.5 oz diced tomatoes caned in tomato juice
• 2 cups spinach fresh
• 1 cup chicken stock
• 2½ cups Gruyere or similar semi-hard cheese *divided
• 1 tbsp dried oregano
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• ½ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp pepper
• 1¼ tbsp arrowroot powder

Instructions

• Dissolve arrowroot powder with chicken stock and whisk to combine.
• In a large skillet add chicken stock mixture, canned tomatoes & juice, oregano, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Bring to a simmer. Add 2 cups of the grated cheese and stir until smooth.
• Add shrimp to the skillet and cook 5 minutes or until shrimp are pink. Don't over cook. They will continue to cook in the hot dish.
• Add cooked pasta and spinach. Stir to combine and let sit a few minutes until spinach wilts.
• Serve in bowls and garnish with remaining 1/2 cup of grated cheese.

Notes

If the liquid is too thick add a little pasta water.

Nutrition

Calories: 621kcal | Carbohydrates: 63g | Protein: 44g | Fat: 21g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Cholesterol: 252mg | Sodium: 1043mg | Potassium: 511mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 1555IU | Vitamin C: 12.3mg | Calcium: 726mg | Iron: 4mg

This recipe was calculated using the exact brands and measurements I used to make this recipe. If you are following a strict diet please note changing anything will cause the nutritional info to change. My calculations are intended as a guide only.

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What is your favorite sauce for pasta? Please leave us a comment! I get my inspiration from you!

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