Creamy Garlic Prawn Pasta

Creamy Garlic Prawn Pasta

This creamy garlic prawn pasta is a sensational dish that brings together succulent, perfectly cooked prawns with a rich, garlicky cream sauce, all tossed with tender fettuccine. It’s the kind of meal that feels luxurious and indulgent, yet is surprisingly simple to prepare. Ideal for busy weeknights when you crave something special, or for impressing guests without spending hours in the kitchen. The beauty of this prawn pasta lies in its balance of flavors and textures – the sweetness of the pr

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Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 25 minutes mins

Servings: 4

Course: Main Course

Calories: 650

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 12 oz / 350g fettuccine (, or other long strand pasta of choice)
• 50 g / 3 tbsp unsalted butter (, separated)
• 500 g / 1 lb small or medium peeled prawns / shrimp (, raw or 1kg / 2 lb whole unpeeled)
• 4 garlic cloves (, finely minced with a knife)
• 1/2 cup Chardonnay or other dry white wine
• 1 1/4 cups heavy / thickened cream (full fat)
• 1/2 cup chicken broth (preferably low sodium)
• 3/4 cup (75 g) finely grated parmesan cheese
• 2 tbsp finely chopped parsley (, optional)
• Black pepper

Method

 

1. Cook pasta in boiling salted water until 1 minute under al dente.
2. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
3. Melt 1/3 butter in skillet over medium-high heat. Cook half the prawns for 1.5 minutes per side until pink. Remove and repeat with remaining butter and prawns.
4. Add remaining butter to the skillet, then sauté minced garlic for 20 seconds until fragrant.
5. Deglaze with white wine, simmering rapidly for 2 minutes until mostly evaporated.
6. Add heavy cream, chicken broth, and Parmesan cheese. Stir until cheese melts and simmer for 1.5 minutes until slightly thickened.
7. Add cooked prawns, drained pasta, and 1/4 cup pasta water to the skillet. Toss energetically over medium-high heat for 1-2 minutes until sauce clings to pasta, adding more pasta water if needed.
8. Stir in parsley and black pepper. Taste and adjust seasoning. Serve immediately.

Notes

– Reserve more pasta water than you think you’ll need; it’s liquid gold for achieving the perfect sauce consistency.
– Ensure your prawns are fully thawed if using frozen. Cook them in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan, which steams them instead of searing.
– Use freshly grated Parmesan for the best flavor and meltability. Pre-grated cheese often contains anti-caking agents that can make the sauce gritty.
– Storage: Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave, adding a splash of milk or cream if the sauce seems too thick.

Nutrition information is an estimate, calculated automatically. Values vary with brands, substitutions and portion sizes.

Pro tips

• Reserve more pasta water than you think you’ll need; it’s liquid gold for achieving the perfect sauce consistency.
• Ensure your prawns are fully thawed if using frozen. Cook them in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan, which steams them instead of searing.
• Use freshly grated Parmesan for the best flavor and meltability. Pre-grated cheese often contains anti-caking agents that can make the sauce gritty.
• Storage: Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave, adding a splash of milk or cream if the sauce seems too thick.

This creamy garlic prawn pasta is a testament to how simple ingredients can create a truly memorable meal. Enjoy this elegant dish any night of the week!

Try this next: Creamy Shrimp Pasta Recipe

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