This easy Shrimp and Spinach Pasta is a Mediterranean-inspired dinner made with juicy shrimp, sun-dried tomatoes, and a light, creamy sauce. A quick, one-pan meal that's ready in 30 minutes!
If you're craving a restaurant-quality pasta dish that's quick enough for a weeknight, you'll love this shrimp and spinach pasta. It's a Mediterranean-inspired dinner with tender shrimp, baby spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, and a light, creamy sauce that coats every strand of pasta.
This dish is comfort food with a healthy twist - full of lean protein, nutrient-packed veggies, and heart-healthy olive oil. Pair it with a simple green salad or roasted vegetables and you've got the perfect meal!
If you love easy one-pan dinners, don't miss my marry me chicken, skillet French onion chicken, and pasta with creamy cottage cheese sauce - they're reader favorites!
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Why You'll Love This Dish
- Quick & easy- ready in 30 minutes, perfect for busy weeknights
- Nutritious: Mediterranean-inspired with whole wheat pasta, baby spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, and heart-healthy olive oil
- Protein-packed: Shrimp provides lean, high-quality protein
- One-pan meal: Minimal cleanup- everything comes together in one pan
- Family-friendly: Even picky eaters will love it!
🩺 Doctor's Tips
- Protein and nutrient-rich: Shrimp is a lean, high-quality source of protein and also provides important nutrients like selenium, iodine, and vitamin B12. If you like shrimp, try my tasty shrimp saganaki (Greek shrimp with feta) or Spanish garlic shrimp.
- Packed with greens: Spinach provides iron, magnesium, and antioxidants.
- Whole grains for fiber: Using whole wheat pasta adds extra fiber, which helps stabilize blood sugar and keep you feeling full. Read more about the benefits of whole grains.
- Heart-healthy fats: Olive oil and shrimp provide omega-3s, which support cardiovascular health.
Ingredients
Ingredient notes and substitutions. See recipe card at the end of the post for full recipe details.
- Shrimp- I use large shrimp that are peeled and deveined; you can remove the tails or leave them on
- Pasta- I use whole wheat pasta; linguini or spaghetti work beautifully for this dish, but you can use short shapes like penne too
- Sun-dried tomatoes- add a delicious, tangy flavor; I use sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil and use the flavored oil from the jar in the dish
- Baby spinach- wilts into the sauce and adds a boost of color and nutrients; I use fresh spinach
- White wine- adds depth and acidity to the dish; you can substitute chicken broth or just leave it out
- Heavy cream- I add just enough to make the sauce luxuriously creamy without being too heavy; you can leave it out if you prefer
How To Make Shrimp and Spinach Pasta Step-By-Step
See recipe card at the end of the post for full recipe details.
- Step 1- Boil the pasta and reserve some of the pasta water. Meanwhile, heat olive oil from the sun-dried tomato jar in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season the shrimp and cook 3-4 minutes, until golden on both sides. Remove and set aside.
- Step 2- Add garlic to the skillet and sauté 30 seconds.
- Step 3- Deglaze the pan with wine and cook until reduced by half. Stir in chicken broth and let it simmer for 2-3 minutes.
- Step 4- Stir in heavy cream, sun-dried tomatoes, Italian seasoning, and parmesan. Simmer until slightly thickened.
- Step 5- Add the spinach and stir until wilted.
- Step 6- Add the cooked pasta and shrimp. Toss well to coat everything in the sauce. Add some of the pasta water as needed to coat the pasta. Garnish with chopped parsley and extra Parmesan, if desired.
Chef's Tips
- Don't overcook the shrimp! They only need 3-4 minutes total; overcooked shrimp can become tough.
- Set aside some of the pasta water. A splash helps the sauce cling beautifully to the noodles.
- White wine adds so much flavor to this Mediterranean shrimp pasta but you can substitute it with chicken broth
- Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat gently with a splash of broth or water to loosen the sauce.
What To Serve With This Dish
This creamy shrimp and spinach pasta pairs perfectly with:
- A crisp green salad or arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette
- Roasted or steamed vegetables like broccoli, asparagus, or my perfect oven-roasted vegetables
- A slice of crusty whole grain or sourdough bread for dipping into the sauce. You can also try my delicious pan con tomate (Spanish tomato bread).
- A glass of Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc to complement the Mediterranean flavors.
Recipe FAQs
Can I make this with frozen shrimp?
Yes! Just thaw the shrimp completely and pat dry before cooking.
Can I use another green instead of spinach?
Absolutely - kale, arugula, or Swiss chard all work well.
Can I make this without cream?
Yes, you can leave out the cream and use a little extra olive oil and pasta water to create a glossy sauce. Or try my Mediterranean pasta, which has no cream.
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Recipe
Shrimp and Spinach Pasta
This Shrimp and Spinach Pasta is a light, creamy, Mediterranean-inspired dish made with juicy shrimp, sun-dried tomatoes, and tender spinach tossed in a flavorful sauce. A quick and easy one-pan pasta that's ready in 30 minutes!
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Servings: 4
Calories: 452kcal
Equipment
Ingredients
- 8 ounces whole wheat pasta like linguini or spaghetti
- 1 tablespoon olive oil from the jar of sun dried tomatoes
- 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- ¼ teaspoon paprika
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
- 4 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
- ¼ cup white wine
- 1 cup reduced sodium chicken broth
- ⅓ cup heavy cream
- ⅓ cup sun dried tomatoes packed in oil, drained and chopped
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 2 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese
- 4 ounces baby spinach (about 4 cups)
- Parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Cook pasta in a large pot of salted water until al dente. Drain and reserve about ½ cup of the pasta water.
- Heat the olive oil from the jar of sun-dried tomatoes in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season the shrimp with paprika, salt, and pepper, and add them to the pan. Cook, stirring often, until golden brown on both sides 3-4 minutes. Remove shrimp and set aside.
- Add the garlic to the juices in the skillet and cook 30 seconds until fragrant. Raise heat to high and add the wine. Cook until wine is reduced by half. Add the chicken broth and cook another 2-3 minutes until partially reduced.
- Add the cream, sun dried tomatoes, Italian seasoning and parmesan cheese. Simmer until thickened.
- Stir in the baby spinach and cook until wilted.
- Add the cooked pasta and shrimp (along with the juices) back to the pan and stir to combine all ingredients. Add some of the reserved pasta water as need to coat all the pasta. Cook another minute or two until heated through. Garnish with chopped parsley. Serve with extra Parmesan cheese on the side, if desired.
Notes
- Don't overcook the shrimp! They only need 3-4 minutes total; overcooked shrimp can become tough.
- Set aside some of the pasta water. A splash helps the sauce cling beautifully to the noodles.
- White wine adds so much flavor to this Mediterranean shrimp pasta but you can substitute it with chicken broth
- Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat gently with a splash of broth or water to loosen the sauce.
Nutrition
Serving: 1 serving | Calories: 452kcal | Carbohydrates: 45g | Protein: 34g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 207mg | Sodium: 381mg | Potassium: 873mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 3056IU | Vitamin C: 13mg | Calcium: 159mg | Iron: 3mg
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Jennifer Berkey says
I am loving this pasta recipe. I made it this New Year's Eve Party celebration. My kids love it and they won't stop eating. Thanks for this. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Xoxo.
sonaliruder says
That's great, so glad you and your family enjoyed it! Happy New Year!
Kimberly says
My daughter loves shrimp pasta. I can’t wait make it for her. Thanks for the recipe.
Krystal Herrera says
Can't wait to try this recipe it looks so simple yet delicious! As a freelancer and a hands-on Mom, it's quite difficult to find recipes that totally saves my time. Anyways, great post. Surely something to try!
Sheila says
This is a perfect dish for busy moms who do not have enough time to prepare dinner. Was so happy to come up with something delicious in just 30 minutes. Thank you for sharing the recipe.
url says
Oh yes, I remember Gorton's fish dishes, so many years ago, a perfect quick dinner. You make it more delicious by adding the shrimp to a new recipe, with a Mediterranean touch.
Definitely on my next shopping list. Thank you Sonali.