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Shrimp Tortellini with Lemon Garlic Cream Sauce: A Perfect Blend of Richness and Flavor


  • Author: Wendy Balderas

Ingredients

Scale

For this recipe, you’ll need:

Main Ingredients:

  • 1 lb cheese tortellini: Look for fresh or frozen cheese tortellini, which will form the hearty base of the dish.
  • 1 lb large shrimp: Make sure they are peeled and deveined for ease. You can use fresh or frozen shrimp.

For the Sauce:

  • 2 tbsp olive oil: For sautéing the shrimp and garlic.
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced: Fresh garlic adds robust flavor to the sauce.
  • 1 cup heavy cream: The base of the rich, creamy sauce.
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth: This adds depth and thins the sauce slightly.
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese: Parmesan gives the sauce its savory, umami richness.
  • 1 lemon, zested and juiced: For that bright, tangy note to balance the creaminess.
  • 1 tsp dried basil: Adds a subtle herbaceous note.
  • 1 tsp dried thyme: Enhances the savory flavor of the dish.
  • Salt and pepper: To season the shrimp and sauce.

For Garnish:

  • Fresh parsley, chopped: Adds freshness and color to the final dish.

Instructions

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Cook the Tortellini

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. The salt helps flavor the pasta while cooking.
  2. Add the cheese tortellini to the boiling water and cook according to the package instructions. Usually, this takes about 5-7 minutes for fresh tortellini or 8-10 minutes for frozen.
  3. Drain the tortellini and set it aside once cooked to al dente, meaning it should still have a slight firmness.

2. Cook the Shrimp

  1. Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
  2. Add the peeled and deveined shrimp to the skillet. Make sure the shrimp are patted dry to avoid excess moisture in the pan.
  3. Season the shrimp with salt and pepper. You can adjust the seasoning to your taste.
  4. Cook the shrimp for about 2-3 minutes on each side, or until they turn pink and opaque. Be careful not to overcook them, as they can become rubbery.
  5. Remove the shrimp from the skillet and set aside.

3. Prepare the Lemon Garlic Cream Sauce

  1. In the same skillet, add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute, until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic, as it will turn bitter.
  2. Pour in the heavy cream and chicken broth, stirring to combine and bring the liquid to a simmer.
  3. Add the grated Parmesan cheese, allowing it to melt into the sauce.
  4. Stir in the lemon zest, lemon juice, dried basil, and dried thyme. Simmer the sauce for about 5-7 minutes until it thickens slightly. The lemon juice will brighten the sauce, while the Parmesan will add creaminess.
  5. Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning with additional salt and pepper, if needed.

4. Combine Everything

  1. Return the cooked tortellini and shrimp to the skillet with the sauce. Toss everything together gently to ensure the tortellini and shrimp are well coated in the creamy lemon garlic sauce.
  2. Allow everything to heat through for 1-2 minutes, stirring occasionally.

5. Serve

  1. Transfer the shrimp tortellini to serving plates, ensuring each plate has a generous portion of shrimp and sauce.
  2. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley for a pop of color and flavor.
  3. Serve immediately for the best taste and texture.