Creamy Garlic Shrimp: A Quick and Delicious Weeknight Meal

This creamy garlic shrimp recipe is a weeknight winner! It's quick, easy, and packed with flavor. Perfect served over pasta, rice, or even just with some crusty bread for dipping.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup butter
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Olive oil or cooking spray

Instructions:

1. Prep the shrimp: Rinse the shrimp and pat them dry with paper towels. This helps them brown better.
2. Sauté the garlic: In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds, until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic.
3. Cook the shrimp: Add the shrimp to the skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes per side, or until pink and cooked through. Don't overcrowd the pan; you might need to cook the shrimp in batches. Remove the shrimp from the skillet and set aside.
4. Make the sauce: In the same skillet, pour in the heavy cream and bring to a simmer. Reduce the heat to low and stir in the Parmesan cheese. Continue stirring until the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth.
5. Combine and serve: Add the cooked shrimp back to the skillet. Stir in the parsley and red pepper flakes (if using). Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve immediately over your choice of pasta, rice, or with crusty bread.
   
   
   

Tips and Variations:

• For extra flavor, you can add a splash of white wine or lemon juice to the sauce.
• If you don't have heavy cream, you can substitute with half-and-half, but the sauce won't be as thick.
• Add other vegetables like spinach, asparagus, or sun-dried tomatoes for a more complete meal.
• For a spicier dish, add more red pepper flakes or a pinch of cayenne pepper.
• Garnish with extra parsley and Parmesan cheese before serving.

Enjoy!