Description
Creamy Spinach Mushroom Shrimp Shells feature tender shrimp, fresh spinach, and earthy mushrooms nestled inside large pasta shells, all coated in a luscious creamy Parmesan sauce. Ready in under 30 minutes, this quick and family-friendly dish offers balanced nutrition and rich flavors, perfect for busy weeknights or cozy meals.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta & Shrimp
- 12 large pasta shells
- 1 lb fresh or thawed shrimp, peeled and deveined
Vegetables & Aromatics
- 3 cups fresh spinach
- 1 ½ cups mushrooms, sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Sauce & Seasoning
- 1 cup heavy cream or half-and-half
- ¾ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Cook the Shells: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta shells according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside, ensuring shells are firm enough to hold the filling.
- Sauté Shrimp and Vegetables: Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook until fragrant. Add shrimp and cook until opaque and just cooked through, about 2-3 minutes per side. Remove shrimp and set aside. In the same skillet, sauté mushrooms until golden brown, then add fresh spinach and cook until wilted.
- Prepare the Creamy Sauce: Pour heavy cream into the skillet with the cooked vegetables and bring to a gentle simmer. Stir in grated Parmesan cheese, then season with salt and black pepper. Allow the sauce to thicken slightly while stirring occasionally.
- Combine Shrimp and Sauce: Return the cooked shrimp to the skillet and stir to coat evenly in the creamy sauce. Adjust seasoning if needed.
- Assemble the Shells: Spoon the shrimp and vegetable creamy mixture generously into each cooked pasta shell. Arrange the filled shells in a serving dish. Pour any excess sauce over the shells for extra creaminess before serving.
Notes
- Do not overcook the shrimp; remove as soon as they turn pink to keep them tender.
- Use fresh shrimp when possible for the best flavor and texture.
- Reserve a small amount of pasta water to loosen the sauce if it becomes too thick.
- Grate your own Parmesan cheese for superior flavor and meltability.
- Taste and season with salt and pepper throughout cooking to balance flavors.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 550 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 190 mg