Creamy Shrimp Farfalle – Bow Tie Shrimp Pasta

As a parent, I know all too well the chaotic energy that fills the house once everyone’s back home. Whether it’s breaking up sibling squabbles or keeping things running smoothly, dinner can often feel like an afterthought.

That’s why meals like this creamy shrimp farfalle are a lifesaver—wholesome and filling, but simple enough to fit into the busiest of weeknights. It’s one of those dishes you can rely on when you need to get dinner on the table fast, but still want something that feels indulgent for the whole family.

Shrimp are tossed with farfalle pasta, enveloped in a luxurious cream-based sauce. It is the perfect dish to pick you up after a rough day, AND to keep those awesome kids energized.

Creamy Shrimp Farfalle – Bow Tie Shrimp Pasta

1. Prepare the Shrimp

• Arrange the peeled and deveined shrimp on a shallow plate.
• Sprinkle the shrimp with the onion powder, a pinch of salt, and cracked black pepper.
• Set the seasoned shrimp aside while preparing the rest of the ingredients.

2. Cook the Pasta

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the farfalle pasta and cook according to the package instructions, about 10 minutes, until al dente.
• Reserve 1/2 cup (120ml) of the pasta water and drain the rest. Set the pasta aside while keeping the pasta water for the sauce.

3. Sauté the Shrimp

• Heat 2 tbsp of the reserved oil from the sun-dried tomatoes in a large skillet over medium heat.
• Add the shrimp in a single layer and cook for about 1 minute per side, or until they turn pink and slightly golden brown.
• While cooking, season the shrimp with an additional pinch of salt.
• Remove the shrimp from the skillet and set them aside on a plate, keeping the oil in the skillet for the next step.

4. Prepare the Sauce

• In the same skillet, add the minced garlic and chopped sun-dried tomatoes. Sauté for 1-2 minutes until the garlic becomes fragrant and the tomatoes are slightly softened.
• Pour in the seafood or chicken broth, followed by the heavy cream. Stir the mixture and bring it to a gentle simmer over medium heat.
• Once the sauce begins to bubble, reduce the heat to low and stir in the shredded parmesan. Continue to stir until the cheese is fully melted and the sauce thickens slightly, about 2-3 minutes.

5. Season the Sauce

• Add the dried basil, red chili pepper flakes, and sweet paprika to the sauce.
• Stir well and taste the sauce to adjust seasoning with more salt and black pepper as needed.

6. Combine Pasta and Shrimp

• Add the cooked farfalle pasta into the skillet with the creamy sauce.
• Gently toss the pasta in the sauce to ensure it is evenly coated. If the sauce becomes too thick, stir in some of the reserved pasta water, adding it a little at a time until you reach your desired consistency.
• Return the cooked shrimp to the skillet and stir gently to combine everything. Let the dish simmer on low for 1-2 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.

7. Serve

• Remove the skillet from heat and garnish the dish with the grated parmesan and a sprinkle of freshly cracked black pepper.
• Serve the creamy shrimp farfalle immediately, while it’s hot and fresh. Enjoy!

Recipe Notes

• Pasta Water: Adding pasta water to the sauce helps to loosen it up and also provides extra starch to help the sauce cling to the pasta.
• Shrimp: Be sure not to overcook the shrimp. They should only need about 1 minute per side; overcooking can result in rubbery shrimp.
• Substitutions: You can substitute half-and-half for whipping cream if you prefer a lighter sauce, but it may not be as rich. Additionally, chicken broth works well if seafood broth isn’t available.

Creamy Shrimp Farfalle – Bow Tie Shrimp Pasta

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5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.7 from 13 reviews

• Author: Jerri Green
• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: Serves 4
• Diet: Omnivore, Pescatarian

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Description

A simple, delicious weeknight pasta dish. Creamy shrimp sauce over bow tie pasta—perfect for busy evenings!

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Ingredients

Units USM Scale 1x2x3x

• 8 oz (240 g) farfalle pasta
• 1/2 cup (120 ml) reserved pasta water
• 1 lb (454 g) shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp cracked black pepper
• 3 garlic cloves, finely chopped
• 4 oz (120 g) sun-dried tomatoes, chopped and drained
• 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream or whipping cream
• 1/4 cup (60 ml) seafood or chicken broth
• 1 cup (100 g) shredded parmesan cheese
• 1 tbsp dried basil
• 1/4 tsp red chili pepper flakes
• 1/8 tsp sweet paprika
• 2 tbsp grated parmesan
• Additional cracked black pepper

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Instructions

1. Prepare the Shrimp: Arrange the peeled and deveined shrimp on a shallow plate. Sprinkle the shrimp with onion powder, salt, and cracked black pepper. Set aside.
2. Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add farfalle pasta and cook for about 10 minutes, until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup (120ml) of pasta water, then drain the rest. Set pasta aside.
3. Sauté the Shrimp: Heat 2 tbsp of oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add shrimp in a single layer and cook for about 1 minute per side, until pink and slightly golden brown. Season with salt. Remove shrimp from skillet, reserving the oil.
4. Prepare the Sauce: In the same skillet, add minced garlic and chopped sun-dried tomatoes. Sauté for 1-2 minutes. Pour in seafood or chicken broth and heavy cream. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat. Reduce heat to low, stir in shredded parmesan until melted and sauce thickens (2-3 minutes).
5. Season the Sauce: Add dried basil, red chili pepper flakes, and sweet paprika. Stir well and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
6. Combine Pasta and Shrimp: Add cooked farfalle to the skillet with the sauce. Toss to coat. If too thick, add reserved pasta water. Return shrimp to the skillet and stir gently. Simmer on low for 1-2 minutes.
7. Serve: Remove from heat. Garnish with grated parmesan and cracked black pepper. Serve immediately.

Notes

• For a richer flavor, use a combination of heavy cream and crème fraîche in the sauce.
• If you don’t have sun-dried tomatoes, you can substitute a 1/2 cup of chopped cherry tomatoes.
• To make this dish ahead, cook the pasta and shrimp separately. Combine just before serving to prevent overcooking.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 1/2 cups
• Calories: 450
• Sugar: 5
• Sodium: 600
• Fat: 25
• Saturated Fat: 15
• Unsaturated Fat: 8
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 45
• Fiber: 3
• Protein: 30
• Cholesterol: 150

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