Name: Shrimp Pasta with Mascarpone
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 15 min
Ingredients: 12 ounces fettuccine; 4 tablespoons butter; 8 green onions (about 1/4 cup chopped); 3 cloves garlic (minced); ¾ cup white wine; 8 ounces mascarpone; 1 lb cooked shrimp; 5 ounces fresh baby spinach (about 8 cups); parmesan cheese

A quick and easy shrimp pasta with mascarpone is rich and creamy but made without heavy cream. Now that you know the secret ingredient is mascarpone, enjoy making this dish with pre-cooked shrimp and fettuccine for a restaurant quality weeknight dinner you can make in less than 30 minutes.

Are you looking for something other than chicken to make for dinner when you don’t have time or the energy to come up with a delicious meal? While queso chicken is fabulous and taco spaghetti is a great one pot meal, you’re going to want to add this shrimp and spinach pasta recipe to your weeknight rotation.

What’s so fabulous about this pasta dish is that it’s so simple to make yet it’s good enough to serve to friends. Or maybe you’re looking for a date night dinner, this creamy pasta recipe is perfect for special occasions.

Why you’ll love it

You can enjoy a creamy pasta recipe where heavy cream isn’t the main ingredient. Mascarpone cheese is the secret ingredient here!
White wine gives a lot of flavor to the dish
You can turn this dish into dinner in just 30 minutes
Shrimp takes the place of chicken in this dish and is packed with veggies

While fettuccine alfredo is great, try something different. Shrimp and spinach pasta is ultra creamy but won’t weigh you down. It’s still pretty decadent with mascarpone giving it that melt-in-your-mouth quality.

What is mascarpone cheese

If you’re not familiar with mascarpone, it’s an Italian cheese that’s used when filling cannoli’s. No wonder this is go good! Unlike cream cheese, it has a slightly sweet and buttery taste and a higher fat content which is what gives it such a creamy taste. The closest substitute would be creme fraiche.

What you’ll need

ingredients for past with shrimp and spinach

Fettuccine pasta – a flat pasta is best to absorb the sauce, other types of pasta like angel hair or penne don’t work as well. If you don’t have fettuccine, then try bucatini.
Butter, green onions and garlic – these form the base of the sauce. You could also add some mushrooms.
White wine – it takes less than a cup so you’ll still have plenty to drink with dinner.
Shrimp – to save time, I use frozen cooked shrimp. If you have uncooked shrimp, you can saute them in the butter and garlic before adding the wine.
Mascarpone – just 8 ounces, which is the small container that can be found in the cheese section of the grocery. You can substitute cream cheese it just won’t be quite as creamy and it will be a little tangy. A better substitute would be crème fraîche.
Fresh baby spinach – try to use baby spinach which is more tender and sweet. I use about 8 cups, but you can adjust per your taste.

How do you make shrimp pasta with mascarpone

Step 1 – Make the Pasta

Cook the pasta and drain. Reserve about a ¼ c of the pasta water and set aside. You can use it to thicken up your sauce if needed. While the pasta is cooking, prepare the sauce.

Step 2 – Build the Sauce

Start with a large skillet that will fit all of the pasta. Melt butter and add green onions and garlic.

Garlic and green onions cooked in butter

Once softened add white wine and simmer until reduced.

Step 3

Stir in mascarpone until melted. Add the pasta and shrimp and toss until the pasta is coated.

Pro tip: If you have picky eaters who don’t like seafood, toss the pasta in the sauce, take some out and then add the shrimp and spinach. The pasta and sauce is fabulous all by itself.

Step 4

Add fresh spinach and cook until it has wilted. It’ll look like you have too much spinach but once it’s cooked it will be just the right amount.

Step 5

Sprinkle with parmesan and serve.

Parmesan being added to shrimp and pasta

Recipe Notes

If using fresh shrimp, add it before you add the wine.
Try adding mushrooms with the onions and garlic.
This sauce is delicious and rich on its own. Try adding some red pepper flakes for a little spice.
If you keep lemon on hand, squeeze a lemon wedge over your pasta just before you’re about to eat it. Delicious!
Buying a block of Parmesan cheese and grating it yourself gives you a better flavor then pre-shredded.

What I love about this is that it’s quick to put together and pretty hard to mess up. Other than the pot for the pasta, you only have one pan to clean. If you have last minute friends for dinner, you can turn out a wonderful diner without any fear of failure, and in about 10 minutes. If you want a lighter shrimp and pasta recipe, try shrimp carbonara with fresh sweet corn.

What can you serve with shrimp and pasta

Since you already have veggies, carbs and protein, you don’t really need anything else. But when I have friends over, I’m always a little over the top. Try adding one of these salads:

More quick and easy dinner ideas

If you loved this recipe, give it a star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating! Also, snap a picture of your finished dish and share it with me on Instagram using the hashtag #butterandbaggage and tagging me @butterandbaggage.