Easy Marry Me Shrimp

Featured in Filling Main Courses.

Easy Marry Me Shrimp combines juicy shrimp with a flavorful creamy sauce infused with sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, and spinach. This quick and delicious dish is perfect for weeknight dinners, offering a balance of rich flavors and fresh ingredients. With just a few steps, you can whip up a restaurant-quality meal in no time. Serve with rice, pasta, or vegetables for a complete, satisfying plate.

Clare Greco
Updated on Mon, 05 May 2025 20:18:53 GMT
A bowl of shrimp and greens. Pin it
A bowl of shrimp and greens. | recipesim.com

This hearty marry me shrimp recipe has become my date night secret weapon, featuring tender shrimp in a luscious creamy sauce with sun-dried tomatoes and spinach. The name says it all—it's so delicious it might just prompt a proposal!

I first made this recipe when trying to impress my partner on our anniversary. The kitchen filled with the most amazing aromas, and now it's requested at least twice a month in our home. The combination of creamy sauce and perfectly cooked shrimp never disappoints.

Ingredients

  • 1½ pounds shrimp: peeled deveined and rinsed look for large or jumbo size for the best texture
  • 1/2 teaspoon each of salt, paprika and Italian herb blend: these create the perfect seasoning base
  • 1 tablespoon butter: adds richness to the sauce foundation
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil: helps prevent butter from burning at higher temperatures
  • 1 small onion, diced: provides sweetness and depth to the sauce
  • 5 cloves garlic, minced: fresh garlic is essential for authentic flavor
  • 1/2 cup white wine: deglazes the pan and adds complexity use a dry variety you would drink
  • 5 ounces sun-dried tomatoes, drained and sliced: brings concentrated tangy sweetness
  • 1⅓ cups half and half: creates the silky sauce without being too heavy
  • Salt and pepper: to taste for final seasoning adjustments
  • 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese: freshly grated melts better than pre-packaged
  • 1 large handful baby spinach: adds color nutrients and slight earthy flavor

Step-by-Step Instructions

Prep The Shrimp:
Pat your shrimp completely dry with paper towels to ensure proper browning. Season them generously all over with the salt, paprika and Italian herb blend, making sure each piece is evenly coated. This seasoning creates the flavor foundation for the entire dish.
Sear The Shrimp:
In a large skillet over medium-high heat, melt the butter alongside the olive oil until the mixture begins to bubble slightly. Once the pan is properly hot, carefully add the seasoned shrimp in a single layer without overcrowding. Cook for exactly 1-2 minutes per side until they just turn pink and opaque. They should have a slight sear but not be fully cooked through. Transfer to a clean plate and set aside. They will finish cooking later in the sauce.
Build The Sauce Base:
Using the same pan with all those delicious shrimp drippings, add the diced onion and reduce heat to medium. Sauté for 3-4 minutes until they become translucent and slightly golden at the edges. If the pan seems dry, add just a small drizzle of olive oil. Next, add the minced garlic and stir constantly for 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned as garlic can quickly become bitter when overcooked.
Create The Creamy Sauce:
Pour in the white wine to deglaze the pan, using a wooden spoon to scrape up all the flavorful bits from the bottom of the skillet. Add the sun-dried tomatoes and cook for one minute to infuse their flavor into the liquid. Pour in the half and half, season with salt and pepper, then sprinkle in the parmesan cheese. Stir continuously while bringing the mixture to a gentle simmer. Allow the sauce to thicken slightly for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent scorching.
Finish The Dish:
Remove the pan from heat completely. Immediately add the baby spinach and the reserved shrimp with any accumulated juices. Gently fold everything together until the spinach wilts from the residual heat and the shrimp are fully coated in the sauce. The shrimp will finish cooking in the hot sauce without becoming rubbery.
Shrimp in a bowl. Pin it
Shrimp in a bowl. | recipesim.com

My absolute favorite component of this dish is the sun-dried tomatoes. I discovered their magic in this recipe when I was out of fresh tomatoes one night. Their intense sweet-tart flavor concentrates during the sauce-making process, creating little bursts of flavor that elevate this dish from simple to spectacular. My husband claims it was this exact recipe that sealed the deal in our relationship.

Make-Ahead Options

This marry me shrimp reheats beautifully, making it perfect for meal prep. Prepare the entire dish up to two days ahead and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator. When reheating, add a splash of water or broth to restore the sauce's creamy consistency. Heat gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat until just warmed through. Be careful not to overcook the shrimp during reheating, as they can become tough. For best results, you can also prepare just the sauce ahead of time and cook fresh shrimp right before serving.

Perfect Pairings

This luxurious shrimp dish deserves thoughtful accompaniments. For starches, serve over al dente orzo pasta, fluffy white rice, or creamy mashed potatoes to soak up the incredible sauce. For a lighter meal, try it over zucchini noodles or alongside roasted asparagus. A crisp white wine like Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc makes an excellent beverage pairing, echoing the wine used in cooking. For a complete dinner experience, start with a light green salad dressed with lemon vinaigrette to prepare the palate for the rich main course.

Common Substitutions

This recipe offers plenty of flexibility based on what you have on hand. If you prefer not to use wine, substitute with chicken broth plus a squeeze of lemon juice. For a dairy-free version, use full-fat coconut milk instead of half and half for a tropical twist. The parmesan can be replaced with nutritional yeast for a vegan-friendly option. Frozen shrimp work perfectly well just ensure they're fully thawed and patted dry before cooking. If sun-dried tomatoes aren't available, roasted red peppers make a delicious alternative with a similar sweet intensity.

A bowl of shrimp and sauce. Pin it
A bowl of shrimp and sauce. | recipesim.com

Frequently Asked Questions

→ What type of shrimp should I use?

Use peeled, deveined shrimp for ease of preparation. Both fresh or frozen shrimp work well, but ensure they are fully thawed before cooking.

→ Can I substitute the white wine?

Yes, you can replace white wine with chicken broth for a non-alcoholic option. It will still add depth to the sauce.

→ How can I thicken the sauce?

Allow the sauce to simmer gently to thicken naturally, or add a small slurry of cornstarch and water if needed.

→ What sides pair well with this dish?

This shrimp dish pairs wonderfully with rice, small pasta, mashed potatoes, or steamed vegetables.

→ Can I make this dish dairy-free?

Yes, substitute the half-and-half and parmesan cheese with coconut cream and nutritional yeast for a dairy-free version.

Easy Marry Me Shrimp

Shrimp in creamy sun-dried tomato sauce with spinach, ready in 20 minutes.

Prep Time
5 Minutes
Cook Time
15 Minutes
Total Time
20 Minutes

Category: Main Dishes

Difficulty: Easy

Cuisine: Italian-American

Yield: 4 Servings

Dietary: Gluten-Free

Ingredients

→ Shrimp

01 1½ lbs shrimp, peeled, deveined and rinsed
02 1/2 tsp salt
03 1/2 tsp paprika
04 1/2 tsp Italian herb blend

→ Cooking Oil and Butter

05 1 tbsp butter
06 1 tbsp olive oil

→ Vegetables and Aromatics

07 1 small onion, diced
08 5 cloves garlic, minced
09 5 oz sun-dried tomatoes, drained and sliced
10 1 large handful baby spinach

→ Sauce

11 1/2 cup white wine
12 1⅓ cups half and half
13 Salt, to taste
14 Pepper, to taste
15 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese

Instructions

Step 01

Pat dry the shrimp with paper towels. Season them thoroughly with salt, paprika, and Italian herb blend.

Step 02

In a large skillet over medium-high heat, melt the butter and olive oil. When hot, add the seasoned shrimp and cook for 1-2 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate and set aside.

Step 03

Using the same skillet on medium heat, sauté the onion for 3-4 minutes. Add a drizzle of oil if needed. Stir in the garlic and cook for 30 seconds.

Step 04

Pour in the white wine and add the sun-dried tomatoes. Sauté for 1 minute. Stir in the half and half, salt, pepper, and parmesan cheese. Let the mixture simmer and stir occasionally to thicken the sauce.

Step 05

Remove the skillet from heat. Add the baby spinach and cooked shrimp to the sauce and stir until the spinach is wilted and the shrimp are coated.

Notes

  1. Half and half is a mixture of half milk and half heavy cream. You can substitute all heavy cream if desired.
  2. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge.
  3. Serve with rice, small pasta like orzo, mashed potatoes, or steamed vegetables.

Tools You'll Need

  • Large skillet
  • Cutting board

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Shellfish
  • Dairy

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 473
  • Total Fat: 25 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 17 g
  • Protein: 43 g