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Who doesn't love a good buttery, lemony, garlicky pasta studded with big, fresh, succulent shrimp? This shrimp scampi tortellini has all the good stuff...plus it's on the table in under 30 minutes.
Not only are we having creamy shrimp scampi, which on its own is just incredible, but we are serving it over cheese tortellini which, IMO is the best thing ever.
At least this week it is. I have just fallen head over heels in love with this easy shrimp scampi recipe. So creamy and buttery but also light and fresh...like this scallop scampi or Instant Pot shrimp scampi we're also in love with.
And guys...it all comes together in about 20 minutes. I mean, come on, what is your excuse for not making this right now? It's absolute perfection for a quick and easy weeknight meal.
And did I mention how the creamy goodness makes me feel? When I eat it it's like the world makes sense again.
If you're a pasta lover like me, you'll probably like these dishes as well:
- linguine with clam sauce
- chicken cordon bleu pasta
- Cajun shrimp and sausage pasta
- creamy pumpkin pasta
Why This Recipe Works
Using pre-made tortellini makes this recipe super easy to whip up quickly.
Fresh garlic makes all the difference in the flavor of the cream sauce.
Using a good quality olive oil really makes the flavors in the dish pop.
A touch of coconut sugar adds the perfect amount of sweet to counterbalance the heavy citrus flavors.
Ingredients
The full list of ingredients and amounts is included in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Fresh, plump shrimp are key to this dish tasting incredible. I recommend buying 31-40 or 26-30 shrimp size. Big but not too big.
For the tortellini, you can use any kind you want. I use frozen cheese tortellini because it's easy, but you can also buy fresh and use any kind. Be creative!
You want a dry white wine, meaning one that is not sweet at all. A wine like chardonnay or pinot grigio will work.
The heavy cream is what gives the sauce it's creaminess and the tomato and lemon provide the right amount of acid for the pasta.
Step By Step Instructions
Cook the tortellini according to the package instructions, reserving ¼ cup of the pasta cooking liquid. Be sure to add 2-3 tablespoons of salt to the water when cooking the tortellini.
Heat the olive oil and butter in a large sauté pan over medium heat. Add the tomato, garlic and red pepper flakes. Cook for 2-3 minutes.
Add the white wine and lemon and simmer for 4-5 minutes.
Add the shrimp and cook for 1 minute.
Add the coconut sugar, salt, pepper, and cream and simmer for 3-4 minutes, until thickened slightly. Sauce should stick the the back of a spoon.
Then add the cooked tortellini, stir and heat to boiling. Let simmer for about 1-2 minutes, until sauce thickens.
Remove from heat, garnish with fresh parsley and serve with crusty french bread, this pesto challah or this air fryer garlic bread.
Expert Tips
- Any kind of fresh or frozen tortellini will do. You can even substitute different kinds if you don't want cheese. But really, who doesn't want cheese????
- Sometimes I cheat and used jarred garlic for recipes, but you definitely want to use fresh garlic in this recipe - it makes all the difference!
- And lastly, use the best olive oil you have. The olive oil will really shine here, so the better the olive oil, the better the dish.
- If the sauce is too thick, add additional cream or chicken stock until it reaches desired consistency (salt may need to be adjusted).
- If the sauce is too thin, add 1-2 tablespoons of pasta cooking water and let it simmer for a couple minutes. The starch in the water should help to thicken it.
Storage and Freezing Instructions
You can make the shrimp scampi sauce in advance and store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Follow all instructions except adding the pasta.
When you're ready to make the shrimp scampi, heat the sauce in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the cooked tortellini, simmer for 2-3 minutes then serve.
You can actually make this creamy shrimp scampi a freezer meal. Combine all the ingredients except the cream, lemon and tortellini in a freezer safe bag. Freeze for up to 1 month.
Thaw bag in the fridge overnight then heat a skillet over medium high heat. Add the contents of the bag to a skillet and cook until shrimp is no longer pink. Add the cream and lemon and simmer for 2-3 minutes.
Add the cooked tortellini, heat to a simmer, cook 1-2 minutes then remove from heat and serve.
You can also freeze leftover shrimp scampi. Store in a freezer safe container in the freezer for up to 1 month. Thaw in the fridge overnight and reheat in the microwave or in a skillet on the stove top until heated through.
Frequently Asked Questions
Typically, the starch from the pasta acts as a great thickening agent. However, if you are still struggling with thin sauce, you can make a cornstarch slurry from 1 tbsp. of cornstarch mixed with 1 tablespoon of water in a small bowl. Pour the slurry into the sauce, stirring continuously, a little at a time, until the sauce is as thick as you'd like.
Shrimp scampi goes great with crusty bread, as well as these vegetable sides:
- roasted frozen broccoli
- sous vide green beans
- sauteed broccolini
- Parmesan roasted cauliflower
- oven fried squash
- balsamic brussels
- honey roasted parsnips
If it is fresh tortellini, you only need to cook it for a couple minutes. Dried will need to be boiled (package instructions) and frozen will need to be boiled as well to heat through.
Rate the recipe and leave a comment to let me know how it turned out!
Creamy Shrimp Scampi with Tortellini
Ingredients
- 1 pound shrimp peeled and deveined
- 16 ounces cheese tortellini cooked and drained
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoon butter
- 1 small tomato diced
- 3 garlic cloves minced
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 teaspoon coconut sugar
- ¾ cup dry white wine
- Juice of half lemon
- ¼ cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil and butter in a large saute pan over medium heat. Add the tomato, garlic and red pepper flakes. Cook for 2-3 minutes.
- Add the white wine and lemon and simmer for 4-5 minutes. Add the shrimp and cook for 1 minute.
- Add the coconut sugar, salt, pepper, and cream and simmer for 3-4 minutes, until thickened slightly. Sauce should stick the the back of a spoon.
- Then add the cooked tortellini, stir and heat to boiling. Let simmer for about 2 minutes, until sauce thickens from the starch in the pasta.
- Remove from heat, garnish with parsley and serve with crusty bread.
Expert Tips:
- Any kind of fresh or frozen tortellini will do. You can even substitute different kinds if you don't want cheese. But really, who doesn't want cheese????
- Sometimes I cheat and used jarred garlic for recipes, but you definitely want to use fresh garlic in this recipe - it makes all the difference!
- And lastly, use the best olive oil you have. The olive oil will really shine here, so the better the olive oil, the better the dish.
- If the sauce is too thick, add additional cream or chicken stock until it reaches desired consistency (salt may need to be adjusted).
- If the sauce is too thin, add 1-2 tablespoons of pasta cooking water and let it simmer for a couple minutes. The starch in the water should help to thicken it.
Nutrition
Carrie | Clean Eating Kitchen
This is so perfect for an easy weeknight meal! It looks and sounds so delicious, can't wait to make this one!
Danielle
Thanks carrie!
Elaine Benoit
I love that this tortellini takes around 20 minutes. 20 minutes until this delicious shrimp scampi dish gets from the plate to my tummy! It looks fabulous, Danielle!
Danielle
It's really hard to say no to a 20 minute meal!
Corina Blum
Oh yum! I love creamy lemony sauces and the sauce on this sounds incredible. I think it's a great easy midweek meal as it's so quick to make too.
Danielle
Totally perfect for midweek!
ALeta
Yum I love tortellini, never mind drenched in a delicious creamy sauce and loaded with shrimp? Count me in!
Danielle
Right? Thanks Aleta!
Gloria
I love the combination of shrimp and pasta. This looks delicious. What a great dishh to serve to dinner guests.
Danielle
Thanks Gloria!
Natalie
Oh I'm so glad I stumbled on this recipe. I love tortellini but I never had it paired with shrimps before. I'm saving this recipe to give it a try. It sounds very easy to make and yet so super delicious.
Danielle
It's so easy and yummy - thanks Natalie! Hope you love it.
Swathi
That is delicious and creamy Shrimp Scampi with Tortellini I haven't tried with Torellini though. I will this sounds like great Valentine day Dinner.
Danielle
It would be perfect for V-day!
April
I know - I don't know a single person who wouldn't love a load of buttery pasta with garlicky flavor! Fantastic recipe that I can't wait to cook!
Danielle
Right? LOL thanks April!
Melissa
I love a quick weeknight meal, especially when it's this yummy looking! That cream sauce would be perfect with any seafood pasta too <3
Danielle
It totally would! It's a great easy weeknight meal.
Pavani
That is such a creamy and delicious looking shrimp scampi. Using store bought tortellini is a great idea.
Danielle
Thanks Pavani!
Dannii
What a lovely comforting and quick weeknight meal. Love your photos too!
Danielle
Thanks Dannii!
Jillian
I am a huge fan of this recipe! So creamy! So delicious!
Danielle
Thanks Jillian!
Tawnie Kroll
Love that you used torts, yum!!
Danielle
Thanks Tawnie! I am a sucker for tortellini!
Adrianne
Yes, I love fresh garlic in dishes too. It is so much nicer than minced garlic. This looks fantastic. I am having friends over on Sunday so I will have to give this a go. Cheers
Danielle
Fresh garlic is def better. Sometimes I am lazy and used the minced, but fresh is really the way to go for best flavor.
krissy
My son absolutely loves shrimp. I have to admit im not great at preparing it. This looks easy and delicious! I think Ill give it a try.
Danielle
It's a really easy recipe - I hope you get a chance to try it Krissy!
Tayler Ross
This looks like it would make the perfect meal for Valentine's Day! I can't wait to try it!
Danielle
It totally would! Hope you get the chance to try it Tayler!
Jo Allison / Jo's Kitchen Larder
Perfect midweek dinner recipe. I love the sound of buttery shrimp and I tend to have ready made tortellini in my cupboard for "emergencies" 😉 I can sense one coming! Absolutely delicious!
Danielle
Thanks Jo! I hope you get the chance to give it a try!
Demeter
I'm always up for a quick and easy dinner recipe. Looks so creamy and amazing!
Danielle
Thanks Demeter!
Ellen
I love adding shrimp to pasta but never do so with tortellini. That's going to change!
Danielle
You should totally try it Ellen!
Chantal
This is a great idea! I love using tortelinni in chicken noodle soup instead of noodles but never thought of using it in scampi!
Danielle
Thanks Chantal!