This Creamy Garlic Prawn Pasta is for all those nights when nothing but a creamy pasta will do! It’s the pasta version of Creamy Garlic Prawns which features a creamy Alfredo sauce infused with garlic flavour tossed through with plump prawns (shrimp). Every pasta lovers’ dream come true!
Creamy Garlic Prawn Pasta
The weekend is here and we deserve a treat!!! Rather than heading out for dinner, I think you should make THIS luscious Creamy Garlic Prawn Pasta at home. 🙂
Yes it’s indulgent, but let me assure you, it’s a whole lot healthier than eating out. Because let’s face it – restaurant food is so good because it’s loaded with butter, oil and salt. I once went in search for a famous Mashed Potato recipe by Guillaume Brahimi, a renowned French Chef here in Australia, after having it at his restaurant. It’s made with 200g / 1 3/4 sticks butter for 600g / 1.2 lb of potato. THAT’S INSANE!!!!! I felt my arteries clogging up just reading the recipe!!!
So. This is rich but not crazy rich, you’ll certainly satisfy your creamy pasta craving but you won’t feel ill afterwards. 🙂 (Unless you have more than your fair share, which I cannot be held responsible for)
You don’t need gallons of cream for a great creamy pasta
This recipe serves 4 and is made with 1 1/4 cup of cream, which is just over 1/4 cups per serving. Which I think is actually a very reasonable amount for a cream pasta.
The sauce is thickened using a combination of freshly grated parmesan cheese and by emulsifying the sauce. If you’ve tried any of my other pasta recipes (like Bolognese, Shredded Beef Ragu, Tomato Prawn Pasta), you’d know that I (along with the entire nation of Italy) religiously do this mandatory step of tossing the pasta in the sauce on the stove with a splash of pasta cooking water. This makes the starch and fat in the sauce work its magic to thicken the sauce and makes it sticky so it clings to the pasta rather than sitting in a pool in the bottom of the skillet.
There’s no exception with creamy pastas. In fact, it’s most effective with creamy pastas because that’s how to thicken the sauce without using more and more cream.
Creamy pastas are so hard to shoot so you can see the creamy sauce coating the pasta. But do you see how there is no / little sauce pooled on the plate? That’s because it’s all on the pasta and prawns!
Best prawns for Creamy Prawn Pasta
I like making Creamy Garlic Prawn Pasta with small to medium prawns. (That’s shrimp, to those of you on the other side of the pond. 🙂 ) I find it easier to eat rather than jumbo sized prawns in pasta form, and you get more littered throughout. And because of this, I usually use (gasp, shock horror!) frozen peeled raw prawns.
I actually peeled fresh prawns when I made this the other day, pictured in the black skillet at the top of the post, and left the tail on. Which, for some reason, felt like I was making a point that the prawns are fresh ones I peeled myself, but in hindsight was completely impractical because it was such a pain to stop eating and pull the tail out of my mouth.
#FirstWorldProblems
Yes, peeling your own fresh prawns is better than using frozen. But because they are small, it is a pain so using frozen is completely acceptable – in my books. 🙂 Also, these days, you can get good quality frozen prawns even from grocery stores! (Look for Australian prawns, they are better quality).
After a non cream-based prawn pasta?
Try this Spicy Chilli Prawn Pasta with a tomato based sauce, or this Lemon Prawn Pasta, or my signature Restaurant-Worthy Prawn Linguine in Dinner (page 173) which features a stock made using the prawn shells.
If you’ve had a long week, I’m betting you are busting to get on that couch and flick on the TV to watch something that doesn’t require too much brain power. To complete that picture, all you need is a cozy bowl of homemade deliciousness and a glass of your favourite wine.
And in this vision I have, the cosy bowl of deliciousness is in the form of this Creamy Garlic Prawn Pasta. Get the water boiling, and you’ll be slurping this down in 20 minutes. (Wait a sec – that’s faster than take out!)
Happy weekend! – Nagi xx
PS One day, try the foil packet prawn and potato version of this recipe. Creamy garlic prawns + cheesy potatoes in a foil pack!
Watch how to make it
Note: The recipe has been updated to serve 4 rather than 3 – because who writes recipes for 3?! 🤭 Ingredients were scaled up accordingly then the only recipe step that changed to accomodate this was to cook the prawn in 2 batches rather than 1 because they won’t all fit in the pan in one go.
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Creamy Garlic Prawn Pasta
Ingredients
- 12 oz / 350g fettuccine , or other long strand pasta of choice
- 50 g / 3 tbsp unsalted butter , separated
- 500 g / 1 lb small or medium peeled prawns / shrimp , raw or 1kg / 2 lb whole unpeeled (Note 1)
- 4 garlic cloves , finely minced with a knife
- 1/2 cup Chardonnay or other dry white wine (Note 2 for sub)
- 1 1/4 cups heavy / thickened cream or regular cream, pouring cream etc, full fat (Note 3)
- 1/2 cup chicken broth (or fish or vegetable broth), preferably low sodium
- 3/4 cup (75 g) finely grated parmesan cheese (freshly grated) (Note 4)
- 2 tbsp finely chopped parsley , optional
- Black pepper
- Parmesan , for serving
Instructions
- Cook pasta – Bring to boil a large pot of water. Add a big pinch of salt and the pasta, then cook per packet MINUS 1 minute – it will finish cooking in the sauce later so we want it slightly under. (Note 5).
- Reserve water – Just before draining, scoop out 1 cup of pasta cooking water and set aside, we need this to thicken the sauce later. Drain pasta.
- Lightly cook prawns in 2 batches – Meanwhile, melt about 1/3 of the butter in a large non stick skillet over medium high heat. Add half the prawns, spread out, and cook for 1 1/2 minutes, then turn and toss using 2 spatulas for another 1 – 1 1/2 minutes until just barely cooked (the prawns will cook more in the sauce). Remove prawns into a bowl. Repeat – add half the remaining butter, cook the remaining prawns then remove.
- Sauté garlic – In the same skillet, add the remaining butter. Once melted, add the garlic and stir for 20 seconds until fragrant (don't let it burn, lower heat it needed).
- Deglaze – Add wine and stir. Simmer rapidly for 2 minutes, scraping the pan to dissolve any bits stuck to it into the liquid, until wine mostly evaporates (see video).
- Sauce – Add cream, broth and parmesan. Stir until the parmesan is melted, then leave to simmer for 1 1/2 minutes until it thickens slightly – it will still be quite watery though which is fine, it will thicken more in next step.
- Toss & thicken sauce – Add prawns, pasta plus about 1/4 cup of reserved pasta water. Toss pasta energetically (still on stove on medium high) and in 1 to 2 minutes, the sauce will thicken and start clinging to the pasta. It will seem like nothing is happening at first but trust the process, it will happen! If you take it too far and the sauce gets too thick, add a small splash of remaining reserved pasta cooking water to loosen and toss again (you can do this repeatedly as needed).
- Finish – Add most of the parsley and a grind of black pepper, taste and check if you need salt (I don't need more), then give it a quick toss.
- Serve immediately, garnished with remaining parsley and parmesan if desired.
Recipe Notes:
Nutrition Information:
Updated January 2026 to serve 4 rather than 3 (which is just an odd number, I am not sure what I was thinking!). Changes made were to cook the prawn in 2 batches rather than 1, and to sear the first side undisturbed, then toss with two spatulas to finish cooking through (turning one by one is a pain!).
More prawn (shrimp) pastas & risottos
And more ways to get your creamy pasta fix!
Fettucine Alfredo – also see One Pot Chicken Alfredo Pasta
Baked Mac and Cheese – and try the Shrimp version!
Browse all pasta recipes
Life of Dozer
He’s just the wrong colour.
Making this tonight with my fresh spinach pasta. I’m feeling confident and will let you know. BUT whose idea was it in the past few years to leave the bloody tails on prawns???? WHY????
Tails = flavour and better presentation Sue – you can take them off it you prefer though! N x
Did it work???? Absolutely!! A new fave!
I subbed chicken stock for wine, tastes amazing! *hic*
Too divine an absolute winner. SECOND HELPINGS ALL ROUND. YUM
This looks lovely! I’m fairly new to cooking and I am wanting to make this for just 2 people, would you advise to half all ingredients and measurements? All help is greatly appreciated!
Hi James, if you click on the servings and use the scale to select 2 servings, all the measurements will scale down for you 🙂 N x
I don’t usually leave comments but this recipe was brilliant!! Cooked for the family and they all loved it, by far one of the best pasta dishes i’ve ever cooked and i’ve made a lot. I used tagliatelle and didn’t add any of the pasta water at the end as i prefer a stronger taste and creamier texture. Definitely going to be making this again, maybe with chicken next time. 10/10 recommend.
Hi, just wondering if chicken broth is available at stores and if i can eliminate broth and just use stock ?
Hi Sanjana, it’s the same thing – yes you can use stock here. N x
Just another fabulous meal, thank you Nagi and Dozer.
If you follow the recipe to the letter it turns out just like the video. Our lives have changed since we found Nagi and Dozer. xxx
This is my favourite pasta dish ever! Straight forward and blinking delicious… make and enjoy!
This has become a favourite, been done 3 times in the past 6 weeks
Hi, this recipe was delicious and easy to make. I’ve made a few of your dishes and they are always amazing. Thanks for sharing
Hi, this recipe looks great and I am planning to make it. I was just wondering whether I can use mozzarella instead of parmesan? Thank you x
This is so good! Now its one of my fav pasta sauce. Next time I’m gonna try with other meat. Thankyou~
Amazing this is the 4th time I’ve cooked if we love it my partner was scared of trying prawns until I cooked this for him 🙂
Wahoo, you’ve converted him now Emma! N x
Amazing!!!!!
Thanks Holly!! N x
This was soooo good! Fast, easy and super flavourful. I omitted the wine and added spinach, turned out great. Thank you Nagi! My boyfriend was on cloud nine, haha 🙂
Wahoo – perfect Lia! N x
Wow, this recipe was so tasty. Full of flavour. My husband went back for 3rds.
That’s great to hear Tracey! N x
Delicious recipe. I’ve not seen my kids clear their plate so quick! I made a few changes: I added 2 shallots and 1/4 cup peas. Used more broth instead of wine and squeezed some lemon just before serving. Will be using this in my meal planning again!
Really easy recipe to do,is really tasty,and the plate looks professional. Thank you!
That’s great Mira, I’m so glad you enjoyed it! N x
Superb!! Omitted the wine, used home made chicken stock instead. Added a large pinch of chilli flake. Result? A very satisfying dish indeed. One which I will cook again.
However, I will use smaller prawns in the future.
In the early 70s I travelled to Genoa ,while there I was recommended to try a pasta dish which turned out to be very much like your own. However, I remember the garlic taste being rather excessive. Your recipe seems to hit the right balance.
Many thanks,
Ron. S.
OMG..The best I have ever had. I hate to cook but this was super easy. At last I have found recipes that really do turn out fantastic…please post more..you are the best!!!!!
That’s the BEST AK!!! I love hearing this!