Description
This luxurious comfort food masterpiece combines succulent, perfectly seasoned shrimp in a rich garlic cream sauce served over cloud-like mashed potatoes. The dish offers an irresistible blend of textures -tender shrimp, silky sauce, and fluffy potatoes – while the aromatic garlic and herbs create layers of flavor that transform a simple weeknight dinner into a restaurant-quality experience. It’s elegant enough for special occasions yet simple enough for busy families craving indulgent comfort food.
Ingredients
For the Mashed Potatoes:
- 2 pounds Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1/2 cup whole milk, warmed
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
For the Creamy Garlic Shrimp:
- 1 1/2 pounds large shrimp (21–25 count), peeled and deveined
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup dry white wine (or chicken broth)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
Prepare the Mashed Potatoes:
- Place cubed potatoes in a large pot and cover with cold, salted water by 1 inch.
- Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to medium-high and cook for 15-18 minutes until fork-tender.
- Drain potatoes thoroughly and return to the hot pot for 1 minute to evaporate excess moisture.
- Add butter and mash until completely incorporated.
- Gradually add warm milk, mashing to desired consistency.
- Fold in sour cream, salt, and pepper. Cover and keep warm.
Cook the Shrimp:
- Pat shrimp completely dry with paper towels and season with salt, pepper, and paprika.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering.
- Add shrimp in a single layer (cook in batches if necessary) and cook for 2-3 minutes per side until pink and opaque.
- Remove shrimp to a plate and set aside.
Make the Garlic Cream Sauce:
- In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium and add 2 tablespoons butter.
- Add minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
- Deglaze with white wine, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
- Pour in heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer. Cook for 3-4 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Whisk in Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth.
- Add lemon juice, remaining 2 tablespoons butter, and red pepper flakes if using.
- Return cooked shrimp to the pan and toss gently to coat. Heat through for 1 minute.
- Remove from heat and stir in fresh parsley.
To Serve:
- Spoon warm mashed potatoes into shallow bowls, creating a well in the center.
- Arrange shrimp over potatoes and generously spoon the garlic cream sauce over everything.
- Garnish with additional parsley and a light dusting of paprika.
- Serve immediately while hot.
Notes
Ingredient Substitutions:
- Potatoes: Russet potatoes work well but will be slightly less creamy than Yukon Gold
- Shrimp: Medium shrimp (31-40 count) can be substituted; adjust cooking time to 1-2 minutes per side
- Wine: Chicken or vegetable broth makes an excellent alcohol-free substitute
- Heavy Cream: Half-and-half can be used for a lighter version, though sauce will be thinner
- Parmesan: Pecorino Romano or aged white cheddar work as alternatives
Pro Tips:
- Keep mashed potatoes warm in a 200°F oven while preparing shrimp
- Don’t overcook shrimp – they should curl into a “C” shape when perfectly done
- If cream sauce breaks, whisk in cold butter off the heat to re-emulsify
- For extra flavor, add a bay leaf while cooking potatoes
- Make-ahead tip: Mashed potatoes can be prepared up to 2 hours in advance and kept warm
Variations:
- Cajun Style: Add cayenne pepper and smoked paprika to shrimp seasoning
- Mediterranean: Include sun-dried tomatoes and fresh basil
- Lighter Version: Use Greek yogurt in place of half the heavy cream
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing, Boiling
- Cuisine: American Comfort Food
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion (1/4 of recipe)
- Calories: 685
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 1,240mg
- Fat: 38g
- Saturated Fat: 22g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 42g
- Cholesterol: 285mg