Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- 1. Spaghetti kochen: Cook the spaghetti in a large pot of well-salted boiling water according to package directions until al dente. Before draining, reserve about 150-200 ml of the pasta water. Drain the spaghetti and set aside.
- 2. Garnelen anbraten: While the pasta is cooking or just after, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion and minced garlic and sauté until translucent, about a few minutes. Be careful not to brown the garlic. Add the shrimp to the pan. Sear for about 3-4 minutes, or until they turn pink and are no longer translucent. Do not overcook! Season the shrimp now with salt, pepper, and paprika powder.
- 3. Sauce zubereiten: Add the cream cheese and cream directly to the skillet with the shrimp. Stir everything well with a whisk or spoon until the cream cheese is completely melted and a wonderfully creamy sauce has formed. Let the sauce simmer gently for a few minutes to combine the flavors. Season with a small splash of lemon juice (this enhances the flavors!), and add more salt or pepper if needed.
- 4. Spaghetti vermengen: Add the cooked spaghetti directly from the colander (or back into the empty pasta pot) to the creamy sauce with the shrimp. Use two forks or tongs to gently combine everything so that every strand of spaghetti is coated in the delicious sauce. Now add the reserved pasta water, spoon by spoon, if the sauce is too thick or doesn't cling well to the pasta, stirring until you reach the perfect creamy consistency. The starch in the pasta water helps bind the sauce.
- 5. Anrichten: Serve the creamy spaghetti with shrimp immediately on deep plates. Generously sprinkle each plate with freshly chopped parsley and grate some Parmesan over it, if desired. Enjoy!
Notes
Tips for success: Don't overcook the shrimp – they only need a few minutes per side. Always save some pasta water; it's key for the perfect sauce consistency. Melt the cream cheese gently over medium heat. Don't forget to taste and adjust seasoning, especially the lemon juice at the end, as it makes a big difference.
Variations: For a vegetarian version, swap shrimp for sautéed mushrooms, zucchini, cherry tomatoes, or crispy smoked tofu. Other proteins like chicken strips also work well. Add more vegetables like fresh baby spinach (wilts in the sauce), peas, or broccoli florets (cooked briefly in the pasta water). Try different herbs like fresh basil or chives instead of parsley. Add a pinch of chili flakes for a spicy kick. A splash of white wine reduced before adding the cream cheese can add depth.
Storage: Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 1-2 days. When reheating (in the microwave or a pan), the sauce might lose some creaminess or separate slightly. Add a splash of milk, cream, or leftover pasta water and stir gently while warming. The shrimp may become tougher upon reheating, but the dish will still be tasty.
Variations: For a vegetarian version, swap shrimp for sautéed mushrooms, zucchini, cherry tomatoes, or crispy smoked tofu. Other proteins like chicken strips also work well. Add more vegetables like fresh baby spinach (wilts in the sauce), peas, or broccoli florets (cooked briefly in the pasta water). Try different herbs like fresh basil or chives instead of parsley. Add a pinch of chili flakes for a spicy kick. A splash of white wine reduced before adding the cream cheese can add depth.
Storage: Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 1-2 days. When reheating (in the microwave or a pan), the sauce might lose some creaminess or separate slightly. Add a splash of milk, cream, or leftover pasta water and stir gently while warming. The shrimp may become tougher upon reheating, but the dish will still be tasty.