Description
Garlic shrimp melts over silky mashed potatoes, creating a comforting meal your family craves. Tender seafood and smooth potato goodness combine for a quick dinner that feels like a warm embrace.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
Potatoes and Base:
- 2 lbs potatoes, peeled and cubed
Seasonings and Sauces:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ cup warm milk
- ¼ cup butter
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- Salt and pepper
- Fresh thyme leaves
Instructions
- Prepare the potatoes by boiling 2 lbs of cubed potatoes in salted water at a rolling boil for 15 minutes. Ensure they become fork-tender and soft.
- Drain the potatoes completely and return them to the hot pot. Mash thoroughly with ¼ cup butter and ½ cup warm milk until a creamy, smooth consistency develops.
- Season the mashed potatoes with salt to taste. Keep them warm while preparing the remaining components.
- Pat 1 lb of large shrimp dry with paper towels. Coat them evenly with 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1 teaspoon paprika, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, and a pinch of salt and pepper.
- Heat a large skillet to medium-high temperature. Sear the seasoned shrimp for exactly 2 minutes on the first side until they turn light pink.
- Flip the shrimp and cook an additional 1-2 minutes until they become completely pink and opaque. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
- Reduce skillet heat to medium. Melt 2 tablespoons butter and add 4 minced garlic cloves. Sauté for precisely 60 seconds until fragrant.
- Pour 1 cup heavy cream into the skillet. Whisk in ½ cup grated Parmesan and 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard if desired.
- Simmer the sauce for 3-4 minutes, stirring constantly until it slightly thickens. Season with salt and pepper to your preference.
- Spread the warm mashed potatoes as a base on serving plates. Arrange the seared shrimp on top of the potatoes.
- Drizzle the creamy garlic sauce generously over the shrimp. Sprinkle fresh thyme leaves as a final garnish before serving immediately.
Notes
- Choose starchy potatoes like Russet or Yukon Gold for the creamiest mashed base, which helps soak up the rich garlic sauce.
- Pat shrimp completely dry before seasoning to ensure a perfect golden sear and prevent steaming instead of browning.
- Use fresh garlic if possible, as it provides a more vibrant and intense flavor compared to powdered garlic.
- For a lighter version, substitute half-and-half for heavy cream and use Greek yogurt instead of butter in the mashed potatoes.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Shrimp
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 490 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 540 mg
- Fat: 32 g
- Saturated Fat: 16 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 33 g
- Cholesterol: 180 mg