Craving a restaurant-quality shrimp pasta dish without the fuss? This creamy slow cooker garlic shrimp pasta is a rich, flavorful, and incredibly easy seafood dinner perfect for busy weeknights or special occasions. Let your slow cooker do the heavy lifting while you enjoy tender shrimp, silky garlic cream sauce, and perfectly cooked pasta—all in one comforting dish.
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe:
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Set it and forget it – minimal hands-on time
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Ultra creamy, garlic-infused sauce
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Perfectly tender shrimp every time
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Elegant enough for dinner guests, easy enough for weeknights
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High-protein and satisfying
Ingredients Breakdown:
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Large Shrimp (1 lb, peeled & deveined): The star of the dish—sweet, tender, and quick-cooking.
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Garlic (3 cloves, minced): Adds bold, aromatic flavor that pairs beautifully with the shrimp.
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Olive Oil (2 tbsp): Used to sauté the garlic and deepen the flavor of the sauce.
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Chicken Broth (1 cup): Provides a savory base and helps build the creamy sauce.
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Heavy Cream (½ cup): Adds richness and a velvety texture to the sauce.
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Red Pepper Flakes (¼ tsp): A subtle kick of heat to balance the creaminess.
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Salt & Pepper: Essential seasonings to round out the flavors.
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Fettuccine or Linguine Pasta (8 oz): Long, wide noodles that soak up the garlic cream sauce beautifully.
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Parmesan Cheese (¼ cup, grated): Adds a salty, umami kick and helps thicken the sauce.
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Fresh Parsley (2 tbsp, chopped): A bright, fresh finishing touch for flavor and color.
Tips and Tricks:
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Use raw, not pre-cooked shrimp for best texture
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Add a squeeze of lemon for a fresh finish
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For extra richness, stir in 1–2 tablespoons of cream cheese at the end
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Want more veggies? Stir in spinach or peas in the last 10 minutes
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Avoid high heat settings on the slow cooker—shrimp can become rubbery
Variations and Customizations:
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Low-Carb Option: Serve over zucchini noodles or steamed cauliflower
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Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free pasta or rice noodles
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Spicy Version: Add extra chili flakes or a splash of hot sauce
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Cheesy Twist: Mix in mozzarella or provolone before serving for extra meltiness
Pairing Suggestions:
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Serve with:
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Garlic bread or a toasted baguette
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Caesar salad or mixed greens
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A crisp white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio
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Storage Instructions:
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Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days
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Reheat Gently: Warm on the stovetop with a splash of cream or broth to loosen the sauce
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Not recommended for freezing: The cream and shrimp may not thaw well
Popular Questions:
Can I use frozen shrimp?
Yes! Just thaw completely and pat dry before adding to the slow cooker.
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Will the pasta get mushy if cooked in the slow cooker?
It’s best to cook the pasta separately and add it just before serving to avoid overcooking.
Can I make this dairy-free?
You can use coconut cream instead of heavy cream, but the flavor will be slightly different.
Print
Creamy Slow Cooker Garlic Shrimp Pasta
- Total Time: Approx. 3 hours
- Yield: 4 servings
Description
This Slow Cooker Garlic Shrimp Pasta is a creamy, comforting seafood dish that’s full of bold flavor and surprisingly easy to make. Tender shrimp are slowly simmered in a garlic-infused cream sauce with a touch of heat, then tossed with perfectly cooked pasta and finished with Parmesan and parsley. It’s the perfect low-effort, high-reward dinner for busy nights or lazy weekends.
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Ingredients
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1 pound large shrimp
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3 cloves garlic
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2 tablespoons olive oil
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1 cup chicken broth
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½ cup heavy cream
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¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
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Salt and pepper
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8 ounces fettuccine or linguine pasta
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¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
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2 tablespoons fresh parsley
Instructions
1. Sauté the Garlic
In a small skillet over medium heat, heat olive oil. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1–2 minutes until fragrant (do not brown).
2. Build the Sauce in the Slow Cooker
Transfer sautéed garlic into your slow cooker. Add:
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Chicken broth
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Heavy cream
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Red pepper flakes
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Salt and pepper
Stir to combine.
3. Add the Shrimp
Place the peeled and deveined shrimp directly into the slow cooker. Mix well to coat them evenly in the creamy garlic sauce.
4. Slow Cook to Perfection
Cover and cook on LOW for 2–3 hours, or until shrimp are tender and fully cooked. Avoid overcooking.
5. Cook the Pasta
About 30 minutes before the shrimp are done, cook pasta according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
6. Combine Pasta and Sauce
Once shrimp are done, stir in the cooked pasta. Toss gently until fully coated in the garlic cream sauce.
7. Finish and Serve
Sprinkle with grated Parmesan and chopped parsley. Give it a final stir and serve hot.
Notes
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Use high-quality Parmesan for the best flavor
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Adjust spice level to your preference
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Cooking times may vary slightly depending on your slow cooker model
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 2–3 hours (low)
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: American
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