Introduction

Creamy Garlic Shrimp Over Mashed Potatoes is a comforting and elegant dish perfect for a cozy dinner. Succulent shrimp are cooked in a rich garlic cream sauce and served atop smooth, buttery mashed potatoes. This recipe is simple enough for weeknights yet impressive enough for guests.

A white bowl holds a creamy pale yellow bed of grits with a soft, slightly textured surface, appearing rich and smooth. On top, there are several large, golden-orange shrimp, cooked with a slight char and speckled with black pepper and herbs, creating a crispy texture. The shrimp are scattered with finely chopped green parsley and small bits of reddish seasoning, adding color contrast. The dish is surrounded by a thin layer of light brown buttery sauce that pools gently in the bowl. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
6 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup heavy cream
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 tablespoon lemon juice
Salt and black pepper to taste
2 pounds potatoes, peeled and cubed
1/4 cup milk
2 tablespoons unsalted butter (for mashed potatoes)
Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the mashed potatoes by placing the cubed potatoes in a large pot. Cover with cold water and add a pinch of salt. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat and cook until potatoes are fork-tender, about 15–20 minutes.
Step 2: Drain the potatoes and return them to the pot. Add the milk and 2 tablespoons of butter, then mash until smooth and creamy. Season with salt and black pepper, and keep warm.
Step 3: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the shrimp and cook for 2–3 minutes on each side, until pink and opaque. Remove the shrimp from the skillet and set aside.
Step 4: Reduce the heat to medium and add 2 tablespoons of butter to the skillet. Add minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant.
Step 5: Pour in the heavy cream, stirring to combine with the garlic. Let the sauce simmer for 2–3 minutes until it thickens slightly.
Step 6: Stir in the Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth. Add lemon juice and season with salt and black pepper to taste.
Step 7: Return the shrimp to the skillet, coating them in the creamy garlic sauce. Cook for an additional 2 minutes to warm the shrimp through.
Step 8: To serve, place a generous scoop of mashed potatoes on each plate and top with the creamy garlic shrimp mixture. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley.

Tips & Variations

Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the garlic sauce for a spicy kick.
Swap mashed potatoes for rice or pasta to change up the base.
Use fresh lemon juice for the brightest flavor.
To save time, buy pre-peeled and deveined shrimp from your grocery store.
Pair this dish with a crisp white wine or sparkling water with lemon slices for a refreshing complement.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat gently in a skillet over low heat or in the microwave until warmed through. The shrimp is best eaten fresh, as it can become rubbery if overcooked during reheating.

How to Serve

The image shows a white bowl filled with two main layers: the bottom layer is creamy mashed potatoes with a smooth, slightly lumpy texture, and the top layer features six grilled shrimp with a golden orange color, blackened seasoning, and char marks. The shrimp are arranged in a clustered pile in the center, some with curled tails visible. Small green parsley leaves and bits of red seasoning are sprinkled over both the shrimp and mashed potatoes, adding vibrant color contrast. A light sauce surrounds the mashed potatoes, pooling at the edges of the bowl. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use frozen shrimp for this recipe?

Yes, frozen shrimp can be used; just be sure to thaw them completely and pat dry before cooking to avoid excess moisture in the skillet.

How can I make this dish ahead of time?

You can prepare the mashed potatoes and sauce separately, then cook the shrimp fresh before serving. Reheat the sauce gently on the stove and combine with the shrimp to maintain the best texture.

Creamy Garlic Shrimp Over Mashed Potatoes Recipe

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★★★★★

4.5 from 87 reviews

This Creamy Garlic Shrimp Over Mashed Potatoes recipe combines tender, juicy shrimp in a luscious garlic-infused cream sauce, served atop smooth, buttery mashed potatoes for a comforting and elegant meal perfect for any night of the week.

Author: Maya
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Category: Dinner
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

Shrimp and Sauce

1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
6 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup heavy cream
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 tablespoon lemon juice
Salt and black pepper to taste

Mashed Potatoes

2 pounds potatoes, peeled and cubed
1/4 cup milk
2 tablespoons unsalted butter

Garnish

Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish

Instructions

Prepare the Mashed Potatoes: Place the cubed potatoes in a large pot and cover with cold water. Add a pinch of salt and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Cook until the potatoes are fork-tender, about 15-20 minutes.
Mash the Potatoes: Drain the potatoes and return them to the pot. Add the milk and 2 tablespoons of butter. Mash the potatoes until smooth and creamy. Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Keep warm while preparing the shrimp.
Cook the Shrimp: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the shrimp and cook for 2-3 minutes on each side until they turn pink and opaque. Remove the shrimp from the skillet and set aside.
Sauté the Garlic: Reduce the skillet heat to medium and add 2 tablespoons of butter. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant, taking care not to burn the garlic.
Make the Cream Sauce: Pour in the heavy cream, stirring well to combine with the garlic. Let the sauce simmer for 2-3 minutes to thicken slightly.
Add Cheese and Lemon: Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth. Add the lemon juice and season the sauce with salt and black pepper to taste.
Combine Shrimp and Sauce: Return the cooked shrimp to the skillet, stirring to coat the shrimp evenly in the creamy garlic sauce. Cook for an additional 2 minutes to heat the shrimp through.
Serve: Spoon a generous portion of mashed potatoes onto plates, top with the creamy garlic shrimp mixture, and garnish with freshly chopped parsley before serving.

Notes

For an extra kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the garlic sauce.
Swap mashed potatoes with rice or pasta for a variation.
Use fresh lemon juice for the best flavor.
To save time, buy pre-peeled and deveined shrimp from your grocery store.
This dish pairs beautifully with a crisp white wine or sparkling water with lemon slices.
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.

Keywords: shrimp, creamy sauce, mashed potatoes, garlic, dinner recipe, easy recipe