Ingredients
1 lb linguine
1 tbsp olive oil
1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 cup dry white wine (like Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc)
1/2 tsp saffron threads, crumbled and steeped in 2 tbsp hot water for 10 minutes
1 1/2 cups heavy cream
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped, plus more for garnish
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
Step 1: Cook the linguine according to package directions in a large pot of salted water until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining. Set aside.
Step 2: While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the shrimp and cook for 1-2 minutes per side, until pink and just cooked through. Remove shrimp from the skillet and set aside.
Step 3: Reduce heat to medium. Add minced garlic to the skillet and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn it. If using, add a pinch of red pepper flakes.
Step 4: Pour in the white wine, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon. Let it simmer for 2-3 minutes, allowing the alcohol to cook off and the liquid to reduce slightly.
Step 5: Stir in the steeped saffron (including the water) and heavy cream. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer and cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens slightly. The sauce should coat the back of a spoon. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Step 6: Add the cooked linguine to the skillet with the sauce. Toss to coat evenly. Stir in the Parmesan cheese and chopped fresh parsley. If the sauce seems too thick, add a splash or two of the reserved pasta water until it reaches your desired consistency.
Step 7: Return the cooked shrimp to the skillet and toss gently to combine and warm through. Serve immediately, garnished with extra Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley. Enjoy your luxurious Shrimp Linguine with Creamy Saffron Sauce!
Notes
For an extra layer of flavor, consider adding a squeeze of fresh lemon juice at the very end before serving. This brightens up the rich creamy sauce beautifully. If you don’t have white wine, you can substitute it with chicken broth or vegetable broth, though the wine adds a nice depth of flavor. This Shrimp Linguine with Creamy Saffron Sauce is best enjoyed fresh, but leftovers can be stored in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner Dishes
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
- Calories: 680 kcal
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 650mg
- Fat: 35g
- Saturated Fat: 20g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 65g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 40g
- Cholesterol: 250mg
Keywords: shrimp pasta, saffron sauce, creamy pasta, linguine recipe, seafood pasta, gourmet dinner, easy dinner, italian pasta, saffron shrimp linguine, creamy saffron shrimp

