1-First Step: Cook the Pasta Start by boiling a pot of salted water over high heat, then add the 12 oz of uncooked pasta. Cook it until al dente, which usually takes about 8-10 minutes depending on the type I recommend penne for how it holds the sauce. Once done, drain the pasta and set it aside; this keeps it from getting mushy later and ensures your shrimp Florentine pasta has the perfect texture.

2-Second Step: Sauté the Shrimp Heat 1 Tbsp of olive oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Season your 1 lb of raw jumbo shrimp with a bit of kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper. Cook them for 3-5 minutes, flipping once until they turn pink and opaque for the best results with creamy shrimp pasta, don’t overdo it here as shrimp can get tough.

3-Third Step: Make the Sauce In the same pan to save on flavor, add another 1 Tbsp of olive oil or butter and sauté the 4 minced garlic cloves for about 1 minute until fragrant. Sprinkle in 3 Tbsp of all-purpose flour and stir it around to form a roux, cooking for another minute. Now, gradually whisk in 1 cup of chicken stock until smooth, then add 1 cup of warmed milk and simmer for 1 minute while stirring constantly until it thickens. For an easy shrimp Florentine pasta recipe, this step ensures a creamy base that’s hard to beat.

4-Fourth Step: Add Cheese and Seasonings Stir in 3/4 cup of freshly grated Parmesan cheese, 1/2 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp black pepper, and the optional 1/2 cup of half-and-half if you want extra richness. Keep whisking until the cheese melts and the sauce turns silky this is where your shrimp Florentine pasta with garlic spinach sauce really shines, adaptable for low-fat options by using almond milk.

5-Fifth Step: Combine Everything Return the cooked pasta to the pan or a large pot and toss it with the sauce. Mix in the 2 large handfuls of fresh baby spinach, the chopped sun-dried tomatoes from the jar, and 1/4 cup of chopped fresh basil. Stir until the spinach wilts and everything coats evenly; this step-by-step shrimp Florentine pasta instructions make it simple to adjust for dietary needs, like adding more veggies for diet-conscious eaters. Explore more shrimp ideas here if you’re feeling creative.

6-Final Step: Finish and Serve Fold the sautéed shrimp back into the mixture and give it a gentle stir. Serve it up immediately, sprinkling extra grated Parmesan on top for that final touch. The total time is about 40 minutes, and for the best shrimp Florentine pasta with spinach, pair it with a fresh salad it’s a hit for busy parents or food enthusiasts alike. Don’t forget, reheating is easy, but I’ll cover that later!