Shrimp Pasta with White Wine: Recipe, Tips & Perfect Wine Pairing Guide

Introduction

Few dishes bring together the elegance of Italian-inspired cuisine and the relaxed comfort of home cooking like Shrimp Pasta with White Wine. This recipe is a celebration of fresh seafood, creamy sauce, and pasta, all brought together with the irresistible aroma of dry white wine. It’s the kind of meal that instantly elevates any weeknight—and, with the right wine pairing, can turn a simple dinner into a memorable occasion.

Whether you’re a food enthusiast, seasoned home cook, or a wine lover searching for a new favorite, this dish offers both incredible flavor and the perfect match for your favorite bottle. In this post, you’ll not only get a step-by-step recipe but also expert wine recommendations, serving suggestions, and insider cooking tips to help you master Shrimp Pasta with White Wine at home. Ready to discover the art of wine pairing and create a restaurant-quality meal in your own kitchen? Let’s dive in.

About This Dish

Shrimp Pasta with White Wine is a dish that bridges classic Italian roots and American culinary creativity. Inspired by the iconic flavors of coastal Italy—where seafood, citrus, and white wine reign supreme—this dish has found a home in kitchens across the United States. It’s beloved for its quick prep, fresh taste, and versatility, easily adapting to busy weeknights or festive gatherings.

What makes this recipe special is its balance of flavors: the natural sweetness of shrimp, the umami and saltiness of Parmesan, the tang of lemon, and the luscious, aromatic body of a white wine sauce. These elements come together in a creamy, yet light, sauce that clings to every strand of pasta. In America’s multicultural food scene, Shrimp Pasta with White Wine is embraced for its accessibility—most ingredients are found at local grocery stores, and the dish can be dressed up or down depending on the occasion.

For wine lovers, it’s a dream come true. The dish’s fresh, savory profile naturally invites exploration of both Old and New World whites, making it a prime candidate for wine pairing experimentation. Whether you’re shopping at Total Wine, Trader Joe’s, or your favorite local merchant, there’s a bottle to suit every palate and budget. This is a meal that brings people together—delicious, approachable, and endlessly customizable.

Key Ingredients & Their Role

A perfect Shrimp Pasta with White Wine depends on a handful of well-chosen ingredients, each playing a crucial role in the final flavor and texture:

• Shrimp (Fresh Prawns): The star of the dish. Shrimp delivers a delicate, slightly sweet seafood flavor and a tender, juicy texture. When cooked just right, they provide the ideal contrast to creamy sauce and al dente pasta.
• Dry White Wine: Acts as both a flavor booster and a deglazing agent. Dry whites like Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc add acidity, brightness, and subtle fruit notes, cutting through the richness of cream and cheese. The reduction of wine in the sauce also helps intensify its aroma and complexity.
• Pasta (Tagliatelle or Spaghetti): Pasta serves as the canvas, absorbing the creamy, wine-scented sauce. Tagliatelle’s wide ribbons are perfect for holding onto the sauce, but spaghetti or linguine work beautifully as well.
• Heavy Cream: Provides body and a luxurious mouthfeel, balancing the acidity from wine and lemon while creating a smooth, cohesive sauce.
• Parmesan Cheese: Adds umami, saltiness, and a nutty depth to the dish. Its melting quality helps emulsify the sauce, ensuring it clings to every bite.
• Garlic & Lemon: Garlic infuses the base with aromatic warmth, while lemon juice and zest brighten the flavors, echoing the citrus notes often found in white wine.
• Olive Oil & Butter: These fats act as flavor carriers and create a silky texture. Olive oil brings fruitiness, while butter offers a rich backbone.
• Fresh Parsley: Used as a garnish, parsley adds a hint of earthiness and a burst of color, making the dish as visually appealing as it is delicious.

Each ingredient is chosen not just for its flavor, but also for how it interacts with the wine. For optimal wine pairing, you want a bottle that complements the dish’s creamy, savory, and citrusy qualities without overpowering the shrimp’s delicate sweetness. That’s why dry, crisp whites are the go-to recommendation—they echo and enhance the dish’s core flavors, creating a seamless dining experience.

Recipe

Ingredients:

• 350 g Tagliatelle pasta (or spaghetti)
• 250 g Fresh prawns (peeled)
• 120 ml Dry white wine
• 150 ml Heavy cream
• 50 g Parmesan cheese (finely grated)
• 2 Garlic cloves (finely chopped)
• 2 tbsp Olive oil
• 1 tbsp Unsalted butter
• 2 tbsp Lemon juice
• 1 tsp Lemon zest (finely grated)
• to taste Salt
• to taste Freshly ground black pepper
• 2 tbsp Fresh parsley (chopped, for garnish)

Instructions:

1. Begin by preparing the mise-en-place: peel and finely chop the garlic cloves, zest and juice the lemon, and finely grate the Parmesan cheese.
2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the tagliatelle pasta and cook it until al dente according to the package instructions. Reserve 1/4 cup of pasta water and drain the rest.
3. As the pasta cooks, heat 2 tbsp of olive oil and 1 tbsp of unsalted butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Once melted, add the chopped garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
4. Pour in the white wine and bring it to a simmer. Allow it to reduce by half, about 3-4 minutes.
5. Stir in the heavy cream and let it simmer gently for 2-3 minutes. Add the lemon juice and zest, then season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
6. Add the fresh prawns to the skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes, or until they turn pink and are just cooked through.
7. Reduce the heat to low and toss the cooked pasta into the skillet along with the reserved pasta water. Mix well to coat the pasta in the creamy sauce.
8. Sprinkle in the grated Parmesan cheese and continue mixing until the cheese has melted and the sauce clings to the pasta.
9. Plate the pasta elegantly, ensuring an even distribution of prawns and sauce. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley and an extra sprinkle of Parmesan cheese if desired.
10. Serve immediately for the best flavor and texture.

Nutrition Facts (per serving):

• Calories: 480 kcal
• Protein: 27.0g
• Fat: 24.0g
• Carbohydrates: 52.0g
• Salt: 1.8g

Dietary Information: Contains gluten, Contains dairy, Nut-free

Perfect Wine Pairings

No Shrimp Pasta with White Wine is complete without the right glass to accompany it. The question of what wine goes with Shrimp Pasta with White Wine is one of the most popular among food and wine lovers—and for good reason. The dish’s delicate seafood, creamy sauce, and citrus notes call for a wine that’s crisp, refreshing, and not too oaky or heavy.

What Makes a Great Wine Pairing?

• High Acidity: Cuts through the cream and butter, refreshing the palate between bites.
• Medium Body: Enough weight to stand up to the sauce, but not so bold that it overpowers the shrimp.
• Low Tannins: Tannic reds can clash with seafood, so stick to whites or very light reds.
• Citrus or Mineral Notes: Echoes the lemon and fresh qualities of the dish.

Wine Recommendations

Here are four wine recommendations that consistently make the perfect match for Shrimp Pasta with White Wine:

• California Sauvignon Blanc
• Why it works: Zesty, with grapefruit and citrus undertones, high acidity, and a crisp finish—ideal for both the cream and seafood elements.
• Where to find: Widely available at Total Wine, BevMo, and local grocery stores. Look for bottles from Napa or Sonoma ($15-25).
• Oregon Pinot Gris
• Why it works: Offers bright acidity with notes of pear, green apple, and a subtle mineral streak. Balances the richness of the sauce without overwhelming the palate.
• Where to find: Trader Joe’s and many local wine shops carry Oregon Pinot Gris in the $15-20 range.
• Italian Pinot Grigio
• Why it works: Lighter-bodied, citrusy, and clean—Pinot Grigio is a classic pairing for seafood pasta. Its refreshing profile highlights the lemon and parsley in the dish.
• Where to find: Total Wine and most supermarkets offer a variety of options, often under $20.
• French Sancerre (Sauvignon Blanc from Loire Valley)
• Why it works: This Old World favorite brings flinty minerality, high acidity, and a subtle herbal edge. Its elegance is a natural fit for creamy shrimp pasta.
• Where to find: Sancerre is available at fine wine shops and BevMo, generally $25-30.

Other excellent choices include Spanish Albariño (for a floral, saline touch) or a dry white Bordeaux. Avoid heavily oaked Chardonnays, as their buttery richness can compete with the sauce.

Don’t forget: Vinomat is a fantastic tool for exploring these options and discovering even more perfect matches based on your preferences and local availability. Whether you’re shopping at Trader Joe’s, Total Wine, BevMo, or your neighborhood shop, you’re sure to find a bottle that elevates your Shrimp Pasta with White Wine experience.

Cooking Tips & Techniques

To ensure your Shrimp Pasta with White Wine comes out restaurant-quality every time, keep these cooking tips in mind:

• Prep Ahead: Have all your ingredients chopped, measured, and ready before you start cooking. This dish comes together quickly, and mise-en-place is your best friend.
• Don’t Overcook the Shrimp: Shrimp cook fast—just 2-3 minutes, until they’re pink and opaque. Overcooked shrimp become rubbery, so watch them closely.
• Deglaze with Wine: After sautéing the garlic, add the white wine and let it reduce by half. This concentrates the flavors and ensures the alcohol cooks off, leaving only the wine’s complexity behind.
• Reserve Pasta Water: The starchy water helps bind the sauce and gives it a silky, restaurant-style finish. Add it little by little until you reach your desired consistency.
• Season Thoughtfully: Taste as you go! The Parmesan adds saltiness, so adjust the salt and pepper at the end.
• Use Fresh Parmesan: Pre-grated cheese won’t melt as smoothly—grate it yourself for the best texture and flavor.
• Lemon Zest Last: For the freshest citrus aroma, zest the lemon just before adding to the sauce.

Common mistakes to avoid include overcooking the pasta (al dente is best), overcrowding the pan with shrimp, and skipping the resting period for the sauce to meld before serving.

Serving Suggestions

Set the stage for a memorable meal by serving your Shrimp Pasta with White Wine with thoughtful accompaniments:

• Presentation: Plate the pasta in shallow bowls, twirling the noodles for height. Scatter shrimp evenly and top with a sprinkle of parsley and extra Parmesan.
• Side Dishes: A crisp green salad (like Caesar or arugula with lemon vinaigrette) and warm, crusty bread are classic sides. For a lighter touch, add a few roasted seasonal vegetables.
• Wine Service: Chill your white wine to 45-50°F. Pour it just before serving, letting the aromas bloom in the glass. Offer a second wine option for guests who like to compare pairings.
• Atmosphere: Dim the lights, play some relaxed music, and enjoy your meal al fresco if the weather allows. The aromas of garlic, wine, and fresh herbs set a welcoming tone.

For special occasions, serve the pasta family-style in a large, beautiful dish at the center of the table—encouraging everyone to help themselves and share in the experience.

Conclusion

Shrimp Pasta with White Wine is more than just a recipe—it’s an invitation to explore the delicious world of food and wine pairing. With easy-to-find ingredients, clear instructions, and expert wine recommendations, you have everything you need to create a restaurant-worthy meal at home.

Whether you’re shopping for wine at Total Wine, Trader Joe’s, BevMo, or your local favorite, use Vinomat to discover new bottles and find your perfect match. Gather your loved ones, uncork a great wine, and savor every bite of this classic pasta—cheers to unforgettable meals and the joy of pairing food and wine!