Creamy Garlic Shrimp Over Mashed Potatoes – A Comfort Food Classic

When you think of the ultimate cozy dinner, two things come to mind: creamy mashed potatoes and buttery garlic shrimp. Put them together, and you get a dish that feels gourmet yet is easy enough to whip up on a weeknight.

This recipe for Creamy Garlic Shrimp Over Mashed Potatoes is indulgent, hearty, and perfectly balanced. The shrimp are cooked in a luscious garlic cream sauce, then layered over fluffy mashed potatoes for a meal that satisfies both seafood lovers and comfort food enthusiasts alike.

Why This Dish Works So Well

• Flavor Harmony: The garlicky cream sauce blends beautifully with the savory shrimp and buttery potatoes.
• Restaurant-Quality at Home: It looks like a fine dining dish but uses simple pantry staples.
• Comfort Food Upgrade: Mashed potatoes are a classic comfort food, and shrimp adds a touch of elegance.
• Quick Dinner: Ready in under 40 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights.

🍂 Ingredients

For the Mashed Potatoes:

• 2 pounds Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and cubed
• ½ cup milk (warm)
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper

For the Creamy Garlic Shrimp:

• 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• ½ cup heavy cream
• ¼ cup chicken broth (or seafood stock)
• ¼ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
• ½ teaspoon paprika
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley (for garnish)

🥣 Instructions

1. Prepare the Potatoes: Place potatoes in a large pot, cover with salted water, and bring to a boil. Cook until tender (15–20 minutes).
2. Mash the Potatoes: Drain well. Mash with butter, warm milk, salt, and pepper until creamy. Cover and set aside.
3. Cook the Shrimp: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Season shrimp with salt, pepper, and paprika. Cook 2–3 minutes per side until pink and opaque. Remove from skillet.
4. Make the Garlic Sauce: In the same skillet, add garlic and cook until fragrant (about 30 seconds). Stir in chicken broth, then heavy cream. Simmer 2–3 minutes.
5. Add Cheese: Whisk in Parmesan until sauce thickens. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
6. Combine Shrimp & Sauce: Return shrimp to skillet, tossing to coat in sauce.
7. Plate the Dish: Spoon mashed potatoes onto plates, then top with creamy garlic shrimp. Garnish with parsley.
8. Serve Immediately: Enjoy hot for maximum flavor and texture.

Creamy Garlic Shrimp Over Mashed Potatoes

Juicy shrimp in a garlic cream sauce served over fluffy mashed potatoes. A comforting, restaurant-quality dinner made at home.

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 25 minutes mins

Total Time 40 minutes mins

Servings: 4 plates

Course: Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine: American, Seafood

Calories: 420

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

Mashed Potatoes

• 2 pounds Yukon Gold potatoes peeled and cubed
• 0.5 cup milk warm
• 4 tbsp unsalted butter
• 0.5 tsp salt
• 0.25 tsp black pepper

Creamy Garlic Shrimp

• 1 pound large shrimp peeled and deveined
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 4 cloves garlic minced
• 0.5 cup heavy cream
• 0.25 cup chicken broth or seafood stock
• 0.25 cup Parmesan cheese grated
• 0.5 tsp paprika
• salt and black pepper to taste
• 1 tbsp fresh parsley chopped, for garnish

Equipment

• Large pot
• Potato masher
• Skillet
• Wooden spoon

Method

 

1. Boil potatoes until tender, about 15–20 minutes.
2. Mash with butter, warm milk, salt, and pepper until smooth.
3. Heat olive oil in a skillet. Season shrimp with salt, pepper, and paprika. Cook until pink, 2–3 minutes per side.
4. Remove shrimp and set aside.
5. In same skillet, cook garlic until fragrant. Stir in broth and cream, simmering 2–3 minutes.
6. Add Parmesan until sauce thickens. Adjust seasoning.
7. Return shrimp to skillet and coat with sauce.
8. Serve shrimp and sauce over mashed potatoes. Garnish with parsley.

Notes

For a lighter option, replace mashed potatoes with mashed cauliflower. Serve immediately for best texture.

Serving Suggestions

• Pair with roasted asparagus or green beans.
• Add a crusty baguette to mop up extra sauce.
• For a lighter twist, swap mashed potatoes for mashed cauliflower.