Creamy Prawn Linguine

This Creamy Prawn Linguine will become a regular addition to your pasta repertoire. You can prepare this meal quickly and easily, making it suitable for busy weeknights but sufficiently elegant to serve when entertaining. The delicately flavoured prawns are bathed in a creamy garlic sauce which is highlighted by the tang of lemon juice and zest. It is so delicious!

Round white plate with a serve of pasta, with a fork on the side.

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Why we love this recipe:
Ingredients in this recipe:
Step by step instructions:
Tips for success and FAQS:
Serving suggestions:
More delicious recipes for you to try:
Creamy Prawn Linguine

Why we love this recipe:

This dish is simple, but elegant and is not limited to one season, it is suitable to serve year-round. Garlic and prawns are a classic flavour combination and we have added cream and lemon to make them even more delicious. Put simply, this Creamy Prawn Linguine is a crowd-pleaser.

Ingredients in this recipe:

Please see the recipe card further along in the post for exact quantities of ingredients and the full method.

Linguine - a long pasta, which may be either dried or fresh. You could also use spaghetti or fettuccine.

Prawns - you can also use shrimp. The names are sometimes used interchangeably but they are not the same creatures. For cooking purposes, you can use either. We use raw, shelled, de-veined prawns, also known as green prawns.

Extra Virgin Olive Oil - from the first pressing of the olives, this is the best quality olive oil with the best flavour and nutritional benefit.

Butter - either salted or unsalted.

Garlic - I use finely chopped fresh garlic.

Lemon zest and juice - adds bright flavour and a gentle tang to balance the creaminess. It also helps to thicken the sauce slightly.

Thickened cream - also known as heavy cream or whipping cream. It has a minimum milk fat content of 35%.

Parsley - fresh parsley adds flavour and colour. For the best flavour, use the flat-leaf, continental variety.

Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper - to taste. My preference is for sea salt flakes and freshly ground black pepper.

Step by step instructions:

Steps 1-4 of preparing this recipe in a photo collage - drying the prawns, cooking the prawns in a pan, the garlic and lemon juice in pan and adding the cream to pan.

Steps 5-6 of preparing this recipe in a photo collage - returning the prawns to the cream sauce with the pasta and the finished dish.

Cook your pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water until just al dente. Before draining, reserve 1 cup of pasta water.

Pat the prepared prawns dry with paper towel.
Meanwhile, in a large frying pan over medium-high heat, add the oil and butter. Once the butter has melted, add the prawns and cook for 1-2 minutes on each side or until they are almost cooked through. Remove from the pan and set aside.
Add the garlic to the pan and cook for 1 minute. Then, add the lemon juice and zest and scrape the bottom of the pan to get all the flavour.
Add in the cream. Cook for 2 minutes.
Return the prawns to the pan and add the pasta. Add a little pasta water and stir well to combine. (About 1-2 minutes)
Season to taste, adding sea salt and freshly ground black pepper. If the sauce is too thick, add a little extra pasta water. Garnish with parsley and serve immediately as the sauce will thicken more as it stands.

Up close shot of cooked pasta in frying pan.

Tips for success and FAQS:

Prawns are fantastic to keep on hand in the freezer. They are really convenient for impromptu meals as there are so many ways to enjoy them, either as a simple starter or main course.

As the sauce will thicken as the dish stands, we recommend serving the Creamy Prawn Linguine immediately.

What is the best way to defrost prawns?

I defrost mine in an iced-water brine. Use a bowl large enough to accommodate all your prawns. Add some ice to cold water and add coarse kitchen salt, about 1 ½ tablespoons of salt per 1 litre (4 cups) of water. Add to the bowl of prawns. There should be sufficient brined water to submerge the prawns. Stir them occasionally until they defrost. Remove them immediately, pat them dry with paper towel and store in the refrigerator in an airtight container until you are ready to use them. They are best prepared on the day you intend to use them. Alternatively, you can defrost them in the refrigerator. Sit them in a colander over a bowl. Do not let them sit in their own juices. When defrosted, pat them dry with paper towel and store in the refrigerator in an airtight container. It is best to do this on the day that you intend to use them. Do not defrost prawns at room temperature or in the microwave.

How should I de-vein the prawns?

Sometimes you will notice a thin, dark line down the back of the prawn/shrimp and for aesthetics and taste, it is best to remove it. You may find the prawns/shrimp that you purchase will already be de-veined. If not, I find that the easiest way is to run a small, sharp knife down the back of the prawn, being careful to not cut too far and cut it in half. With the tip of the knife, or a toothpick, lift the digestive tract away from the prawn flesh. Sometimes it pulls away, all in one piece, but not always so it may take several tries to remove it.

Can I used cook prawns?

Raw prawns are preferred. However, you can use cooked, but you must be careful to only just warm them through or they will become tough. Add them when you return the pasta to the pan.

Should I rinse the cooked pasta under cold water?

No, please don't rinse the pasta. You will wash away all the starch and it's the starch which helps the sauce adhere to the linguine. You will also wash away the pasta flavour.

Why should I save some pasta water?

The pasta water may look slightly cloudy and uninspiring, but it is liquid gold. It contains salt and starch from the cooked pasta. When you add the cooked pasta to the sauce, along with some of the reserved pasta water, it acts as a thickening agent and emulsifies with the cream, creating a silky, luxurious sauce which clings to the linguine. This is how it's done in Italy.

Overhead shot of two round white plates with a serve of pasta, with a fork on the side of one.

Serving suggestions:

This Creamy Prawn Linguine is a complete meal on its own, but works so well alongside a fresh salad, such as our:

Or serve with our Easy Spelt Focaccia.

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A comforting dish of pasta is a favourite for any night of the week! Here are some more of our favourite recipes for you to try:

Creamy Prawn Linguine is one of my favourite pasta meals, and I hope that it becomes one of yours too. Serve it weeknights for a quick, easy meal or more formally for an impressive meal when entertaining. There is a perfect balance of flavours in this dish; it is creamy, with the tang of lemon offsetting the cream and the prawns adding a luxurious element. I hope that you enjoy this meal very soon.

Alex xx