Description
Shrimp and Spinach with Rich and Creamy Crab Cheese is a luxurious dish that combines tender shrimp, fresh spinach, and a creamy, flavorful crab cheese sauce. The dish is rich, comforting, and perfect for seafood lovers who enjoy indulgent flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
- For the Shrimp and Spinach:
- 1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 cups fresh spinach, chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- For the Crab Cheese Sauce:
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup cooked crab meat (can use imitation crab if needed)
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley (for garnish)
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook for about 1 minute until fragrant.
- Add the shrimp to the skillet and cook for about 2-3 minutes on each side until pink and fully cooked. Remove the shrimp from the skillet and set aside.
- In the same skillet, add the chopped spinach. Cook, stirring occasionally, for about 2-3 minutes until wilted. If using, sprinkle in the red pepper flakes for a little extra heat. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- While the spinach is cooking, prepare the crab cheese sauce: In a medium bowl, combine the cream cheese, sour cream, mayonnaise, crab meat, garlic powder, onion powder, and lemon juice. Stir until smooth and well combined.
- Once the spinach is wilted, add the crab cheese sauce to the skillet, stirring to combine with the spinach. Let the sauce simmer over low heat for 2-3 minutes to warm through and meld the flavors.
- Return the cooked shrimp to the skillet and gently stir to coat them in the creamy crab sauce. Cook for another 2-3 minutes until everything is heated through and the sauce is thickened slightly.
- Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese over the top of the dish and let it melt into the sauce. Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.
- Serve the shrimp and spinach with creamy crab cheese over pasta, rice, or with crusty bread to soak up the sauce. Enjoy!
Notes
- For a lighter version, you can use low-fat cream cheese or Greek yogurt instead of sour cream and mayonnaise.
- If you prefer a smoother sauce, you can blend the crab cheese sauce ingredients until completely smooth before adding it to the skillet.
- Feel free to add extra vegetables like mushrooms or bell peppers to the spinach and shrimp mixture for added flavor and texture.
- For more flavor depth, add a splash of white wine or chicken broth to the pan after cooking the shrimp, then let it reduce before adding the sauce ingredients.
- This dish pairs wonderfully with a light white wine, such as Sauvignon Blanc or Chardonnay.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Dish, Seafood
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American, Seafood
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 900mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 195mg