This Creamy Spinach Mushroom Shrimp Shells dish is a restaurant-style comfort meal packed into one skillet. Plump, juicy shrimp are sautéed and nestled in a rich, garlicky cream sauce with tender mushrooms and a bed of wilted spinach. The whole thing gets layered over al dente shell pasta, creating a crave-worthy dinner that feels indulgent without being complicated.

It’s perfect for a date night in or a cozy dinner with friends. The harmony of seafood and earthy vegetables in a creamy base offers a satisfying experience for your taste buds and makes a beautiful plate presentation.

Preparation Phase & Tools to Use

To pull off the perfect Creamy Spinach Mushroom Shrimp Shells, you’ll want to prep with a few kitchen essentials:

Large Skillet or Sauté Pan: A deep, wide skillet ensures even cooking and allows space to combine shrimp, sauce, and vegetables without overcrowding.
Pot for Boiling Pasta: A medium to large pot is needed to cook the shell pasta just until al dente so it can soak up the sauce later.
Tongs or Silicone Spatula: Great for gently turning shrimp and folding in spinach without bruising the leaves.

Sharp Knife and Cutting Board: Essential for slicing mushrooms and prepping fresh ingredients quickly and safely.
Colander: For draining pasta efficiently while keeping it hot and ready for tossing into the sauce.

Having these tools within reach makes the cooking process seamless and keeps all components cooked to perfection.

Ingredients for the Creamy Spinach Mushroom Shrimp Shells

Each ingredient plays a vital role in creating the creamy, savory balance of this dish:

Jumbo Shrimp: The star of the show! Tender, juicy, and quick to cook, they bring a delicate seafood sweetness.
Baby Bella Mushrooms: Earthy and meaty, they add depth and umami to the sauce.

Fresh Spinach: A nutrient-rich green that wilts beautifully into the sauce for added texture and color.
Garlic: Intensifies the savory element with its rich aroma and flavor.
Shallots or Onion: Provide a mellow, sweet base flavor that enhances the sauce.

Heavy Cream: Creates the luscious base for the sauce, binding all the flavors together.
Parmesan Cheese: Adds nutty sharpness and melts smoothly into the cream.
Butter: Used to sauté and enriches the sauce with a silky finish.

Olive Oil: Helps sear the shrimp and sauté the mushrooms evenly.
Sea Salt & Cracked Black Pepper: Seasoning essentials that brighten every component.
Medium Shell Pasta: The perfect vehicle to catch all the creamy sauce in its ridges.

How To Make the Creamy Spinach Mushroom Shrimp Shells

Step 1: Boil the Pasta

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook shell pasta until just al dente. Drain and set aside.

Step 2: Sauté the Shrimp

In a hot skillet, heat olive oil and cook shrimp 2-3 minutes per side until pink and opaque. Remove and set aside.

Step 3: Cook the Mushrooms

In the same skillet, add butter and sauté mushrooms until golden brown. Season with salt and pepper.

Step 4: Add Aromatics

Add chopped shallots and garlic to the mushrooms. Sauté until fragrant and translucent, about 2 minutes.

Step 5: Wilt the Spinach

Toss in the fresh spinach and stir gently until just wilted.

Step 6: Make the Cream Sauce

Pour in heavy cream and stir in Parmesan cheese. Let the sauce simmer until slightly thickened.

Step 7: Combine Everything

Return the cooked shrimp and drained pasta to the skillet. Toss until everything is coated in the creamy sauce.

Step 8: Serve Hot

Garnish with extra Parmesan and fresh parsley if desired. Serve immediately while creamy and hot.

Best Way to Serve and Store Creamy Spinach Mushroom Shrimp Shells

Serve this dish fresh from the skillet while the cream sauce is velvety and warm. It pairs beautifully with a side of crusty bread or a light green salad. Garnish with fresh parsley or a touch of lemon zest for a bright finishing note.

To store leftovers, allow the dish to cool completely before transferring to an airtight container. Keep refrigerated for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of cream or broth to loosen the sauce.

Freezing isn’t ideal due to the dairy content, as it may separate when thawed. If you must freeze, do so without the pasta and reheat gently.

Frequently Asked Questions

What kind of shrimp should I use?

Large or jumbo raw shrimp, peeled and deveined, work best. Tail-on adds a nice visual touch but is optional.

Can I substitute the cream with something lighter?

Yes, you can use half-and-half or a light cream, though the sauce will be less rich. A splash of milk with a bit of cornstarch can also thicken it.

What type of pasta works best?

Shells are ideal because they trap the creamy sauce, but penne, orecchiette, or bow ties also work well.

Can I make this dish ahead of time?

You can prep the components in advance (cook pasta, sauté shrimp, slice mushrooms), but assemble and serve it fresh for best texture and taste.

Is it possible to make this dish gluten-free?

Absolutely! Just use your favorite gluten-free shell pasta and ensure your Parmesan and broth (if used) are gluten-free.

How can I add more flavor?

Try a pinch of red pepper flakes in the cream sauce or a squeeze of lemon juice at the end for brightness.

Want More Pasta Dinner Ideas?

If you love these Creamy Spinach Mushroom Shrimp Shells, you’ll probably enjoy these other favorites from Life With Olivia:

Cheesy Spinach Stuffed Shells for a vegetarian baked classic.
Seafood Stuffed Shells when you want even more ocean flavor.
Creamy Jamaican Shrimp Rasta Pasta Recipe for a spicy, tropical twist.

Creamy Garlic Butter Lobster Tails if you’re feeling fancy.
One Pot Chicken Parmesan Mac Cheese for another creamy pasta classic.

Save This Recipe for Later

📌 Save this recipe to your Pinterest seafood or pasta board so you can come back to it any time: https://www.pinterest.com/scherer29/

And let me know in the comments how yours turned out. Did you go heavy on the garlic? Add red pepper flakes? Or try it with a dash of white wine?

I love hearing how others make these recipes their own. Questions are welcome too—let’s help each other cook smarter.

Creamy Spinach Mushroom Shrimp Shells

Author: Olivia McKenney

Total Time: 30 minutes
Yield: 4 servings

Print Recipe

Description

This Creamy Spinach Mushroom Shrimp Shells dish blends plump shrimp, earthy mushrooms, and tender spinach in a garlic-Parmesan cream sauce over shell pasta. It’s an elegant, comforting one-skillet dinner perfect for weeknights or special occasions.

Instructions

1. Boil the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook shell pasta until just al dente. Drain and set aside.

2. Sauté the shrimp: In a large skillet over medium heat, heat olive oil. Cook shrimp for 2–3 minutes per side until pink and opaque. Remove from skillet and set aside.

3. Cook the mushrooms: Add butter to the same skillet, then add mushrooms. Cook until golden brown. Season lightly with salt and pepper.

4. Add aromatics: Stir in garlic and shallots. Cook for 2 minutes until soft and fragrant.

5. Wilt the spinach: Add spinach and cook until just wilted, stirring gently.

6. Make the cream sauce: Pour in heavy cream and stir in Parmesan cheese. Let simmer 3–5 minutes until slightly thickened.

7. Combine: Add shrimp and cooked pasta back to the skillet. Toss to coat everything evenly in the sauce.

8. Serve: Serve hot, garnished with additional Parmesan or parsley if desired.