How to Make Creamy Garlic Prawn Pasta at Home (Easy White Sauce Recipe)

Some days call for salads. Other days? They demand pasta. Creamy, garlicky, comforting pasta. This prawn pasta is for those exact moments when you want something indulgent but still doable on a weekday.

Think juicy creamy garlic prawns, a silky sauce, and pasta that feels fancy without trying too hard. If you’ve been hunting for an easy, no-drama prawn pasta recipe, you’re exactly where you should be.

Why This Creamy Garlic Prawn Pasta Recipe Always Works?

This is one of those recipes that looks like you really tried but honestly, it comes together faster than most food delivery apps. The prawns cook in minutes, the sauce builds right in the same pan, and everything tastes rich without being heavy.

What I love most about this prawn pasta is balance. It’s the kind of easy white sauce pasta recipe you make once and then keep coming back to, busy nights, last-minute guests, or those “I deserve something good today” moods.

Ingredients You’ll Need for Creamy Garlic Prawn Pasta

You’ll need:

• Prawns – cleaned and deveined. Fresh is great, frozen works too (just thaw properly).
  

• Pasta – penne is my go-to, but tagliatelle or spaghetti also hold the sauce beautifully.
  

• Garlic – and yes, be generous. This is creamy garlic prawns after all.
  

• Onion – brown, red, or shallots. Whatever’s already in your kitchen.
  

• Butter + olive oil – for flavour and that silky base.
  

• Cream – just enough to make it rich, not overwhelming.
  

• Tomato paste
  

• Seasonings – pepper, chilli flakes (optional), a pinch of salt.
  

• Parmesan – freshly grated, always.
  

That’s it. Simple ingredients, serious comfort.

How to Make Creamy Garlic Prawn Pasta Step by Step

1. Boil the pasta first.
   Cook it in well-salted water until just al dente. Before draining, save a little pasta water. This starchy magic will fix everything later.
   

2. Start the sauce.
   Heat olive oil and butter in a pan. Add onions and let them soften slowly. No browning rush. Then in goes the garlic just till fragrant. Blink and it burns, so stay close.
   

3. Add the prawns.
   Toss them in and cook for a minute or two per side. They turn pink fast. Remove and keep aside.
   

4. Build the creamy base.
   Lower the heat. Stir in tomato paste, then cream. Let it gently simmer. Add pepper, chilli flakes if you like heat, and a little pasta water to loosen things up.
   

5. Bring it all together.
   Add pasta, prawns, and parmesan. Toss gently until everything is coated in that glossy, creamy garlic sauce.

At this point, the kitchen already smells unfairly good.

Tips to Make Creamy Garlic Prawn Pasta Taste Better

These are the little things I’ve messed up before, so you don’t have to.

• Don’t overcook the prawns.
  If they curl up tight, they’re done.
  

• Use fresh garlic. Always.
  Powder just doesn’t give that deep, garlicky hit you want in creamy garlic prawns.
  

• Pasta water is non-negotiable.
  If the sauce feels too thick, add a splash. It brings everything together.
  

• Grate your own cheese.
  Pre-grated cheese doesn’t melt the same way. Fresh parmesan = smoother sauce.
  

• Taste before serving.
  Cream can dull flavours. A pinch of salt or extra pepper at the end makes a big difference.
  

What to Serve With Creamy Garlic Prawn Pasta (Best Side Dishes)

This dish is rich, comforting, and honestly quite filling on its own. But if you’re in the mood to make it feel like a proper meal, here’s what works really well:

• Garlic bread – obvious choice, but unbeatable. Something to scoop up that creamy sauce at the end.
  

• A simple green salad – lettuce, cucumber, maybe a light vinaigrette. You need that freshness to balance the cream.
  

• Steamed or roasted veggies – broccoli, beans, or zucchini keep things light without stealing the spotlight.
  

• A glass of white wine or lemon water – totally optional, but it just fits the vibe.
  

Keep the sides simple. Let the pasta be the main character.

Creamy Garlic Prawn Pasta Recipe: Final Thoughts

So, there you have it. Your ultimate prawn pasta recipe, creamy, garlicky, and indulgent without going overboard. Whether it’s a weeknight craving or a weekend treat, this easy white sauce pasta recipe hits the sweet spot every time.

And hey, if you want to skip the fuss of making the sauce from scratch, grab Habanero’s Creamy Pasta Sauce. Pour it in, toss in your prawns, and you’ve got that restaurant-style creamy garlic prawns experience right at home. Simple, rich, and totally satisfying.

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