Creamy Tuscan Shrimp with Spinach & Sun-dried Tomatoes

Cream-based sauces are a keto eater’s secret weapon. This dish, inspired by rustic Tuscan flavours, wraps juicy shrimp in a velvety garlic cream sauce, studded with earthy spinach and tangy sun-dried tomatoes. It feels indulgent yet is perfectly aligned with ketogenic macros: high fat, moderate protein, and very low carbs.

Unlike pasta-laden Italian fare, this recipe swaps noodles for nutrition-rich spinach, letting the sauce and shrimp take centre stage. A balance of richness and freshness, it’s one of those 20-minute dinners that feels restaurant-worthy while remaining weeknight friendly.

Ingredients

(Serves 2)

• 300 g (10 oz) raw shrimp, peeled and deveined

• 2 tbsp olive oil (30 ml / 1 fl oz)

• 3 cloves garlic, minced (9 g / 0.3 oz)

• 60 g (½ cup) sun-dried tomatoes in olive oil, drained and sliced (2 oz)

• 120 ml (½ cup) heavy cream (4 fl oz)

• 60 ml (¼ cup) chicken broth (2 fl oz)

• 30 g (2 tbsp) cream cheese (1 oz)

• 60 g (2 cups) fresh spinach leaves (2 oz)

• 30 g (¼ cup) grated Parmesan (1 oz)

• 1 tsp dried Italian herbs (1 g / 0.04 oz)

• Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

• Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish

Method

1. Cook shrimp: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Season shrimp with salt and pepper, then cook 2–3 minutes per side until pink. Transfer to a plate.

2. Sauté aromatics: Add remaining oil, garlic, and sun-dried tomatoes to the skillet. Cook for 1–2 minutes until fragrant.

3. Make the sauce: Stir in cream, chicken broth, and cream cheese. Simmer gently until thickened, about 5 minutes.

4. Add greens and cheese: Stir in spinach and Parmesan, cooking until spinach wilts and sauce is silky.

5. Return shrimp: Toss shrimp back into the pan, coating with sauce.

6. Serve: Garnish with parsley and serve hot.

Nutritional Information

(per serving)

• Calories: 530 kcal

• Protein: 38 g

• Fat: 38 g

• Carbohydrates: 9 g

• Fibre: 2 g

• Net Carbs: 7 g

Why It Fits the Keto Diet

The creamy base offers a high-fat content essential for sustaining ketosis, while shrimp provides lean protein and key minerals like selenium and iodine. Spinach boosts fibre, vitamin K, and magnesium, making it a nutrient-dense addition with negligible carbs (USDA, 2020).

Research supports the satiety benefits of high-fat meals in ketogenic diets, helping regulate appetite and improve adherence (Paoli et al., 2013). This recipe shows how indulgent flavours can align perfectly with metabolic goals.

Serving and Plating Suggestions

Serve in a shallow white bowl to showcase the glossy sauce. Garnish with a few whole sun-dried tomato slices and a sprinkle of chopped parsley. Pair with zucchini noodles or cauliflower mash for a complete keto meal.

Variations

• Substitute shrimp with scallops for a more luxurious version.

• Add a pinch of chilli flakes for heat.

• Replace spinach with kale for a sturdier green.

References

• Paoli A, Rubini A, Volek JS, Grimaldi KA. Beyond weight loss: a review of the therapeutic uses of very-low-carbohydrate (ketogenic) diets. Eur J Clin Nutr. 2013;67(8):789–796.

• USDA FoodData Central. Spinach, raw. 2020.

Artistic interpretation - details may differ from the actual.