Tuscan ‘Marry Me’ Shrimp + Grits 

Dive into the deliciousness of Tuscan ‘Marry Me’ Shrimp + Grits! Picture creamy, buttery wild-caught jumbo shrimp swimming in tomatoey Tuscan sauce, paired with velvety Southern cheese grits. It's comfort food with a flavorful twist--- a perfect weeknight dinner option! Vegan + Dairy-free Option.

As a true Southerner, I'm all about tasty grits recipes—you've probably noticed...And since you've all been loving my Creamy Tuscan 'Marry Me' Chicken and 'Marry Me’ Tuscan Chicken Gnocchi Soup, I thought it was time to add a shrimp version to the mix. Tuscan ‘Marry Me’ Shrimp + Grits is simply so amazingly delicious that all I can say is “chef's kiss” Haha.

Creamy Tuscan shrimp is seriously the bomb! So juicy and bursting with flavor, especially when it's soaking up that creamy Tuscan goodness. This recipe is just what you need for a chill family dinner, a cozy date night, or those crazy weeknights when you're in a rush but still want something tasty. I use my Creamy Southern Cheese Grits as the base and it makes the best flavor combo! If you're into grits like I am, you've gotta try my Spicy Southern Shrimp + Grits, Creamy Southern Sweet Potato Grits, and Nashville Creamy Southern Sweet Potato Grits next! They're all winners, trust me!

This dish is a total crowd-pleaser and fits any diet, with dairy-free + vegan options. It takes about 40 minutes to make. The combo of heavy cream, Tuscan herbs, sun-dried tomatoes, and Parmesan cheese makes the sauce seriously irresistible. It's the kind of meal you'll find yourself making over and over again during the week. If you're hunting for more weeknight dinner ideas check out my "Weeknight Meals" category on the site!

Jump to:

• Reasons Why You’ll Love Tuscan ‘Marry Me’ Shrimp + Grits!
• How To Make Tuscan ‘Marry Me’ Shrimp + Grits!
• Ingredients
• What Is Grits?
• Are Grits the Same as Polenta?
• My Top Five Tips for Perfect Grits
• What Type Of Shirmp Is Best?
• Can I Use Frozen Shrimp?
• Do You Eat The Skin On Shrimp?
• Can I Add Veggies to this Dish?
• Can I Make A Vegan Version?
• Tuscan ‘Marry Me’ Shrimp + Grits Q + A's
• More Delicious Seafood Recipes
• MADE OUR RECIPE(S)?
• Tuscan ‘Marry Me’ Shrimp + Grits 

Reasons Why You’ll Love Tuscan ‘Marry Me’ Shrimp + Grits!

• Creamy Tuscan flavors that are simply irresistible
• Juicy shrimp perfectly complementing the rich grits
• Quick + easy to prepare, perfect for busy weeknights
• Offers dairy-free + vegan options
• A crowd-pleaser that will become a weekly favorite
• And just absolutely wholesome and perfect for any kind of weather.

How To Make Tuscan ‘Marry Me’ Shrimp + Grits!

Start this recipe by making the simple Tuscan seasoning. This is a spice blend you’ll want to keep on hand to season everything from Creamy Tuscan Tortellini Soup to Baked Tuscan Chicken and Gnocchi. The ingredients are simple and you probably already have them at home. For the grits, you can follow my Creamy Southern Cheese Grits recipe! And finally, you can go ahead and make the creamy sauce + sear the shrimp.

Ingredients

To make this creamy Tuscan shrimp + grits recipe you will need:

CREAMY GRITS:

• Creamy Southern Cheese Grits. See the recipe HERE!

HOMEMADE TUSCAN BLEND:

• 1 Tbsp smoked paprika 
• 2 tsps dried parsley
• 2 tsps dried basil
• 2 tsps dried oregano
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 1 tsp garlic powder 
• ½ tsp dried rosemary
• 2 bay leaves

TUSCAN 'MARRY ME' SHRIMP:

• Wild-caught jumbo shrimp. I love to use jumbo, which are the biggest and sweetest.
• Butter. Use unsalted butter to add additional flavor + fat to the sauce. For vegan/dairy-free option, use vegan butter.
• Extra virgin olive oil. Feel free to use your favorite high-quality EVOO. My fave tried and trusted brand is California Olive Ranch.
• Homemade Tuscan blend.
• Garlic cloves. You can never have too much! I recommend using 4 cloves to infuse the sauce with flavor.
• Heavy cream. I recommend organic–always! I use Organic Valley. Of course, for a dairy-free option, just use full-fat coconut cream/milk.
• Seafood or vegetable stock. Use store-bought low-sodium broth or make your own!
• White cooking wine. Choose dry wine for the best flavor. This adds a bit of acidity to the sauce.
• Lemon. Freshly-squeezed
• Sundried tomatoes. This adds a rich jammy tomato flavor.
• Tomato paste. This is my secret flavor enhancer and the thing that gives this dish some color. 
• Parmesan cheese. I love to freshly grate my cheese, however, you can use your favorite shredded brand---quality does matter! For a dairy-free option, So Delicious Dairy-Free or Violife cheese shreds taste great.
• Cherry or grape tomatoes. Halved. You can also roast these for the best flavor-- see my herb-roasted tomatoes recipe.
• Kale. Chopped + destemmed.

SHOP MY FAVORITE TOOLS FOR COOKING, ESPECIALLY FOR THIS MARRY ME SAUCE!!

Here, I’ve curated a list of baking + cooking essentials that I use to achieve my favorite dishes, especially with this Tuscan ‘Marry Me’ Shrimp + Grits! Everything from my fave skillet, pots, wooden spoons, parchment paper, and more. SEE THEM HERE!

What Is Grits?

Ever wondered, "What is grits? or "how to cook grits?" Well, if you didn't grow up in the South, this might be a delicious revelation for you!

Grits, my friend, are a Southern culinary treasure! They're like a warm, comforting hug in a bowl – made from ground, dried corn, and they're a staple in Southern cuisine. Think of them as a creamy, dreamy porridge that can be enjoyed sweet or savory, depending on your mood. They've got a rich, buttery flavor and a smooth, slightly grainy texture that's just oh-so-comforting

Are Grits the Same as Polenta?

Basically, because polenta and grits are both made from ground corn, you can use them interchangeably. However, grits are higher in starch than polenta, so if you do choose to substitute in polenta for grits, you won't have to stir it as frequently, but it won't cook up as creamy as grits.

My Top Five Tips for Perfect Grits

Here are my top tips when learning how to cook grits:

#1: Heat + Soak Grits: Much like cashews, this allows grits to soften, cook faster, and become more creamy.

#2: Boil grits for 20-30 minutes uncovered, but make sure to stir regularly to avoid lumps.

#3: It's all about adding milk, water, + heavy cream with cheese for the ultimate creaminess.

#4: Don't be afraid to season your girts. It amplifies the flavors more.

#5: Low + slow is always best. This allows the grits to slowly release their starches for a decadent, silky texture.

What Type Of Shirmp Is Best?

When selecting shrimp for this recipe, I suggest going for jumbo or large shrimp. These sizes strike a balance between being substantial enough to provide a satisfying bite and not too overwhelming.

Can I Use Frozen Shrimp?

Yes! While it may sound counterintuitive, using frozen and thawed, shrimp can actually be advantageous. Opting for frozen shrimp allows you to have more control over the quality and timing of your meal preparation. It's like having a secret stash of deliciousness in your freezer, ready to be transformed into a scrumptious meal whenever you desire an easy weeknight dinner.

Do You Eat The Skin On Shrimp?

Yes, you can if desired! The shrimp shells are cooked until tender and are infused with seasonings and spice, which make it truly easy and delicious to eat as a whole. Of course, if preferred, you can always remove the shells.

Can I Add Veggies to this Dish?

Definitely! This is a great recipe to mix and match the ingredients/toppings. For added nutrients, fiber, and color, add your favorite veggies.

You can add roasted cauliflower, brussels sprouts, bell peppers, asparagus, green peas, roasted herb tomatoes, mushrooms, or leafy greens (kale, spinach, collard greens). All will be delicious!

If you want to add some greens to your grits, you certainly can. My article, Our Top 12 Favorite Healthy Green Leafy Vegetables shares a list of great greens! Off the top—-kale, spinach or collard greens make great additions. Also, roasted broccolini is one of my faves to adds.

Can I Make A Vegan Version?

Absolutely! I've got a vegan Creamy Southern Sweet Potato Grits with Chickpeas recipe already up on the site. But if you want to go vegan with the grits (check out the FAQ below for tips), it's super easy. Then, you can just pick another vegan "meat" option to swim in that amazing 'Marry Me' sauce. Personally, I love hearty and filling vegan choices like:

• Tempeh
• Vegan/ Plant-based alternatives like Gardein
• Cauliflower
• Mushrooms
• Chickpeas
• Seitan
• Tofu
• Jackfruit
• Lentils

Tuscan ‘Marry Me’ Shrimp + Grits Q + A's

More Delicious Seafood Recipes

If you enjoyed Tuscan ‘Marry Me’ Shrimp + Grits , definitely throw these mouthwatering seafood recipes onto your "must-make next" list:

• Jamaican Spicy 'Pepper' Shrimp
• Creamy Lobster Bisque
• Honey Garlic Shrimp with Broccoli
• Spicy Cajun Shrimp, Kale + Cauliflower Rice
• Savory Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta
• Best Easy Blackened Shrimp Po’Boy
• Parmesan Garlic Shrimp Scampi with Linguine
• Jerk Lobster Rolls (Sweet & Spicy BBQ)

MADE OUR RECIPE(S)?

If you tried this Tuscan ‘Marry Me’ Shrimp + Grits recipe or any other recipe on my website, please please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how you go in the 📝 comments below. And don't forget to tag @orchidsnsweettea_ on Instagram  and hashtag it #orchidsandsweettea! I love hearing from you!

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