High Protein Creamy Boursin Shrimp Pasta – An Easy Weeknight Dinner
If you’re looking for a creamy pasta dinner that feels indulgent but is lightened up, this Creamy Boursin Shrimp Pasta is a perfect choice.
The garlic and herb flavor from the Boursin cheese creates a rich, velvety sauce that tastes like something from a restaurant, but it’s surprisingly easy to make at home.
This recipe is lighter than most traditional creamy pasta dishes. There is no heavy cream or butter, which helps to drastically lower the points.
The Ingredients
Shrimp: Shrimp is a great source of lean protein and is naturally low in fat and calories.
High-protein foods help keep you full longer, and this dish has 36g of protein per serving.
Pasta: When enjoyed in reasonable portions and paired with protein and vegetables, like in this recipe, it creates a satisfying and balanced meal.
Olive Oil: A small amount of olive oil adds heart-healthy fats and helps cook the shrimp without needing heavier fats like butter.
Garlic: Garlic adds bold flavor without adding calories and contains antioxidants that support overall health.
Cherry Tomatoes: Cherry tomatoes are rich in vitamins and antioxidants and bring a natural sweetness that brightens the creamy sauce.
Spinach: Spinach is packed with nutrients like iron, fiber, and vitamins A and C. It adds volume to the meal without adding many calories.
Fat-Free Half and Half: Using fat-free half and half keeps the sauce creamy while keeping the dish lighter than traditional cream-based pasta sauces.
Boursin Cheese: Boursin cheese delivers a big garlic and herb flavor in a small amount, helping create a rich sauce without needing large amounts of cheese.
Parmesan Cheese: Parmesan adds a salty, nutty flavor that enhances the entire dish, so a little goes a long way.
Click here to track the points on your Weight Watchers app. The full nutrition information can be found at the bottom of the recipe card.
How to Make Creamy Boursin Shrimp Pasta
Cook the pasta according to package directions. Reserve about 1/4 cup of the pasta water, then drain the pasta and set it aside.
Heat olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add the shrimp and cook for about 1–2 minutes per side, or until pink and cooked through. Remove the shrimp from the pan and set aside.
In the same skillet, add the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Add the cherry tomatoes and cook for 2–3 minutes until they begin to soften.
Stir in the fat-free half and half and Boursin cheese. Reduce the heat to medium-low and stir until the cheese melts into a creamy sauce.
Next, stir in the Parmesan cheese. Add the spinach and cook until wilted.
Combine everything – add the cooked pasta and shrimp. Toss everything evenly together until coated in the sauce.
If needed, add a little reserved pasta water to loosen the sauce.
Why This Recipe Works for Weight Watchers and Eating Light
This dish is high in protein – 36g per serving! Protein helps keep you full longer.
You get a tasty creamy sauce without all of the fat.
The combination of pasta, shrimp, and vegetables creates a balanced dinner with protein, carbs, and nutrients.
Spinach and tomatoes add fiber, nutrients, and volume, helping make the meal filling without adding many extra points.
High Protein Creamy Boursin Shrimp Pasta – An Easy Weeknight Dinner
Ingredients
- 6 oz. uncooked linguine
- 1/4 cup pasta water
- 1 lb. shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup spinach
- 1/2 cup fat-free half and half
- 2 oz. Boursin garilc and herb cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Cook the pasta according to the package directions. Reserve about 1/4 cup of the pasta water, then drain the pasta and set it aside.
- Heat olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add the shrimp and cook for about 1-2 minutes per side, or until pink and cooked through. Remove the shrimp from the pan and set aside.
- In the same skillet, add the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Add the cherry tomatoes and cook for 2-3 minutes until they begin to soften.
- Stir in the fat-free half and half and Boursin cheese. Reduce the heat to medium-low and stir until the cheese melts into a creamy sauce.
- Next, stir in the Parmesan cheese. Add the spinach and cook until wilted.
- Combine everything – add the cooked pasta and shrimp. Toss everything evenly together until coated in the sauce.
- If needed, add a little reserved pasta water to loosen the sauce.
Notes
Here are some more Weight Watchers friendly recipes:
Skillet Shrimp with Bell Peppers and Zucchini
Shrimp Scampi with Cauliflower Rice
Are you looking for a meal plan that’s Weight Watchers friendly? I have over 300 meal plans that you can choose from and I post a new one each week. Click here to check them out!
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