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Get ready to fall head over heels in love with this irresistible creamy Tuscan marry me surf and turf recipe that will have you saying “I do” to every delectable bite. In just 30 minutes, you can create a culinary masterpiece that showcases the best of both worlds: succulent shrimp and tender steak, all enveloped in a luscious, creamy sauce infused with the vibrant flavors of sun-dried tomatoes, fresh spinach, tangy lemon juice, and nutty Parmesan cheese. This dish, inspired by the heartwarming cuisine of Tuscany, is a true testament to the power of food in capturing hearts and igniting passion.
Elevate date night with this creamy marry me surf and turf recipe that’s perfect for impressing your partner. It’s such a romantic and tasty dish.
Enjoy this sauce? You might also like marry me gnocchi, marry me chicken meatballs, marry me salmon, or marry me chickpeas.
Why You’ll Love It
Fantastic flavors: There’s a little bit of everything in here: savory shrimp and steak, sweet sun dried tomatoes, fresh baby spinach, a heavy cream and chicken broth based sauce, and more – it’s a heavenly combination of flavors and textures.
Quick and simple to make: You can make this delicious Tuscan surf and turf in just half an hour, and it’s a straightforward recipe.
A tasty of Tuscany: The Italian ingredients and seasonings flavor the creamy sauce beautifully and showcase the proteins.
Marry Me Steak and Shrimp Ingredients
A complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.
Steak: I used a pair of New York strip steaks for this recipe. Ribeye, flank or T-bone would also work great.
Shrimp: Large shrimp are perfect. Leave the tails on for a pretty presentation.
Heavy cream: To give a creamy texture to the sauce.
Chicken broth: Gives the sauce a meaty flavor (and proves you can combine steak, chicken and shrimp in one dish!)
Sun dried tomatoes: Sweet, slightly chewy and delicious. Use the ones in oil, not the dried ones.
Baby spinach: Adds a subtle flavor and a pop of color.
Cornstarch: To thicken the sauce (you might not need to thicken yours).
Lemon juice: Fresh is best. For a citrusy touch.
How to Make Marry Me Surf n Turf
For more detailed instructions with weights and measurements, jump to the printable recipe card.
Season the proteins: Season the steak and shrimp with salt and pepper.
Sear the steaks: Melt the butter in a skillet and then add the steaks on both sides. Remove them from the skillet.
Make the sauce: Add the garlic to the skillet and sauté until fragrant. Stir in the chicken broth and then the cream, tomatoes, oregano, and some salt and black pepper. Bring the sauce to a simmer.
Cook the shrimp: Add the shrimp to the sauce and cook for a couple of minutes.
Thicken the sauce: Mix cornstarch and water and stir this into the sauce to thicken.
Add the remaining ingredients: Add the parmesan, baby spinach and lemon juice and cook to wilt the spinach.
The finishing touches: Add the steak back into the skillet to warm through. Serve hot, garnished with basil, lemon wedges and extra parmesan if liked.
Substitutions and Variations
Gluten-free option: If you want a gluten-free version, use gluten-free chicken broth. Cornstarch is naturally gluten-free.
Butter: Swap half the butter for olive oil.
Protein: Try chicken, scallops, pork chops, or even lobster meat.
Herbs: Fresh cilantro, parsley or thyme can be used instead of fresh basil.
Spice it up: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce for a kick.
Vegetables: Sliced mushrooms or sliced asparagus would be good.
Chicken broth: Swap the chicken broth for dry white wine for an added depth of flavor (or use some of each).
Serving Suggestions
Appetizers: Begin your meal with sheet pan crab legs or a tasty baked brie with honey.
Side dishes: Enjoy marry me surf n turf with garlic mashed potatoes, garlic fried rice, corn casserole, smoked asparagus, or a lemon parmesan salad. Some crusty bread to mop up the sauce is also good. And perhaps a glass of sauvignon blanc or montepulciano.
Desserts: Finish with strawberry shortcake or fudgy chocolate brownies.
How to Store Marry Me Steak and Shrimp
Store: Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Freeze: I don’t recommend freezing leftovers because cream-based sauces are likely to separate.
Reheat: Reheat leftovers on the stove over medium-low heat until heated through. Add a splash of chicken broth and cream to loosen the sauce.
Top Tips
Preheat the skillet: Let the skillet get hot before adding the steak, creating a nice crust on the steak.
Shrimp cook quickly: They can become rubbery if overdone – a couple of minutes is all they’ll need.
Cornstarch slurry: The cornstarch slurry is optional, but it does give the sauce a nice creamy and smooth texture.
Marry Me Surf and Turf FAQs
It depends whether you cut your steaks in half for 4 small-ish portions or leave them whole to serve 2. If you’re also making appetizers and dessert, I’d say this will definitely stretch to 4 people (or 2 people with leftovers!)
I recommend using an instant-read thermometer to check. A medium-rare steak will be between 130°F and 140°F in the center.
Creamy Tuscan Marry Me Surf and Turf Recipe
Marry Me Surf and Turf
Equipment
- Skillet Large
Ingredients
- 2 steaks, eg New York, ribeye, flank steak
- ½ Pound shrimp, large, peeled and tail-on
- 1 Teaspoon salt
- ¾ Teaspoon black pepper
- 4 Tablespoons butter
- 3 Cloves garlic, minced
- 2 Cups chicken broth
- 1 Cup heavy cream
- ½ Cup sun-dried tomatoes, drained and chopped
- ½ Teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ Cup parmesan cheese, grated
- 2 Cups baby spinach, chopped
- juice from ½ lemon
- 1 Tablespoon corn starch, optional for thickening
- 2 Tablespoons water, optional for thickening
For Garnish:
- fresh basil, thinly chopped
- lemon wedges, optional
Instructions
- Season the steak and shrimp with ½ teaspoon salt and ½ teaspoon pepper. Set the shrimp aside.
- Melt the butter in a large skillet over a medium-high heat.
- Once hot, add the steak and sear for 4 minutes, then flip and cook for another 3 to 4 minutes.
- Remove the steaks from the pan and cover them loosely with foil. Let them stand for 10 minutes.
- Add the garlic to the same pan and sauté for 30 to 60 seconds or until fragrant.
- Add the chicken broth and stir to combine.
- Whisk in the heavy cream, sun-dried tomatoes, oregano, ½ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon pepper.
- Bring the sauce to a simmer.
- Add the shrimp and cook in the sauce for 2 minutes.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and water until smooth.
- Add the cornstarch slurry to the pan, stir and simmer for 2 minutes or until the sauce has thickened.
- Add the parmesan, spinach and lemon juice.
- Stir to combine and let it cook until spinach is wilted down.
- Return the steak to the skillet and warm it through.
- Serve immediately, garnished with basil, lemon wedges and/or additional parmesan cheese if liked.
Notes
Shrimp cook quickly: They can become rubbery if overdone – a couple of minutes is all they’ll need.
Cornstarch slurry: The cornstarch slurry is optional, but it does give the sauce a nice creamy and smooth texture.
Nutrition
This delicious marry me surf and turf dish pairs steak and shrimp with a rich, creamy sauce that includes baby spinach, parmesan cheese, sun dried tomatoes, and more. It’s such a delicious dish and pairs beautifully with anything from mashed potatoes to rice or pasta. Bring the flavors of Tuscany into your own kitchen.
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Bella Bucchiotti
Bella Bucchiotti is a Canadian-based syndicated food, travel, and lifestyle writer, photographer, and creator at xoxoBella. She founded xoxoBella in 2015, where she shares her love for food, dogs, sustainability, fitness, crafts, outdoor adventures, travel, and philanthropy to encourage others to run the extra mile, try new recipes, visit unfamiliar places, and stand for a cause. Bella creates stress-free and family-friendly recipes for weeknight dinners and festive feasts.
Everyone kept coming back for seconds—it’s officially in my meal rotation!