Description
Savory garlic butter shrimp pasta delivers Mediterranean coastal charm on a single plate. Silky noodles embrace succulent shrimp, promising a quick, elegant dinner that transports taste buds to sunny seaside kitchens.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 pound (454 grams) shrimp, peeled and deveined
Pasta and Vegetables:
- 8 ounces (226 grams) pasta (linguine, spaghetti, or fettuccine)
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 2 cups fresh spinach, chopped
Seasonings and Additional Ingredients:
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- ¼ cup chicken broth (or dry white wine)
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- Juice of ½ lemon
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh basil or parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Cook the pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water according to package instructions until al dente, then drain and set aside.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat, creating a sizzling cooking surface for the shrimp.
- Add shrimp to the skillet, seasoning with minced garlic, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper, ensuring each shrimp is evenly coated with the aromatic spices.
- Sauté the shrimp for 2-3 minutes on each side until they turn pink and develop a golden-brown exterior, then transfer to a plate.
- In the same skillet, introduce halved cherry tomatoes and cook for 1-2 minutes until they begin to soften and release their natural juices.
- Fold in the chopped spinach, allowing it to wilt quickly and integrate with the tomatoes.
- Pour in chicken broth to deglaze the pan, scraping up any flavorful browned bits from the bottom of the skillet.
- Reduce heat and add butter, creating a rich, silky sauce that coats the vegetables.
- Squeeze fresh lemon juice into the skillet, brightening the sauce with a citrusy tang.
- Return the cooked shrimp to the pan, gently tossing to reheat and combine with the vegetable mixture.
- Add the cooked pasta, stirring to ensure every strand is thoroughly coated with the garlic butter sauce.
- Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese over the dish, allowing it to melt and create a creamy texture.
- Garnish with fresh basil or parsley, adding a final burst of color and herbal freshness before serving.
Notes
- Select quick-cooking pasta shapes like linguine or spaghetti to ensure perfect texture and even coating with garlic butter sauce.
- Pat shrimp completely dry before cooking to achieve beautiful golden sear and prevent watery, steamed texture instead of crispy edges.
- Reduce cooking time for shrimp by 30 seconds if using smaller or frozen varieties to prevent overcooking and maintain tender, juicy meat.
- Swap spinach with k
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 50 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 150 mg