Description
A quick and elegant meal combining succulent shrimp, perfectly cooked pasta, and a medley of flavors for a harmonious dining experience.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 ounces of pasta (spaghetti, fettuccine, or your preference)
- 1 pound of large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 3 tablespoons of olive oil
- 4 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon of red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
- 1 lemon, zested and juiced
- 1 cup of cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/4 cup of fresh parsley, chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Parmesan cheese (optional, for serving)
Instructions
- Begin your culinary journey by bringing a large pot of salted water to a boil. Once boiling, add your pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Remember to reserve about a half-cup of pasta cooking water before draining.
- While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes. Sauté for about a minute, allowing the garlic to become fragrant but not brown.
- Add the juicy shrimp to the skillet and season with salt and pepper. Sauté the shrimp for about 3-4 minutes, or until they turn pink and opaque.
- Fold in the halved cherry tomatoes along with the lemon zest and juice. Continue to cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, allowing the tomatoes to soften and release their juices.
- Add the cooked and drained pasta directly to the skillet. Toss everything together, and if the mixture seems a bit dry, pour in some reserved pasta water until you achieve your desired sauciness.
- Stir in the freshly chopped parsley, adjusting any seasoning with salt or pepper as needed. Serve immediately, topped with grated Parmesan cheese if desired.
Notes
Ensure not to overcook the shrimp; they only need 3-4 minutes! Don’t skip the pasta water; it’s essential for binding your sauce and enhancing flavor.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 200mg