Description
A romantic dish featuring pasta, succulent shrimp, and a creamy sauce with just the right kick of flavor, perfect for impressing someone special.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 ounces of fettuccine or linguine pasta
- 1 pound of large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 2 tablespoons of olive oil
- 4 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon of red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
- 1 cup of cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup of heavy cream
- ½ cup of chicken broth (or vegetable broth as a substitute)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- ½ cup of grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh basil for garnish
- Optional: lemon juice and zest for brightness
Instructions
- Begin by cooking your pasta. Boil a large pot of salted water, and once it’s bubbling, add your fettuccine or linguine. Cook according to package instructions until al dente, usually around 8-10 minutes. Make sure to reserve about half a cup of that starchy pasta water before draining!
- While the pasta is cooking, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes, sautéing until fragrant, about 1-2 minutes. Watch closely; you don’t want the garlic to burn!
- Toss in the shrimp. Cook for about 3-4 minutes, or until they turn pink and opaque. Stir occasionally so they cook evenly. When they’re almost done, fold in the cherry tomatoes, cooking just until they’re slightly softened.
- Pour in the heavy cream and chicken broth, then bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Add a pinch of salt and black pepper, and let this simmer for 3-4 minutes so the flavors marry and the sauce thickens slightly.
- Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese, mixing well. It should create a creamy, luscious sauce. If it’s too thick, add a splash of that reserved pasta water to reach your desired consistency.
- Toss the cooked pasta into the sauce, stirring until every strand is coated in that heavenly mixture. If you’re feeling adventurous, squeeze some fresh lemon juice over the top for an extra zing!
- Finally, garnish with fresh basil and perhaps a sprinkle of more Parmesan. Serve immediately for the best experience.
Notes
For lighter alternatives, swap heavy cream for coconut milk or cashew cream. Use whole-grain or legume-based pasta for added fiber.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Cooking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 500mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 180mg