Description
Seafood meets spice in this mouthwatering Old Bay Garlic Shrimp Pasta that promises a flavor explosion from the first bite. Succulent shrimp tossed with perfectly seasoned pasta will transport diners straight to coastal comfort, inviting you to savor each zesty, memorable forkful.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Seafood:
- 12 ounces (340 g) spaghetti, linguine, or fettuccine
- 1 pound (450 g) large shrimp, peeled and deveined (tails on or off)
Seasonings and Flavor Enhancers:
- 1 tablespoon Old Bay seasoning
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional for heat)
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Dairy and Oils:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- ¼ cup (25 g) grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
- Juice of 1 lemon
- Lemon wedges
Instructions
- Prepare a generously salted pot of water and cook pasta until perfectly tender, maintaining a slight bite. Carefully preserve one cup of starchy pasta liquid before draining.
- Thoroughly coat raw shrimp with Old Bay seasoning in a mixing container, ensuring each morsel receives an even dusting of spice.
- Heat olive oil and butter in a spacious skillet over medium temperature. Introduce seasoned shrimp and execute a precise cooking process, transforming them from translucent to vibrant pink, approximately 2-3 minutes per side. Transfer perfectly cooked shellfish to a temporary holding plate.
- In the same skillet, incorporate remaining fat components. Gently sauté minced garlic and optional red pepper flakes, releasing their aromatic essence and developing deep flavor profiles.
- Introduce drained pasta into the fragrant skillet, utilizing reserved liquid to create a silky, cohesive sauce. Integrate fresh lemon juice and optional Parmesan, seasoning with salt and black pepper to elevate overall taste complexity.
- Reintroduce seared shrimp into the pasta mixture, gently folding to ensure uniform heating and complete flavor integration.
- Finish the dish with a sprinkle of freshly chopped parsley, presenting alongside additional lemon wedges and an optional dusting of Old Bay for those desiring extra zest.
Notes
- Always use freshly boiled pasta water to help create a silky, clingy sauce that evenly coats the noodles.
- Avoid overcooking shrimp by removing them from heat as soon as they turn pink and curl slightly to maintain tender texture.
- Adjust spice levels by controlling the amount of red pepper flakes or replacing Old Bay with a milder seasoning blend for sensitive palates.
- Consider dairy-free alternatives like nutritional yeast or vegan Parmesan for lactose-intolerant or plant-based diet requirements.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 456
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 16 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 54 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 24 g
- Cholesterol: 160 mg