Description
Zesty shrimp pasta combines Mediterranean flavors with quick weeknight magic. Garlic, lemon, and herbs elevate this simple seafood dish for delightful dining you can enjoy without complicated techniques.
Ingredients
Scale
- 350 g (12 oz) shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 250 g (8.8 oz) linguine pasta
- 100 g (1 cup) cherry tomatoes, halved
- 4 tbsps (60 ml) olive oil
- 15 g (1 tbsp) butter
- ½ red pepper, finely diced (about ½ cup)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Juice of ½ lemon (about 2 tbsps)
- 1 tsp sweet paprika
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- ½ tsp chili flakes (optional)
- Fresh parsley, chopped
- Grated Gouda cheese (optional)
Instructions
- Pasta Preparation: Bring a large pot of salted water to a vigorous boil. Cook pasta until achieving the perfect al dente texture. Reserve two ladles of starchy cooking water before draining the pasta.
- Shrimp Searing: Heat olive oil in a spacious skillet over medium flame. Season shrimp with salt, black pepper, sweet paprika, and red chili flakes. Sear shrimp for 2-3 minutes per side until they turn pink and become translucent.
- Aromatic Infusion: Add minced garlic and diced red bell pepper to the skillet. Sauté briefly to release their vibrant flavors and slightly soften the vegetables.
- Sauce Development: Introduce cherry tomatoes and cook until they begin to burst and release their natural juices. Incorporate chopped parsley, a splash of lemon juice, and a pat of butter. Gently stir to create a luxurious, silky sauce that harmonizes the ingredients.
- Final Assembly: Combine the cooked pasta with the shrimp and vegetable mixture in the skillet. Use the reserved pasta water to create a smooth, clingy sauce that coats every strand. Sprinkle generously with grated Gouda cheese and serve immediately while steaming hot.
Notes
- Pasta Water Magic: Reserved starchy liquid transforms the sauce, helping it cling perfectly to pasta and creating a silky, restaurant-quality texture without cream.
- Shrimp Cooking Precision: Cook shrimp exactly 2-3 minutes per side to avoid rubbery texture; they’re done when turning completely pink and opaque.
- Flavor Layering Technique: Season shrimp generously with spices before cooking to build deep, complex flavor profiles that infuse throughout the entire dish.
- Quick Skillet Symphony: High-heat sautéing develops rich caramelization and prevents soggy vegetables, ensuring crisp bell peppers and intensely flavored garlic.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 629
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 500 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 68 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 33 g
- Cholesterol: 210 mg