I’ve never been much of a seafood enthusiast, mainly because we don’t have access to the sea at home. However, during a trip with friends, I decided to step out of my comfort zone and prepared Creamy Garlic Shrimp Scampi Pasta. Surprisingly, I found myself enjoying this dish. Sometimes, it just takes a willingness to try something new. The key to seafood, and particularly to the success of the Creamy Garlic Shrimp Scampi Pasta recipe, lies in freshness and quality. Underestimating these factors is a mistake; to achieve the best results, follow this rule diligently. Now, let’s dive into the details of this fantastic recipe for garlic shrimp with the pasta of your choice.
Recipe
Ingredients in this recipe
- 8 oz (about 225 g) linguine or your preferred pasta for pairing with shrimp
- 1 pound (about 450 g) large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons of olive oil
- 4 tablespoons of unsalted butter
- 5 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for a hint of heat)
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup baby spinach leaves
- 1/2 cup chicken or vegetable broth, or water
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley or dill (I love dill)
- Lemon wedges to serve
Step-by-step instructions
- Cook the pasta according to the package instructions in a large pot of boiling salted water. Drain and set aside. I recommend linguine, but the choice is yours.
- Season the prepared shrimp with salt and black pepper.
- In a large pan, heat the olive oil and 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add the shrimp and cook for about 2 minutes on each side until they turn pink. Remove the shrimp from the pan and set them aside.
- Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter to the same pan. Add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes (if using), and sauté for about 1 minute until the garlic is fragrant.
- Add the halved cherry tomatoes to the pan and cook until soft, approximately 3 minutes.
- Stir in the baby spinach and cook until wilted.
- Pour in chicken or vegetable broth, bringing the mixture to a boil. You can also use water instead of stock, but the broth adds flavor.
- Reduce the heat to low, add the heavy cream, and stir well to combine.
- Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until the sauce is creamy and smooth.
- Add the cooked shrimp back to the pan and toss to coat them in the cream sauce.
- Also, add the cooked pasta to the pan and stir until well combined.
- Garnish Creamy Garlic Shrimp Scampi Pasta with chopped fresh parsley or dill, and serve with lemon wedges.
If you have a fondness for fruit, I wholeheartedly recommend trying this delectable recipe for Creamy Garlic Shrimp Scampi Pasta. It’s a laid-back dish, perfect for casual lunches with friends, offering a delightful treat for your taste buds. Feel free to personalize your experience by selecting your preferred pasta type and adjusting the garlic and other ingredients to suit your taste. Indulge in the pleasure of savoring this creamy pasta with garlic shrimp; the experience is truly worth it!
