If you’re looking for a delicious and satisfying meal, look no further than this recipe for pasta with shrimp. This combination of tender shrimp and al dente pasta is sure to please even the pickiest of eaters. With a few simple ingredients and easy-to-follow instructions, you’ll have a mouthwatering dish on the table in no time.

To start, gather your ingredients: fresh shrimp, pasta of your choice, olive oil, garlic, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. The key to making this dish truly flavorful is to use fresh ingredients, so make sure to purchase fresh shrimp and high-quality pasta. Once you have your ingredients prepped, it’s time to get cooking!

In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook the pasta until it is al dente. While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic and red pepper flakes, and cook until the garlic is fragrant and golden. Be careful not to burn the garlic, as it can quickly turn bitter.

Next, add the shrimp to the skillet and season with salt and pepper. Cook the shrimp until it turns pink and opaque, about 2-3 minutes per side. Remove the shrimp from the skillet and set it aside.

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Once the pasta is cooked, drain it and add it to the skillet with the garlic and red pepper flakes. Toss the pasta in the skillet, allowing it to absorb all of the delicious flavors. Add the cooked shrimp back into the skillet and toss everything together to combine.

Transfer the pasta with shrimp to a serving dish and garnish with a sprinkle of fresh parsley or grated Parmesan cheese. Serve hot and enjoy this delectable and satisfying meal! Whether you’re cooking for a special occasion or simply want to treat yourself to a tasty dinner, this pasta with shrimp recipe is sure to impress.

Preparing the Ingredients

Before you start cooking, make sure you have all the necessary ingredients and prepare them accordingly.

Ingredients:

1 pound of pasta 1 pound of shrimp, peeled and deveined 2 tablespoons of olive oil
4 cloves of garlic, minced 1/2 teaspoon of red pepper flakes 1/2 cup of white wine
1 cup of cherry tomatoes, halved 1/4 cup of chopped fresh parsley Salt and black pepper to taste

First, fill a large pot with water and bring it to a boil. Add a pinch of salt to the boiling water. Once the water is boiling, add the pasta and cook it according to the package instructions until it is al dente. Drain the cooked pasta and set it aside.

Next, prepare the shrimp by removing the shells and deveining them. Rinse the shrimp under cold water and pat them dry with paper towels.

In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes and cook for about 1 minute until the garlic is fragrant.

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Add the shrimp to the skillet and cook for about 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the shrimp turn pink and opaque. Remove the shrimp from the skillet and set them aside.

In the same skillet, pour in the white wine and bring it to a simmer. Cook for about 2 minutes to allow the alcohol to evaporate.

Add the halved cherry tomatoes to the skillet and cook for another 2 minutes until they start to soften.

Return the cooked pasta and shrimp to the skillet. Toss everything together to combine. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.

Finally, garnish the dish with chopped fresh parsley and serve hot.

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Gathering the Necessary Ingredients

Before you begin cooking your pasta with shrimp, it’s important to gather all the necessary ingredients. Here is a list of what you will need:

Ingredients Quantity
Pasta 8 ounces
Shrimp 1 pound
Olive oil 2 tablespoons
Garlic 4 cloves, minced
Tomatoes, diced 2 cups
White wine 1/2 cup
Red pepper flakes 1/2 teaspoon
Salt To taste
Black pepper To taste
Parsley, chopped For garnish

Make sure you have all these ingredients on hand before you begin cooking. Once you have everything ready, you can move on to the next step.

Cleaning and Peeling the Shrimp

Before cooking your pasta with shrimp, it is important to properly clean and peel the shrimp. Follow these steps to prepare your shrimp for cooking:

Ingredients:

  • 1 pound of fresh shrimp
  • Water
  • Salt

Instructions:

  1. Fill a large bowl with cold water.
  2. Add 1 teaspoon of salt to the water and stir until dissolved.
  3. Place the shrimp in the bowl of saltwater and let it sit for a few minutes. This will help remove any dirt or impurities from the shrimp.
  4. Remove the shrimp from the water and rinse under cold running water to wash away any remaining dirt or salt.
  5. Pat the shrimp dry with paper towels.
  6. To peel the shrimp, hold the body with one hand and gently twist off the head with the other hand.
  7. Using your thumb and forefinger, peel off the shell starting from the body and working towards the tail.
  8. If desired, you can leave the tail intact for presentation purposes or remove it by gently pinching and pulling it off.
  9. Once peeled, rinse the shrimp again under cold running water to remove any shell fragments.

Now that your shrimp are properly cleaned and peeled, you are ready to proceed with the next steps in cooking your delicious pasta dish with shrimp.

Cooking the Pasta

1. Fill a large pot with water and add a generous amount of salt. Bring the water to a boil over high heat.

2. Once the water is boiling, add the pasta. Stir occasionally to prevent the pasta from sticking together.

3. Cook the pasta according to the instructions on the package. Different types and brands of pasta may have varying cooking times, so it’s best to follow the instructions provided.

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4. While the pasta is cooking, prepare an ice bath by filling a large bowl with cold water and ice cubes. This will be used to cool down the pasta quickly once it’s cooked.

5. After the pasta is cooked to al dente (firm to the bite), carefully drain it in a colander or use tongs to transfer it to the ice bath. This will stop the cooking process and help prevent the pasta from becoming overcooked.

6. Let the pasta sit in the ice bath for a few minutes, then drain well.

7. Drizzle the pasta with a bit of olive oil to prevent it from sticking together.

8. The pasta is now ready to be used in your shrimp pasta dish. It can be added directly to the sauce or served separately.

Boiling Water and Cooking the Pasta

1. Fill a large pot with water and place it on high heat. It’s important to use a large pot to allow enough space for the pasta to cook evenly and to prevent it from sticking together.

2. Add salt to the water. For 4 liters (1 gallon) of water, use about 2 tablespoons of salt. This will enhance the flavor of the pasta.

3. Bring the water to a rolling boil. This means that large bubbles are rapidly rising to the surface of the water.

4. Add the pasta to the boiling water. Stir it immediately after adding to prevent it from sticking together.

5. Cook the pasta according to the package instructions. Different types and brands of pasta may have different cooking times, so it’s important to follow the instructions on the package for the best results.

6. While the pasta is cooking, prepare the shrimp and any other ingredients for the dish.

7. Once the pasta is al dente, which means it is cooked but still firm to the bite, drain it in a colander.

8. Rinse the pasta with cold water to stop the cooking process and remove any excess starch.

9. The pasta is now ready to be added to the shrimp and sauce mixture to complete the dish.

Draining the Pasta

Once the pasta is cooked to your desired tenderness and has absorbed enough water, it’s time to drain the pasta. Follow these steps to drain the pasta properly:

  1. Place a colander in the sink.
  2. Using oven mitts or a potholder, carefully remove the pot from the stove.
  3. Pour the contents of the pot into the colander. Be cautious of the hot steam and water.
  4. Gently shake the colander to remove any excess water from the pasta.
  5. Leave the pasta in the colander for a few seconds to allow more water to drain.
  6. After draining, transfer the pasta back to the pot or to a serving dish to be mixed with the shrimp and sauce.
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Remember not to rinse the pasta with water after draining, as it removes the starch that helps the sauce cling to the pasta.

Preparing the Shrimp

Before you start cooking your pasta with shrimp, you’ll need to prep the shrimp. Follow these steps to prepare the shrimp:

1. Defrost the Shrimp

If you’re using frozen shrimp, make sure to defrost them first. You can do this by placing the shrimp in a colander and rinsing them under cold water until they are no longer frozen. Alternatively, you can also defrost the shrimp in the refrigerator overnight.

2. Peel and Devein the Shrimp

Once the shrimp are defrosted, it’s time to peel and devein them. To peel the shrimp, hold onto the body and gently pull off the shell, starting from the head end. Next, use a small paring knife to make a shallow incision along the back of the shrimp to expose the dark vein. Carefully remove the vein using the tip of the knife or your fingers.

3. Rinse and Pat Dry

After peeling and deveining the shrimp, give them a quick rinse under cold water to remove any residual shell or vein. Then, use a paper towel to pat dry the shrimp. Removing excess moisture will help the shrimp cook more evenly and develop a better sear.

Now that you’ve prepared the shrimp, you’re ready to move on to the next step in cooking your delicious pasta with shrimp!

FAQ

How do I prepare the shrimp for the pasta dish?

To prepare the shrimp for the pasta dish, start by peeling and deveining the shrimp. You can leave the tails on or remove them, depending on your preference. Once the shrimp are prepared, pat them dry with a paper towel and season them with salt and pepper.

How long should I cook the shrimp for?

The cooking time for the shrimp depends on the size of the shrimp. In general, you will want to cook the shrimp for about 2-3 minutes per side, or until they are pink and opaque. Be careful not to overcook them, as they can become rubbery.

Can I use a different type of pasta for this recipe?

Yes, you can use a different type of pasta for this recipe. Linguine or fettuccine work well, but you can also use spaghetti or penne if you prefer. Choose a pasta shape that you enjoy and cook it according to the package instructions.

What can I substitute for white wine if I don’t have any?

If you don’t have white wine, you can substitute it with chicken broth or vegetable broth. The wine adds a nice depth of flavor, but the dish will still be delicious without it. You can also add a splash of lemon juice for some acidity if desired.