Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Fresh Ingredients: Utilizes fresh tomatoes and spinach, preserving their natural flavors and nutrients.
- Flavorful Shrimp: Seasoned with paprika and crushed red pepper, the shrimp adds a rich and slightly spicy element.
- Comforting Sauce: The garlic butter sauce provides a comforting and refreshing taste that complements the other ingredients perfectly.
- Quick and Easy: This recipe is straightforward and can be prepared in a short amount of time, making it ideal for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
- 1 lb fresh shrimp, uncooked, shelled, and deveined
- 5 medium-sized fresh tomatoes, chopped into large cubes
- 1 cup cooked spinach
- 5 garlic cloves, minced
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ¼ lemon
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper (or more, to taste)
- ¼ teaspoon paprika
- 10 oz fettuccine pasta
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese (for serving)
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
Directions
- Sauté Shrimp: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 tablespoon of butter and 1 tablespoon of olive oil until melted. Add the fresh shrimp and half of the minced garlic. Ensure the shrimp is not crowded in the skillet. Cook for 1 minute on one side until pink. While cooking, generously sprinkle paprika and salt over the uncooked side of the shrimp. Flip the shrimp and cook for another 1 to 2 minutes until pink on the other side.
- Add Vegetables: To the skillet with shrimp, add the chopped fresh tomatoes, cooked spinach, and the remaining minced garlic. Add ½ teaspoon of crushed red pepper (or more, if desired). Mix everything well and remove from heat while you cook the pasta.
- Cook Pasta: In the meantime, cook the fettuccine pasta according to the package instructions. Drain and rinse with cold water to prevent the pasta from cooking further and becoming mushy.
- Combine and Serve: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet with shrimp and vegetables, along with 1 or 2 tablespoons of butter. Squeeze freshly squeezed lemon juice over the mixture. Depending on the juiciness of your lemon, this could be from ¼ to ½ of a small lemon. Be cautious not to add too much lemon juice. Season with salt and more crushed red pepper to taste. Warm the mixture over medium heat until the shrimp is cooked through and all ingredients are heated. To serve, top with grated Parmesan cheese.
Servings and Timing
- Servings: This recipe yields approximately 4 servings.
- Preparation Time: About 20 minutes.
- Cooking Time: Approximately 30 minutes.
- Total Time: Around 50 minutes.
Variations
- Protein Alternatives: Substitute shrimp with chicken or scallops for a different protein option.
- Vegetable Additions: Incorporate other vegetables like bell peppers, mushrooms, or zucchini to enhance the dish’s nutritional value and flavor.
- Spice Level: Adjust the amount of crushed red pepper to make the dish spicier or milder, according to your preference.
- Pasta Choices: Use different types of pasta such as linguine, spaghetti, or penne to suit your taste or what you have on hand.
Storage/Reheating
- Storage: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheating: Reheat the pasta gently in a skillet over medium heat. Add a small amount of butter or olive oil to prevent sticking and to refresh the sauce. Stir occasionally until heated through. Alternatively, you can reheat it in the microwave, covered, in short intervals, stirring in between to ensure even heating.
FAQs
How can I tell if the shrimp is cooked properly?
Shrimp is cooked when it turns pink and opaque. Be careful not to overcook it, as it can become tough and rubbery.
Can I use frozen shrimp for this recipe?
Yes, you can use frozen shrimp. Ensure they are fully thawed and patted dry before cooking to prevent excess moisture in the skillet.
Is it necessary to rinse the pasta after cooking?
Rinsing the pasta with cold water after cooking stops the cooking process and prevents it from becoming mushy, especially if you’re not combining it with the sauce immediately.
Can I make this dish ahead of time?
While it’s best enjoyed fresh, you can prepare components ahead of time. Cook the shrimp and vegetables, and store them separately from the pasta. Combine and reheat them together just before serving.
What type of tomatoes work best for this recipe?
Fresh, medium-sized tomatoes chopped into large cubes are ideal. However, cherry or grape tomatoes can also be used; simply adjust the quantity accordingly.
How can I make this dish gluten-free?
To make this dish gluten-free, substitute the fettuccine with your favorite gluten-free pasta.
Can I add cheese other than Parmesan?
Yes, other cheeses like Pecorino Romano or Asiago can be used to top the pasta, offering different flavor profiles.
Shrimp Tomato Spinach Pasta in Garlic Butter Sauc
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
Description
This Shrimp Tomato Spinach Pasta in Garlic Butter Sauce is a quick and flavorful Italian-inspired dish featuring succulent shrimp, fresh tomatoes, and spinach tossed in a rich garlic butter sauce. Perfect for weeknight dinners, this easy shrimp pasta is packed with savory flavors and ready in under an hour!
Ingredients
- 1 lb fresh shrimp, uncooked, shelled, and deveined
- 5 medium-sized fresh tomatoes, chopped into large cubes
- 1 cup cooked spinach
- 5 garlic cloves, minced
- 4 tbsp butter
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- ¼ lemon
- ¼ tsp salt
- ½ tsp crushed red pepper (or more, to taste)
- ¼ tsp paprika
- 10 oz fettuccine pasta
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese (for serving)
Instructions
- Sauté Shrimp
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 tbsp butter and 1 tbsp olive oil.
- Add shrimp and half of the minced garlic. Cook for 1 minute on one side until pink.
- Sprinkle paprika and salt over the uncooked side. Flip shrimp and cook for another 1-2 minutes.
- Add Vegetables
- To the skillet, add chopped tomatoes, cooked spinach, and the remaining garlic.
- Add ½ tsp crushed red pepper (adjust to taste). Mix well and remove from heat.
- Cook Pasta
- Cook fettuccine pasta according to package instructions.
- Drain and rinse with cold water to prevent overcooking.
- Combine & Serve
- Add cooked pasta to the skillet with shrimp and vegetables.
- Stir in 1-2 tbsp butter and squeeze fresh lemon juice over the dish.
- Season with salt and crushed red pepper to taste.
- Heat everything together for a few minutes.
- Serve warm, topped with grated Parmesan cheese.
Notes
- Protein Swap: Replace shrimp with chicken or scallops.
- Vegetable Boost: Add bell peppers, mushrooms, or zucchini.
- Spice Control: Adjust crushed red pepper to taste.
- Pasta Variations: Try linguine, spaghetti, or penne.
- Storage: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheating: Reheat in a skillet with butter/olive oil or in the microwave in short intervals.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
