Shrimp and Angel Hair Pasta
User Reviews
4.9
Shrimp and Angel Hair Pasta
Description
The recipe for Shrimp and Angel Hair Pasta uses medium raw shrimp cooked gently in a skillet to avoid toughness, infused with garlic, crushed red pepper flakes, and fresh basil. The sauce is built from sautéed garlic and tomatoes simmered in chicken broth, developing a savory, slightly spicy flavor. Using angel hair pasta complements the sauce's lightness due to its thin strands and quick cooking time. The addition of butter enriches the dish and helps meld flavors, while grated Parmesan is served on the side to add a savory finish.
This dish suits a straightforward dinner when you want seafood with a fresh vegetable element. It pairs well with a simple green salad or steamed vegetables for a complete meal. Controlling the cooking time of shrimp is key to maintaining their tender texture while achieving a flavorful sauce.
Practical notes include reserving some pasta cooking water to adjust sauce consistency and substituting chicken broth with white wine if desired. Alternatively, chicken or vegetables can replace shrimp, and other pasta types like spaghetti or fettuccine may be used with adjustment of cooking time.
Ingredients
- 8-12 ounces angel hair pasta cooked and drained
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- 6 cloves garlic minced
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes crushed
- 7 Roma tomatoes seeded and roughly chopped, medium; or plum tomatoes
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1 pound medium raw shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 Tablespoon butter salted
- 1/4 cup basil chopped, fresh
- salt to taste
- black pepper to taste
- 1/2 cup Parmesan Cheese for serving, freshly grated
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly to prevent the garlic from burning.
- Add the diced tomatoes, salt, pepper, and white wine or chicken broth (I just used the broth). Bring everything to a simmer for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- While the sauce simmers, cook the pasta according to the package directions until al dente (typically 3-4 minutes). Reserve about 1/2 cup of the starchy pasta water, then drain the pasta.
- Add the shrimp to the skillet and nestle them in the sauce. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes, turning the shrimp halfway through, until the shrimp turns pink. Be sure not to overcook the shrimp though or they will be tough and rubbery.
- Add butter and basil, and stir until the butter melts. Taste the sauce and add salt and pepper, as needed.
- Add the cooked pasta to the pan and toss to coat. Add as much of the reserved pasta water as you would like to moisten the pasta if needed, then serve with additional chopped basil and the parmesan cheese sprinkled on top.
Notes
- Cook shrimp only until they turn pink to keep them tender and avoid toughness.
- Reserve some pasta water before draining to adjust sauce texture when mixing with pasta.
- You can replace shrimp with cooked chicken or vegetables such as bell peppers or mushrooms for variation.
- Substitute the chicken broth with white wine for an alternative flavor profile in the sauce.
- Angel hair pasta works best due to its thinness but spaghetti or fettuccine are suitable with adjusted cooking times.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 4servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 429 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 429kcal | 21% |
| Carbohydrates | 50g | 17% |
| Protein | 29g | 58% |
| Fat | 12g | 18% |
| Saturated Fat | 5g | 25% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1g | 6% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 5g | 25% |
| Trans Fat | 1g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 161mg | 54% |
| Sodium | 977mg | 41% |
| Potassium | 577mg | 12% |
| Fiber | 3g | 12% |
| Sugar | 5g | 10% |
| Vitamin A | 1421IU | 28% |
| Vitamin C | 19mg | 21% |
| Calcium | 236mg | 24% |
| Iron | 2mg | 11% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.9
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