Easy Shrimp Scampi Spaghetti
This easy Shrimp Scampi Spaghetti is an absolutely delicious pasta recipe that has the right balance of savory, tangy and creamy flavors.
It is the perfect recipe to try when you’re looking for an easy weeknight dinner that packs in veggies, carbs and protein. With lots of summer produce and delicious, tender shrimp, this has to be the best shrimp scampi recipe ever.
Contents
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Simple: The simplicity of the recipe and its perfect savory flavors are a total hit in my household.
- Kids Love It: I’m actually making this for dinner tonight, and I’m pretty sure once you give it a try, it’ll become a favorite family dinner in your household too.
Recipe Ingredients
To make the shrimp scampi spaghetti, here’s what you’ll need.
- Spaghetti: The base of the dish, provides a platform for the sauce and shrimp.
- Raw Shrimp: The star ingredient, adding a delicious seafood flavor.
- Cherry Tomatoes: Offer a tangy contrast to the rich sauce.
- Fresh Spinach: Boosts the dish’s nutritional value and adds color.
- Heavy Cream: Infuses the dish with a rich, creamy texture.
- Onion: Deepens the flavor profile with its savory notes.
- Garlic: Enhances the dish’s overall flavor with its aromatic presence.
- Green Pesto: Serves as a flavorful sauce base, lending a herby punch.
- Parmesan Cheese: Adds a salty, nutty finish to the scampi.
- Seasonings: Salt and pepper fine-tune and balance the dish’s flavors.
How to Make Shrimp Scampi Spaghetti
Once you have all your ingredients ready, here’s what you’ll need to do to make the shrimp pasta.
Step 1: Cook the Pasta. Reserve Some of the Pasta Water.
Cook the pasta in a large pot according to the package instructions until al dente.
Step 2: Prep the Veggies
Wash all your produce. Dice the onion. Mince the garlic. Half the cherry tomatoes.
Step 3: Cook the Veggies
In a large pan, heat olive oil, add diced onions and cook for about 3-5 minutes on medium heat, or until lightly browned. Then add garlic and cook for another minute, or until fragrant, stirring occasionally.
Step 4: Add Shrimp and Season
Add the peeled shrimp and cook for about 5 minutes, or until light pink. Season with salt and pepper.
Step 5: Add Pesto, Cream and Let Simmer
Then add the pesto, stir until well combined. Add the heavy cream, stir, and let simmer for a few more minutes.
Step 6: Add Tomatoes & Spinach
Then add the diced cherry tomatoes. Let simmer for 2 minutes on medium high heat. Then add the spinach, cook for 3 more minutes, and remove from heat.
Step 7: Combine Everything and Top with Parmesan Cheese
Mix the cooked spaghetti in the sauce and divide over 4 serving bowls. Top with parmesan cheese and serve immediately.
Cooking Tips
Think you’re ready to try out the shrimp scampi spaghetti recipe? Wait up! You might want to keep these little tips and tricks in mind too.
- When cooking the pasta, I would highly recommend reserving about a cup of pasta water to add to the sauce.
- To add extra flavor and deliciousness to the pasta, you can use chicken broth instead of salted water to cook the pasta.
- I’ve used regular salt to season the dish, but remember to taste the dish and adjust seasoning before you serve.
- You can also choose to use kosher salt for the boiling salted water before you add pasta into it.
- I would highly recommend using extra virgin olive oil for this recipe. It really adds that extra flavor to the garlicky sauce.
- Red pepper flakes, lemon juice and some lemon zest can also be wonderful additions to the shrimp scampi pasta. The lemon juice helps tenderize the cooked shrimp and lends a beautiful lemon flavor which balances out the heat from the red pepper flakes.
- To bring some rich flavors to the dish, you can use garlic butter instead of olive oil. Don’t forget a dahs of Italian seasoning and some chopped freshly parsley as well.
- You can also skip adding the cream and turn it into a nice garlic shrimp dish instead.
Variations
- Remember that succulent shrimp and long pasta form the basic ingredients for this pasta dish. You can
- You can also add some Italian seasoning into the pasta sauce if you want to.
- Don’t forget to top the pasta dish with some chopped fresh parsley and crushed red pepper flakes to add a nice touch of freshness.
- You can also serve the shrimp scampi spaghetti pasta with some lemon wedges on the side.
Storage Instructions
- Fridge: Your leftover shrimp scampi spaghetti can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2-3 days.
- Reheat: I would recommend reheating the pasta in the microwave or on low heat over the stovetop with a little water to keep it nice and saucy.
What To Serve With This Recipe?
Shrimp scampi is a classic dish bursting with flavor, so it’s wonderful to pair it with sides that complement its savory and tangy profile. Here are some delicious options:
- Garlic Bread: Serve garlic bread on the side to soak up the delicious sauce from the shrimp scampi. You can use crusty Italian bread or baguette slices, brushed with garlic-infused butter and toasted until golden brown.
- Steamed Vegetables: Steam a medley of vegetables such as broccoli, asparagus, and carrots to add freshness and color to the meal. Season them lightly with salt and pepper, or drizzle with a squeeze of lemon juice for extra zing.
- Caesar Salad: A classic Caesar salad with crisp romaine lettuce, garlic croutons, and tangy Caesar dressing is a great complement to shrimp scampi. The crunchy texture and bold flavors of the salad provide a nice contrast to the richness of the dish.
- Bruschetta: Serve some tomato bruschetta as an appetizer or side dish. Top toasted bread slices with a mixture of diced tomatoes, garlic, basil, olive oil, and balsamic vinegar for a burst of
Easy Shrimp Scampi Spaghetti
This delicious shrimp scampi recipe is super tasty, easy to cook and packed with vitamins and minerals for a healthy family meal
Ingredients
- 1 lbs spaghetti
- 1 lbs raw shrimp, peeled and divined
- 1 pint cherry tomato
- 4 oz fresh spinach
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 onion
- 1 head of garlic
- 2 tbsp green pesto
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Cook the pasta in a large pot according to the package instructions until al dente.
- Wash all your produce. Dice the onion. Mince the garlic. Half the cherry tomatoes.
- In a large pan, heat olive oil, add diced onions and cook for about 3-5 minutes on medium heat, or until lightly browned.
- Then add garlic and cook for another minute, or until fragrant, stirring occasionally.
- Add the peeled shrimp and cook for about 5 minutes, or until light pink. Season with salt and pepper.
- Add the pesto, stir until well combined. Add the heavy cream, stir, and let simmer for a few more minutes.
- Add the diced cherry tomatoes. Let simmer for 2 minutes on medium high heat. Then add the spinach, cook for 3 more minutes, and remove from heat.
- Mix the cooked spaghetti in the sauce and divide over 4 serving bowls. Top with parmesan cheese and serve immediately.
Notes
To add extra flavor and deliciousness to the pasta, you can use chicken broth instead of salted water to cook the pasta.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 534Total Fat: 27gSaturated Fat: 15gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 10gCholesterol: 211mgSodium: 907mgCarbohydrates: 47gFiber: 4gSugar: 7gProtein: 27g
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