6 Easy Dinners With Shrimp and Pasta
Shrimp cooks in about 3 minutes, which makes shrimp pasta one of the fastest dinners around. These six use pantry basics and most take 15 to 25 minutes.
1. Garlic butter shrimp pasta
Time: 20 min · Also need: butter, garlic, parmesan, lemon
Simple ingredients, big flavor, ready in 20 minutes.
Cook 12 oz spaghetti. Save ½ cup pasta water.
Melt 4 tbsp butter, add 4 garlic cloves and 1 lb peeled shrimp. Cook 2 minutes per side until pink.
Toss with the pasta, a squeeze of lemon, parmesan and a splash of pasta water.
Frozen shrimp thaws in 10 minutes in a bowl of cold water.
2. Shrimp scampi
Time: 20 min · Also need: butter, garlic, lemon, broth or white wine
The restaurant classic made at home.
Cook 12 oz linguine.
Cook 1 lb shrimp in butter and olive oil 2 minutes a side and set aside.
Add 4 garlic cloves, ½ cup broth or wine and the juice of a lemon. Simmer 2 minutes, add the shrimp and toss with pasta.
A pinch of red pepper flakes adds gentle heat.
3. Creamy Cajun shrimp pasta
Time: 25 min · Also need: Cajun seasoning, cream, parmesan, bell pepper
Rich and a little spicy.
Cook 12 oz penne.
Toss 1 lb shrimp in 2 tsp Cajun seasoning and cook 2 minutes a side. Set aside.
Cook a sliced pepper, add 1 cup cream and ½ cup parmesan, simmer 2 minutes, then toss with the pasta and shrimp.
Use less seasoning for kids.
4. Shrimp alfredo
Time: 20 min · Also need: fettuccine, butter, cream, parmesan
Creamy alfredo with sweet shrimp.
Cook 12 oz fettuccine.
Cook 1 lb shrimp in butter 2 minutes a side and set aside.
Add 1½ cups cream to the pan, simmer 3 minutes, stir in 1 cup parmesan, then toss with pasta and shrimp.
Steamed broccoli tossed in makes it a full meal.
5. Shrimp and tomato pasta
Time: 20 min · Also need: a can of diced tomatoes, garlic, spinach
Light, bright and full of color.
Cook 12 oz pasta.
Cook 3 garlic cloves in olive oil, add a can of diced tomatoes and simmer 5 minutes.
Add 1 lb shrimp and cook 3 to 4 minutes until pink. Stir in spinach and toss with the pasta.
Finish with parmesan or feta.
6. Lemon shrimp orzo
Time: 20 min · Also need: orzo, broth, lemon, peas or spinach
Orzo cooks like rice in one pan and soaks up all the flavor.
Toast 1½ cups orzo in butter, then add 3 cups broth. Simmer about 10 minutes, stirring.
Nestle in 1 lb shrimp and a cup of peas. Cover 3 to 4 minutes until the shrimp is pink.
Stir in lemon zest, lemon juice and parmesan.
Leftovers are great cold as a salad.
Quick answers
How do I know shrimp is cooked?
Shrimp is done when it turns pink and opaque and curls into a loose C shape, usually 2 to 3 minutes per side. A tight O means overcooked.
Raw or precooked shrimp?
Raw shrimp gives the best texture. Precooked shrimp only needs to be warmed, about a minute, or it turns rubbery.
How do I thaw frozen shrimp quickly?
Put it in a colander under cold running water, or in a bowl of cold water for about 10 minutes.
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