Description
Creamy spaghetti with succulent shrimp dances across Italian culinary traditions, offering pure comfort in one delightful plate. Garlic-infused sauce and tender seafood blend seamlessly, inviting you to savor each luxurious bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 1 pound (450 g) large shrimp (peeled and deveined)
Pasta and Base Ingredients:
- 10 ounces (300 g) spaghetti
- 2 tablespoons olive oil or butter
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- ½ cup dry white wine (or chicken broth)
Seasoning and Finishing Ingredients:
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ teaspoon red chili flakes (optional, for heat)
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- Salt (to taste)
- Black pepper (to taste)
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley (chopped, for garnish)
- Water (for boiling)
- Salt (for pasta water)
Instructions
- Fill a spacious pot with water, generously season with salt, and bring to a rolling boil over high heat.
- Carefully lower spaghetti into the bubbling water, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking, and cook until perfectly tender yet firm to the bite.
- Before draining, carefully extract 1/2 cup of starchy pasta water, which will become a crucial element in creating a silky sauce later.
- Drain the spaghetti in a colander, shaking gently to remove excess water, and set aside.
- Pat shrimp dry with paper towels to ensure optimal browning and seasoning absorption.
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high, adding olive oil to create a sizzling cooking surface.
- Sauté shrimp quickly, allowing each piece to develop a golden-brown exterior while maintaining a succulent interior, approximately 2-3 minutes per side.
- Remove shrimp and set aside, keeping them warm to preserve their delicate texture.
- In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium and introduce minced garlic, allowing it to release its aromatic essence without burning.
- Pour in heavy cream, creating a luxurious base for the sauce, and stir continuously to prevent scorching.
- Incorporate reserved pasta water to thin and enhance the sauce’s consistency and flavor profile.
- Season the cream sauce with salt, pepper, and optional herbs like parsley or basil for added complexity.
- Gently fold cooked spaghetti into the cream sauce, ensuring each strand is elegantly coated.
- Return shrimp to the skillet, nestling them among the pasta strands to reheat and meld flavors.
- Serve immediately, garnishing with freshly grated parmesan and a sprinkle of chopped herbs for a vibrant finishing touch.
Notes
- Toast breadcrumbs lightly in a skillet for an extra crunch topping that adds delightful texture to the creamy sauce.
- Choose fresh, high-quality shrimp for the most tender and flavorful result, avoiding frozen or previously thawed options when possible.
- Adjust sauce consistency by adding reserved pasta water gradually if the cream sauce becomes too thick, creating a silky smooth coating for the pasta.
- Consider using gluten-free spaghetti for a celiac-friendly version, ensuring the entire dish remains accessible to those with wheat sensitivities.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 680
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 36 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 60 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 220 mg