Description
Homemade tomato spinach shrimp pasta brings Mediterranean coastal flavors straight to dinner tables with delightful ease. Succulent shrimp nestled among fresh spinach and rich tomato sauce create a quick, elegant meal perfect for weeknight dining.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined
Vegetables:
- 2 cups fresh spinach leaves
- 3 medium tomatoes, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
Pasta and Seasonings:
- 12 oz pasta (penne or linguine)
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 0.5 tsp black pepper
- 0.25 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
- 0.5 cup parmesan cheese, grated
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil and cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente, typically 8-10 minutes.
- While pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering.
- Add minced garlic to the skillet and sauté for 30 seconds, stirring constantly to prevent burning.
- Introduce shrimp to the skillet, cooking for 2-3 minutes on each side until they turn pink and develop a slight golden edge.
- Incorporate diced tomatoes into the skillet, allowing them to soften and release their juices for 2 minutes.
- Gently fold fresh spinach leaves into the mixture, cooking until they wilt and become vibrant green, approximately 1 minute.
- Drain the cooked pasta and transfer it directly into the skillet with the shrimp and vegetable mixture.
- Sprinkle salt, black pepper, and lemon juice over the pasta, tossing everything together to ensure even coating.
- Remove the skillet from heat and garnish with chopped fresh basil leaves.
- Finish the dish by generously sprinkling grated parmesan cheese over the top, creating a creamy and savory finish.
- Serve immediately while hot, ensuring each portion has a balanced mix of shrimp, vegetables, and pasta.
Notes
- Opt for jumbo or large shrimp to ensure substantial, meaty bites that complement the pasta perfectly.
- Toast garlic briefly to release aromatic oils without burning, creating a rich foundational flavor for the entire dish.
- Quickly cook shrimp to maintain tender texture, watching for pink color and slight golden edges as doneness indicators.
- Drain pasta just before al dente stage, allowing it to finish cooking in the skillet and absorb maximum flavor from shrimp and vegetable juices.
- Choose fresh spinach leaves for brighter color and more vibrant nutrients compared to frozen alternatives.
- Add lemon juice at the end to preserve its bright, zesty essence and prevent potential bitterness from overcooking.
- Select high-quality parmesan cheese for enhanced depth and authentic Italian-style seasoning.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 400 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 60 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 200 mg