Description
Shrimp and Angel Hair Pasta is a quick and flavorful seafood pasta dish combining tender shrimp, fresh tomatoes, fragrant basil, and garlic in a light, savory sauce served over delicate angel hair pasta. Perfect for an easy weeknight dinner, this recipe balances vibrant Mediterranean flavors with a creamy touch of butter and Parmesan cheese.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 8-12 ounces angel hair pasta (cooked and drained)
Shrimp and Sauce
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- 6 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 7 medium roma or plum tomatoes (seeded and roughly chopped)
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1 pound medium raw shrimp (peeled and deveined)
- 1 Tablespoon salted butter
- 1/4 cup fresh basil (chopped)
- Salt & pepper (to taste)
To Serve
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Boil Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the angel hair pasta according to package directions until al dente, usually 3-4 minutes. Reserve 1/2 cup of the starchy pasta water before draining the pasta.
- Sauté Garlic and Pepper Flakes: While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the minced garlic and crushed red pepper flakes, cooking for 1 minute while stirring constantly to avoid burning the garlic.
- Simmer Tomatoes: Add the chopped tomatoes, salt, pepper, and chicken broth to the skillet. Bring everything to a gentle simmer and cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally to develop the sauce flavors.
- Cook Shrimp: Nestle the shrimp into the simmering sauce. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes, turning the shrimp halfway through, until they turn pink and are cooked through. Take care not to overcook to keep them tender.
- Add Butter and Basil: Stir in the salted butter and chopped fresh basil until the butter is melted and infused into the sauce. Adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper to taste.
- Toss Pasta and Serve: Add the cooked angel hair pasta to the skillet and toss to coat it thoroughly in the sauce. Add reserved pasta water as needed to loosen the sauce. Serve immediately topped with extra fresh basil and a generous sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan cheese.
Notes
- This dish is a classic Mediterranean-inspired combination of seafood, tomatoes, and fresh herbs that comes together quickly for an easy dinner.
- Make sure not to overcook the shrimp to keep them juicy and tender, usually about 3-4 minutes until pink.
- Serving with crusty bread and a green salad makes a well-rounded and satisfying meal.
- Reserve pasta water because the starch helps bind and moisten the sauce for the best texture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 429
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 977 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 50 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 29 g
- Cholesterol: 161 mg
