Description
Succulent basil shrimp penne promises a Mediterranean coastal escape on your dinner plate. Robust pasta intertwines with juicy shrimp, creating a luxurious dish that whisks you straight to Italian seaside comfort.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 pound shrimp, deveined and shells removed
Carbohydrates:
- 8 ounces (226 grams) penne pasta (use gluten-free brown rice pasta for a gluten-free version)
Dairy and Cheese:
- 1 cup half and half
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (use pre-shredded Mozzarella, not fresh)
Herbs and Spices:
- 1 tablespoon dried basil (use more if fresh)
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, add more to taste
- 1/8 teaspoon paprika
Additional Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (preferably from sun-dried tomatoes jar)
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 4 ounces (113 grams) sun-dried tomatoes, without oil
- ½ cup reserved cooked pasta water (or more, as needed)
- Additional ¼ teaspoon salt (or to taste)
Instructions
- Immerse the penne in boiling water, following package guidelines. Carefully extract and preserve a portion of the starchy liquid before draining. Set pasta aside.
- Warm olive oil in a spacious skillet over robust heat. Introduce shrimp with half the garlic, searing until they transform into a delicate pink hue. Sprinkle a touch of salt, then swiftly flip each morsel. Cook briefly until achieving a golden exterior. Relocate shrimp, retaining the residual oil.
- Utilize the same skillet to toast sun-dried tomatoes and remaining garlic until aromatic. Stream half and half into the pan, escalating to a gentle bubble. Incorporate mozzarella, whisking until achieving a silky consistency. Modulate sauce density using reserved liquid or additional cream. Weave in dried basil, red pepper flakes, and paprika. Season judiciously with salt.
- Cascade pasta into the velvety sauce, tenderly reheating while ensuring uniform coating. Reintroduce shrimp, allowing ingredients to harmonize and temperature to equalize. If sauce appears dense, incrementally introduce reserved liquid to maintain luxurious texture.
Notes
- Customize heat levels by adjusting red pepper flakes for mild or spicy preferences.
- Reserve pasta water as a secret weapon to control sauce consistency and prevent dryness.
- Quick-cooking shrimp demands precise timing to maintain tender, juicy texture without overcooking.
- Mozzarella melts smoothly, creating a luxurious, silky sauce that clings perfectly to penne pasta.
- Sun-dried tomatoes bring intense, concentrated flavor bursts that complement the creamy sauce.
- Fresh basil can replace dried herbs for a more vibrant, aromatic final touch to the dish.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 610
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 850 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 62 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 220 mg