Description
Creamy spaghetti with shrimp in a luxurious sauce promises pure Italian coastal comfort. Classic ingredients blend seamlessly, delivering rich flavors that transport diners directly to Mediterranean shores.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (450 g) shrimp (large, peeled and deveined)
- 10 oz (300 g) spaghetti
- 2 tbsps olive oil or butter
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- ½ cup dry white wine (or chicken broth)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese (grated)
- ½ tsp red chili flakes (optional, for heat)
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- 2 tbsps parsley (fresh, chopped, for garnish)
- Salt (to taste)
- Black pepper (to taste)
- Water (for boiling)
- Salt (for pasta water)
Instructions
- Pasta Preparation: Bring a large pot of salted water to a vigorous boil, then cook spaghetti until al dente, stirring intermittently to prevent clumping. Reserve 1/2 cup of starchy pasta water before draining.
- Shrimp Searing: Thoroughly dry shrimp and season. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat, quickly sauté shrimp until golden and just cooked through, about 2-3 minutes per side. Transfer to a warm plate.
- Sauce Creation: Reduce skillet heat to medium, sauté minced garlic until fragrant. Pour in heavy cream, blending with reserved pasta water to create a silky, luxurious sauce. Season with salt, pepper, and optional herbs like parsley or basil.
- Final Assembly: Toss cooked spaghetti in the cream sauce, ensuring complete coverage. Reintroduce seared shrimp to the skillet, gently warming and integrating flavors. Plate immediately and garnish with freshly grated parmesan and chopped herbs for a vibrant presentation.
Notes
- Manage Moisture for Shrimp: Pat shrimp completely dry to achieve perfect golden-brown sear and prevent steaming instead of browning.
- Control Pasta Texture: Cook spaghetti al dente, reserving starchy pasta water to create silky, clingy sauce that perfectly coats noodles.
- Balance Sauce Consistency: Gradually add reserved pasta water to cream sauce, adjusting thickness without compromising rich, creamy flavor.
- Prevent Overcooking Seafood: Sauté shrimp quickly at high heat for 2-3 minutes maximum, removing immediately to maintain tender, succulent texture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 640
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 70 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 150 mg