Description
Delicious creamy basil shrimp penne brings Mediterranean flavors to dinner tables with ease. Quick pasta dishes offer simple elegance for home cooks seeking restaurant-quality meals you can prepare in minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (453 g) shrimp, deveined and shells removed
- 8 oz (226 g) penne pasta (use gluten-free brown rice pasta for a gluten-free version)
- 1 cup half and half
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (use pre-shredded Mozzarella, not fresh)
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 4 oz (113 g) sun-dried tomatoes, without oil
- 2 tbsps olive oil (preferably from sun-dried tomatoes jar)
- ½ cup reserved cooked pasta water (or more, as needed)
- 1 tbsp dried basil (use more if fresh)
- ¼ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp crushed red pepper flakes, add more to taste
- 1/8 tsp paprika
- Additional ¼ tsp salt (or to taste)
Instructions
- Pasta Preparation: Submerge penne in vigorously boiling water according to package instructions. Carefully extract a portion of starchy liquid before draining and set pasta aside.
- Shrimp Searing: Heat olive oil in a generously sized skillet over high temperature. Add shrimp with half the garlic, cooking until transforming to a delicate pink. Sprinkle salt, quickly rotating each piece to achieve a golden exterior. Transfer shrimp, preserving the aromatic oil in the pan.
- Sauce Crafting: Within the same skillet, toast sun-dried tomatoes and remaining garlic until fragrant. Pour half and half, bringing to a gentle simmer. Whisk in mozzarella until achieving a luxurious, smooth texture. Adjust sauce consistency using reserved liquid or additional cream. Incorporate dried basil, red pepper flakes, and paprika. Season with salt to elevate flavor profile.
- Final Fusion: Gently fold pasta into the creamy sauce, reheating and ensuring complete coverage. Reintegrate seared shrimp, allowing ingredients to meld and temperature to harmonize. Modulate sauce thickness by gradually introducing reserved liquid, maintaining a sumptuous consistency.
Notes
- Preserve Pasta Water: Starchy liquid acts as a secret weapon to adjust sauce consistency and add depth to your creamy basil shrimp penne.
- Sear Shrimp Perfectly: Cook quickly on high heat to achieve a golden exterior without overcooking, ensuring tender and juicy seafood.
- Balance Sauce Texture: Gradually add reserved pasta water or cream to create a silky, luxurious sauce that clings beautifully to the pasta.
- Enhance Flavor Layers: Toast garlic and sun-dried tomatoes to release their aromatic oils, intensifying the overall taste profile of the dish.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 514
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 420 mg
- Fat: 23 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 54 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 24 g
- Cholesterol: 190 mg