Best of Italy: Garlic Shrimp Pasta
A rich and flavorful pasta dish with succulent shrimp, garlic, and a touch of Parmesan, perfect for a quick yet impressive meal. This italian-inspired pasta ready in about 40 minutes pairs spaghetti, (peeled and deveined) shrimp, olive oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 400 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 12 oz spaghetti
- 1 lb (peeled and deveined) shrimp
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp butter
- 4 cloves (minced) garlic
- 1/2 cup white wine
- 1 cup (halved) cherry tomatoes
- 2 tbsp (chopped) fresh parsley
- 1/4 cup (grated) Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add 12 oz spaghetti and cook for 8-10 minutes until al dente, then drain and reserve 1/2 cup pasta water.
- Step 2: Heat 3 tbsp olive oil and 2 tbsp butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant — do not let it brown.
- Step 3: Add 1 lb shrimp and cook for 2-3 minutes until pink and opaque. Pour in 1/2 cup white wine and let simmer for 2 minutes to deglaze the pan.
- Step 4: Stir in 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes and cook for 5 minutes until softened. Add the cooked pasta, 1/4 cup Parmesan, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Toss until the sauce thickens and coats the pasta, adding reserved pasta water as needed.
- Step 5: Garnish with 2 tbsp chopped parsley and serve immediately, drizzled with extra olive oil if desired.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Best of Italy: Garlic Shrimp Pasta take to make?
Total time is about 40 minutes (15 min prep + 25 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Best of Italy: Garlic Shrimp Pasta?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep spaghetti from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Best of Italy: Garlic Shrimp Pasta?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Best of Italy: Garlic Shrimp Pasta for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Best of Italy: Garlic Shrimp Pasta?
Italian pasta like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★☆
Good flavors but the sauce was a bit thin. I'd reduce it longer.
- ★★★★☆
Enjoyable meal. Instructions could be a touch more detailed on the timing.
- ★★★★☆
Nice recipe! Presentation was beautiful. Flavor was good, not great.
