Festive Light Pasta with Shrimp
A shimmering pasta dish inspired by holiday lights, featuring succulent shrimp, sun-kissed cherry tomatoes, and a glowing garlic-herb sauce. This italian-inspired pasta ready in about 30 minutes pairs cooked pasta, peeled and deveined shrimp, pint, halved cherry tomatoes for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 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, cooked pasta
- 1 lb, peeled and deveined shrimp
- 1 pint, halved cherry tomatoes
- 4 cloves, minced garlic
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 cup, chopped fresh basil
- 1 tbsp lemon zest
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/4 cup white wine
Instructions
- Step 1: Cook the pasta according to package instructions, reserving 1/2 cup of pasta water before draining.
- Step 2: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the shrimp and sauté for 2-3 minutes until pink and opaque, then remove and set aside.
- Step 3: In the same skillet, add the cherry tomatoes, garlic, and lemon zest. Sauté for 5 minutes until the tomatoes soften and release their juices.
- Step 4: Stir in the cooked pasta, reserved pasta water, and white wine. Cook for 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the pasta.
- Step 5: Return the shrimp to the skillet, toss to combine, and garnish with fresh basil before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Festive Light Pasta with Shrimp take to make?
Total time is about 30 minutes (20 min prep + 10 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 Festive Light Pasta with Shrimp?
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 cooked pasta from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Festive Light Pasta with Shrimp?
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 Festive Light Pasta with Shrimp 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 Festive Light Pasta with Shrimp?
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
- ★★★★★
Used frozen vegetables instead of fresh and honestly couldn't tell the difference.
- ★★★★★
Doubled the garlic (as one does) and it was amazing.
- ★★★★☆
My family liked it. I personally would prefer more depth of flavor.
