Rustic Italian Shrimp Linguine with Garlic and Cherry Tomatoes
A vibrant Italian seafood pasta featuring succulent shrimp sautéed with garlic and sweet cherry tomatoes, tossed with linguine in a light olive oil and herb sauce. This italian-inspired pasta ready in about 25 minutes pairs linguine pasta, peeled and deveined large shrimp, olive oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 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 linguine pasta
- 1 lb, peeled and deveined large shrimp
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 4 cloves, thinly sliced garlic cloves
- 1 pint (about 12 oz), halved cherry tomatoes
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1/4 cup, chopped fresh basil leaves
- to taste salt
- to taste black pepper
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1/2 cup, grated (optional) parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 oz linguine pasta and cook for 9 minutes until al dente. Drain, reserving 1/2 cup pasta water.
- Step 2: While pasta cooks, heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 4 thinly sliced garlic cloves and 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes, sauté for 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
- Step 3: Add 1 pint halved cherry tomatoes to the skillet, cook for 4 minutes until they soften and release juices.
- Step 4: Increase heat to medium-high, add 1 lb peeled shrimp to the skillet, season with salt and black pepper. Cook for 2-3 minutes per side until shrimp turn pink and opaque.
- Step 5: Add drained linguine and 1/2 cup reserved pasta water to the skillet along with 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice and 1/4 cup chopped basil. Toss everything together for 1-2 minutes until well combined and heated through.
- Step 6: Serve immediately, optionally garnished with 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Rustic Italian Shrimp Linguine with Garlic and Cherry Tomatoes take to make?
Total time is about 25 minutes (10 min prep + 15 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 Rustic Italian Shrimp Linguine with Garlic and Cherry Tomatoes?
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 linguine pasta from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Rustic Italian Shrimp Linguine with Garlic and Cherry Tomatoes?
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 Rustic Italian Shrimp Linguine with Garlic and Cherry Tomatoes 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 Rustic Italian Shrimp Linguine with Garlic and Cherry Tomatoes?
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.
