Description
Creamy Tuscan Shrimp Linguine brings Mediterranean coastal charm straight to kitchen tables with rich, luxurious flavors. Parmesan-kissed sauce and succulent shrimp create a delightful culinary journey you’ll want to savor again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 1 pound (450g) large shrimp, peeled and deveined
Pasta and Base:
- 12 ounces (340g) linguine
- ½ teaspoon salt (for boiling water)
Other Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ cup (120 milliliters) chicken or vegetable broth
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) heavy cream
- ⅓ cup (40 grams) grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ cup (60 grams) sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
- 2 cups fresh spinach leaves
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare a generous pot of salted water and cook linguine until perfectly tender, following package guidelines. Carefully extract and set aside 1/2 cup of starchy pasta liquid before draining, then lightly coat noodles with olive oil to prevent clumping.
- Warm olive oil in a spacious skillet over medium temperature. Elegantly season shrimp with paprika, salt, pepper, and optional red pepper flakes. Sear each side until achieving a beautiful pink hue and translucent texture, approximately 1-2 minutes per side. Transfer cooked shrimp to a holding plate.
- Using the identical skillet, gently melt butter and introduce minced garlic, allowing aromatics to bloom for roughly 60 seconds until fragrant. Pour in chicken broth, velvety heavy cream, and finely grated Parmesan, whisking continuously until the mixture develops a luxurious, slightly thickened consistency.
- Incorporate sun-dried tomatoes, fresh spinach leaves, Italian seasoning, additional salt, and cracked pepper. Gently wilt spinach, stirring occasionally to distribute flavors evenly, approximately 2 minutes.
- Introduce cooked linguine directly into the creamy sauce, meticulously coating each strand. If the sauce appears overly dense, gradually introduce reserved pasta water to achieve ideal consistency.
- Delicately reintroduce seared shrimp, gently folding to integrate without breaking delicate protein.
- Plate the linguine, generously garnishing with extra Parmesan cheese and freshly ground black pepper. Serve immediately to capture maximum flavor and textural integrity.
Notes
- Prevent Shrimp Overcooking: Keep a close eye on shrimp while cooking, as they can quickly turn rubbery and tough. Remove them from heat the moment they turn pink and opaque to maintain their tender, juicy texture.
- Accommodate Dietary Restrictions: Swap regular linguine with gluten-free pasta for a celiac-friendly version. Use dairy-free cream alternatives like coconut milk or cashew cream to make the dish vegan-friendly.
- Enhance Flavor Depth: Toast garlic briefly in olive oil before adding other ingredients to release its nutty, aromatic qualities. Consider adding a splash of white wine to the sauce for an extra layer of complexity and brightness.
- Customize Heat Level: Adjust red pepper flakes to suit personal spice preferences. Start with a small pinch and gradually increase for those who enjoy more kick in their dishes.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 645
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 785mg
- Fat: 32g
- Saturated Fat: 17g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 65g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 29g
- Cholesterol: 210mg