Description
A quick and flavorful Tomato Spinach Shrimp Pasta recipe perfect for a healthy weeknight dinner. This dish combines tender shrimp, fresh spinach, and juicy cherry tomatoes tossed with spaghetti in a light garlic and broth sauce, finished with optional Parmesan cheese for added richness.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 8 oz spaghetti or preferred pasta
Shrimp and Vegetables
- 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
- 4 cups fresh spinach
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Other Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 cup chicken or vegetable broth
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Grated Parmesan cheese (optional for serving)
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the spaghetti until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta water and then drain the pasta.
- Sauté Garlic and Shrimp: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Add the peeled and deveined shrimp and cook until they turn pink and opaque, about 3–5 minutes.
- Cook Tomatoes and Spinach: Add the halved cherry tomatoes to the skillet and cook until they soften, approximately 2 minutes. Stir in the fresh spinach and red pepper flakes, if using, and cook until the spinach wilts.
- Create Sauce and Combine: Pour in the chicken or vegetable broth and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Add the cooked pasta to the skillet along with some reserved pasta water as needed to loosen the sauce. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste, stirring everything to combine well.
- Serve: Plate the pasta immediately, optionally topping with grated Parmesan cheese and fresh basil for extra flavor and garnish.
Notes
- Use shrimp that is peeled and deveined for the best texture and ease of eating.
- Reserve some pasta water to adjust the sauce consistency as needed.
- For a vegetarian version, omit shrimp and use vegetable broth.
- Red pepper flakes are optional but add a nice gentle heat to the dish.
- Parmesan cheese can be omitted for a dairy-free option.
