Description
This Tomato Zucchini Shrimp Pasta is a light, flavorful, and quick meal. It combines succulent shrimp, tender zucchini, and blistered cherry tomatoes with pasta in a simple, delicious sauce.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 ounces (220g) shrimp, peeled and deveined (see notes)
- 2 medium zucchinis, diced
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes
- 8 ounces (220g) pasta (fusilli or other shape)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil, plus more if needed
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon fennel seeds
- 1/4 cup vegetable stock
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
- Fresh parsley/Basil for garnish
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Cook the pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water according to package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta, reserving about 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water (see notes).
- Cook Shrimp: While the pasta is cooking, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the shrimp, black pepper, fennel seeds, and garlic powder to the skillet. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 3-4 minutes, or until the shrimp are pink and cooked through. Remove the cooked shrimp from the skillet and set aside.
- Sauté Zucchini: Add the diced zucchini to the same skillet (add a drizzle more olive oil if needed). Cook, stirring occasionally, until the zucchini is golden brown on the edges and slightly softened, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the zucchini from the skillet and set aside.
- Cook Tomatoes: Add the cherry tomatoes, cayenne pepper (if using), and vegetable stock to the skillet. Cover with a lid and cook over medium heat, stirring regularly, until the tomatoes are blistered and have softened, about 5-8 minutes.
- Combine Ingredients: Push the cooked tomatoes to one side of the skillet. Add the cooked shrimp, cooked zucchini, cooked pasta, and grated Parmesan cheese to the skillet. Stir gently to combine all the ingredients. If the pasta seems dry, add a little of the reserved pasta water, a tablespoon at a time, until the desired consistency is reached.
- Reheat: Reheat the pasta mixture for a couple of minutes, stirring gently, until everything is heated through.
- Serve: Serve immediately, drizzled with a little extra olive oil and garnished with additional grated Parmesan cheese and Fresh Parsley/basil, if desired.
Notes
- Shrimp: You can use fresh or frozen shrimp. If using frozen shrimp, make sure to thaw them completely before cooking. You can use shrimp with tails on or off, depending on your preference.
- Pasta Water: Reserving some of the starchy pasta cooking water is important. It helps to create a creamy sauce and bind the ingredients together.
- Vegetable Stock: You can substitute chicken broth for the vegetable stock.
- Spice Level: Adjust the amount of cayenne pepper to your preference, or omit it entirely for a milder dish.
- Serving Suggestions: This pasta dish is a complete meal on its own, but you can serve it with a side salad or garlic bread.