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on September 26, 202216 comments »
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Meet your new favorite pasta recipe! Pasta Pomodoro with Shrimp is the perfect easy pasta dinner recipe.This dish comes together with just 7simple ingredients and is on your table in 30 minutes or less.Made with shrimp, angel hair pasta, parmesan cheese, ripe tomatoes and basil, it tastes totally fresh, and is perfect for date night or family dinner!
I had a big can of crushed tomatoes to use up so I drained and used that instead, and it was wonderful! We are it under fluffy mounds of cheese and a pinch of finishing salt. Absolutely will be making this again!
— Aja
My family can’t get enough of this classic Italian favorite, Pasta Pomodoro! We often say that we could survive eating this everyday! 😉 Fresh tomatoes, garlic and basil make this a perfect last minute dish because it only takes about 30 minutes to prepare this meal.
We love this served with shrimp, but we also enjoy mixing it up and substituting chicken or veggies for the shrimp. Feel free to use whatever it is that you are in the mood for and have available in your kitchen. Add some parmesan cheese and fresh basil, then serve and wait for the rave reviews to start rolling in!
Why you’ll love this recipe
- Quick & easy.This meal is SO easy to make. It can be ready in just 30 minutes between cooking the pasta, sauce, and shrimp, and tossing them all together.
- Super flavorful.You will love the fresh flavors in this spaghetti recipe! So tasty and just like something you might order from a fancy Italian restaurant.
- Light & healthy.There’s no need to use heavy cream, butter or much oil to make this dish. To make this even healthier, you may use lentil pasta, or for a low-carb, low calorie option, substitute all or some of the pasta with zucchini noodles.
- Protein-packed & nutritious. Shrimp is a lean protein that’s low in calories and high in protein and other nutrients. It’s a good source of iodine, selenium, iron, and B12, which are not commonly found in many other foods.
Ingredients needed
This classic Italian dish is simple and straightforward. Here’s what you’ll be needing:
- Shrimp. Shrimp cooks up so quickly which makes this a great under 30 minute meal option. If you can’t buy fresh shrimp in your area, purchase frozen raw shrimp and thaw it by placing in a bowl of running water for a few minutes.
- Extra virgin olive oil.A little bit of fat goes a long way in this sauce.
- Fresh tomatoes. If you can get your hands on fresh garden tomatoes, they will give this sauce amazing flavor. However, if tomatoes are not in season, try canned, crushedSan Marzano tomatoes.
- Garlic. I love thedeliciousgarlic flavor in this sauce. You can use finely minced or pressed garlic. And I highly recommend using fresh garlic, rather than the jarred kind.
- Basil. Fresh basil leaves are a must!
- Angel hair pasta. We love to use thin, angel hair spaghetti as our pasta of choice for this meal, but any type of pasta will work.
- Parmesan cheese. I love to use freshly grated parmesan cheese! You can find the highest quality blocks of Parmesan cheese in the speciality cheese area in most grocery stores.
- Salt & pepper.Once the sauce is cooked, taste and add more salt and pepper, if needed.
How to make this recipe
Making homemade pasta Pomodoro honestly couldn’t be easier! Here’s a quick rundown of the process, but for full instructions, reference the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
- Prep. Start by bringing a large pot of water to a boil while you are chopping the tomatoes.
- Sauté the shrimp. In a large skillet, cook shrimp until it has turned pink, about 1 to 2 minutes per side; remove shrimp and set aside.
- Make the sauce. Add 1 tablespoon olive oil to the same skillet and when oil is hot, add chopped tomatoes, then salt and pepper to taste. Stir occasionally and cook for 5 minutes and then add chopped garlic. Cook 2 to 3 minutes more and until the tomatoes get soft and garlic is fragrant.
- Cook the noodles. Add angel hair pasta to the boiling water and cook per box instructions (typically 3 to 4 minutes). Reserve some of the pasta water in case you’d like to thin the sauce.
- Add shrimp to pan. While the pasta cooks, add shrimp back into the skillet along with fresh chopped basil and a small amount of olive oil. Stir well to combine and add more salt, if needed.
- Combine all ingredients. Add cooked pasta into the skillet to combine with the tomatoes, shrimp and basil. Stir to fully combined. If you want to thin the sauce out, add some of the pasta water.
- Serve.Top with freshly grated parmesan cheese and fresh basil and enjoy!
Tips
- I highly recommend using freshly grated Parmesan cheese for this recipe. Pre-grated cheese often contains stabilizers and anti caking agents and does not melt as well. Also, a high quality Parmesan cheese will add such wonderful flavor to this pasta dish. I typically shop the speciality cheese counter of my local grocery store.
- If using canned tomatoes, use 1 (28-ounce) can whole peeled San Marzano tomatoes and puree them in a food processor or blender.
- For just a little kick of heat, add about 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes to the sauce.
- Be surenot to overcook the shrimpor it will become a bit chewy.
- Don’t wipe the pan after cooking the shrimp.There will be some bits left in the pan after removing the shrimp from the pan. Don’t clean that out! It will add savory flavor to the sauce.
Frequently asked questions
What is Pasta Pomodoro?
“Pomodoro” means “tomato” in Italian, and that’s exactly what this is — a fresh tomato sauce served over angel hair pasta. Pomodoro sauce is simple and light. Thetomato-based pasta sauceis made from a combination of fresh tomatoes, garlic, olive oil, and fresh basil. Since there are so few ingredients in this recipe, you’ll want to useonly the best quality ingredients for amazing taste. I highly suggest tomatoes from a garden or farmer’s market, fresh basil and a high quality parmesan cheese.
What is the difference between Pomodoro and marinara?
The ingredients for Pomodoro sauce and marinara sauce are typically about the same. However, the consistency is different.Pomodoro is thick and smooth and marinara is runnier and chunky. If you’re looking for a tasty marinara sauce, be sure to check out my homemade marinara sauce.
What’s the difference between bolognese and Pomodoro sauce?
Bolognese means “meat sauce,” so for this sauce, the meat is the center focus. For a Pomodoro sauce, the tomatoes are the star. So the main difference between them is that the bolognese has meat and the Pomodoro doesn’t. In this particular recipe, we’re adding shrimp, but traditionally Pomodoro is meatless.
Variations
This pasta meal is delicious as-is, but feel free to change things up to customize it to your family’s preferences and what you have available. Here’s some ideas:
- Pasta. Pasta Pomodoro usually uses long spaghetti, like angel hair pasta. You can use any pasta shape you like, though. Rigatoni, rotini or penne pasta would all be great choices.
- Protein. Instead of using shrimp, try this with chicken, meatballs or Italian sausage.
- Vegetables. Instead of or in addition to an added protein, add sautéed veggies such as mushrooms, zucchini, artichokes or eggplant.
Serving suggestions
This pasta dish is great on it’s own, but you can also serve it with a variety of side dishes! We love it served with a fresh Italian salad or a Caesar salad. You could also whip up a simple green salad. Simply, toss mixed greens with lemon juice, olive oil, salt and pepper. Feel free to add toppings to your salad such as red onion, cherry tomatoes, and croutons. Just don’t forget the crusty garlic bread and glass of wine!
Storage recommendations
- Storing leftovers. Transfer the leftover pasta Pomodoro to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for 4 to 5 days. To reheat the pasta, add it to the stove with a splash of olive oil or broth and heat until warm.
- Freezing.This sauce can be frozen! If you are someone who likes to meal prep, you can make a large batch and put it into freezer safe containers or baggies and freeze for 3 months. Be sure the sauce has completely cooled before sealing the container.
More Italian dishes to try
- Easy Healthy Lasagna
- Italian Sausage Pasta
- Easy Baked Ziti
- Pesto Pasta
- Creamy Cajun Shrimp Pasta
If you try this recipe, let me know! Leave a comment and if your family loves it as much as mine does, be sure to giveit a five star ⭐️ rating! Also, tag @kimscravings on Instagramwith a picture of your creation. It’s so fun to see what you’re cooking! Be sure to subscribe to our mailing list to receive more healthy delicious recipes straight to your inbox.
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Pasta Pomodoro with Shrimp
Yield: 4 servings
Prep Time: 15 minutes mins
Cook Time: 15 minutes mins
Total Time: 30 minutes mins
Pasta Pomodoro with Shrimp is the perfect easy pasta dinner recipe.This dish comes together with simple ingredients, fresh flavor, and is super quick.Made with shrimp, angel hair pasta, parmesan cheese, ripe tomatoes and basil, Pasta Pomodoro tastes amazing, and is perfect for date night or family dinner!
Author: Kim
Ingredients
- 1 pound shrimp , deveined, peeled and tails removed
- 2 tablespoons + 1 teaspoon olive oil, divided
- 4-5 large tomatoes, chopped into bite sized pieces (if using smaller tomatoes such as Roma increase to 6-7)
- 3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil, plus more to garnish
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- 12-16 ounces angel hair pasta* (or other long pasta)
- 1/2 cup fresh grated parmesan cheese, plus more to taste
- salt & pepper to taste
Instructions
In a large pot, add water and bring to a boil while you are chopping the tomatoes. Don’t add the angel hair pasta yet, it cooks quickly (usually 3-4 minutes) so you will want to add it to the boiling water after you start cooking the tomatoes.
In a large skillet over medium heat add 1 tablespoon olive oil and cook shrimp until it has turned pink, about 1 – 2 minutes per side. Remove shrimp from pan and set aside.
See AlsoSee's Fudge Recipe CopycatDrain any liquid from the skillet, reduce heat to medium-low and add 1 tablespoon olive oil. When oil is hot, add chopped tomatoes, then salt and pepper to taste. Stir occasionally and cook for 5 minutes and then add chopped garlic. Cook 2 – 3 minutes more and until the tomatoes get soft and garlic is fragrant.
Add angel hair pasta to the boiling water and cook per box instructions (typically 3-4 minutes).
While the pasta is cooking, put the shrimp back into the skillet, add the freshly chopped basil and a small amount of olive oil to taste (1-2 tsp is what I use). Stirring well to combine and bring out the flavor of the basil. Taste and add more salt, if needed. Add the crushed red pepper flakes, if you like a little kick of heat.
Drain pasta (reserving about 1/2 cup of the pasta water). Add pasta into the skillet to combine with the tomatoes, shrimp and basil. Stir to fully combined. If you want the sauce to be more moist, add some of the pasta water, as desired.
Serve topped with freshly grated parmesan cheese and fresh basil and enjoy!
Notes
*If you are using a pasta that requires a longer cooking time, such as spaghetti or fettuccine, you might need to start cooking the pasta a little earlier in the cooking process. Check the cooking time on the box and adjust accordingly.
- Storing leftovers. Transfer leftovers to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for 4 to 5 days. To reheat the pasta, add it to the stove with a splash of olive oil or broth and heat until warm.
- Freezing.This sauce can be frozen! You can make a large batch and put it into freezer safe containers or baggies and freeze for 3 months.
Photos by Molly atYes to Yolks
Author: Kim
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Serving: 1serving, Calories: 580kcal, Carbohydrates: 69g, Protein: 40g, Fat: 15g, Saturated Fat: 4g, Cholesterol: 294mg, Sodium: 1093mg, Potassium: 592mg, Fiber: 4g, Sugar: 6g, Vitamin A: 1175IU, Vitamin C: 22mg, Calcium: 347mg, Iron: 4mg
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All Recipes Gluten-Free Kim's Favorite Recipes Main Dishes Pastas Seafood Special Diets
posted by Kim on September 26, 2022
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16 comments on “Pasta Pomodoro with Shrimp”
Leave a comment »
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Janet — Reply
Very tasty recipe! Comes together easily and quickly if you have all the elements prepped. I used grape tomatoes from my garden, cut in half, instead of the larger tomatoes. I also added a 1/2 teaspoon of dry thyme, otherwise I followed the recipe. My sauce didn’t need the pasta water as the tomatoes provided plenty of moisture. Kim, thanks for sharing your recipe.
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Kim — Reply
So happy you enjoyed!
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Melissa — Reply
Loved it! This was easy and so tasty!
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Angela — Reply
Great flavors in a simple dish that my whole family loved. The shrimp was a great addition but I could see having this without a protein as well.
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Marie-Charlotte Chatelain — Reply
Now this is one restaurant-worthy fancy date night kinda pasta dinner! My whole family thoroughly enjoyed this!
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Patricia — Reply
I love that this dish looks elegant, but is so easy. We loved the flavors too!
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Beth — Reply
My daughter and I love shrimp and this hit the spot! So delicious!
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Gina — Reply
This is such a delicious dish! Shrimp is my favorite thing to add to pasta for a quick and healthy protein. And this turned out so flavorful, it was super easy to make too!
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Sue — Reply
All this fresh taste in 30 minutes! Thank you, it is delicious!
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Jen — Reply
Thank you for such an easy and delicious dinner option. The kids are already asking when I’m making it again.
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Scarlet — Reply
This recipe is a new favorite! I loved how quick and easy it was to make and tasted incredible!
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Traci — Reply
So easy and super delicious! Love it that it’s loaded with shrimp too…so much flavor! Thanks for sharing 😉
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Aja Perrin — Reply
I had a big can of crushed tomatoes to use up so I drained and used that instead, and it was wonderful! We are it under fluffy mounds of cheese and a pinch of finishing salt. Absolutely will be making this again!
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Kim — Reply
That sounds fabulous! So glad you enjoyed and thanks so much for taking time to comment!
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Alexandra — Reply
We made this for dinner, and it was absolutely delicious! Great flavours!
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Beth Sachs — Reply
Paired this with a glass of white wine and it was amazing. My husband loved it too. I’ll definitely make it again!
