Shrimp Pasta with Creamy Mozzarella Sauce

Shrimp Pasta with Creamy Mozzarella Sauce

Recipe by GenevaWatsonCourse: Main, DinnerCuisine: Italian, AmericanDifficulty: Medium
Servings

4

servings
Prep time

30

minutes
Cooking time

30

minutes
Total time

1

hour 

10

minutes

Ingredients

  • For Pasta
  • 8 oz. penne pasta

  • For Shrimp
  • 1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined)

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil (drained from sun-dried tomatoes jar or just use regular olive oil)

  • 3 garlic cloves minced

  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

  • For Creamy Sauce
  • 1 cup mozzarella cheese shredded (do not use fresh Mozzarella, use pre-shredded Mozzarella)

  • 4 oz. sun-dried tomatoes (without oil)

  • 1 cup half and half

  • 4 garlic cloves minced

  • 1 tablespoon dried basil (if using fresh basil you can add more)

  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes crushed, add more to taste

  • 1/8 teaspoon paprika

  • 1/2 cup reserved cooked pasta water (or more)

  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

Directions

  • Cook pasta according to package instructions. Reserve some cooked pasta water for later. Drain and set aside.
  • To Cook Shrimp
  • Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil (reserved from sun-dried tomatoes jar or regular olive oil) in a large skillet on medium-high heat.
  • Add shrimp and minced garlic. Fry for about 1 minute on each side, until shrimp turns pink or golden brown. Sprinkle with salt.
  • Flip over and sear the other side for about 30 seconds or 1 minute more. Transfer shrimp to a plate, reserve oil in skillet.
  • To Make Creamy Mozzarella Sauce
  • Add sun-dried tomatoes and minced garlic to skillet. Stir-fry on medium heat for 1 minute, until garlic is fragrant.
  • Add in half and half and bring to boil. Stir in shredded cheese to combine.
  • Immediately reduce to simmer. Continue to cook until cheese is melted and sauce thickens. Add a bit more half and half or cooked pasta water, if needed.
  • Stir in basil, crushed red pepper flakes, paprika. Add 1/4 teaspoon of salt gradually, stirring on low heat and tasting.
  • To Assemble
  • Add cooked pasta to skillet, and reheat gently on medium heat. Return cooked shrimp and stir it in. Taste, and season with more salt, if needed.
  • Let simmer on low heat for a couple of minutes for flavors to combine.
  • Serve!
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