Imagine twirling your fork into a plate of perfectly cooked linguine, adorned with succulent shrimp, burst cherry tomatoes, and aromatic fresh basil - a dish that looks and tastes like it came straight from a high-end Italian restaurant, but can be prepared in your own kitchen in just half an hour. This Linguine with Shrimp, Tomatoes, and Basil is not just a meal; it's a culinary experience that will transport your taste buds to the sun-drenched coastal regions of Italy, all while being incredibly simple to create.
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 20 mins
Total Time: 30 mins
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 12 oz linguine
- 1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Fill a large pot with water and add a generous pinch of salt. Bring the water to a rolling boil over high heat.
- Add the linguine to the boiling water and cook according to package instructions until al dente, typically 8-10 minutes. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water before draining.
- While the pasta cooks, pat the shrimp dry with paper towels and season with salt and pepper.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 30-45 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn.
- Add the shrimp to the skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes per side until they turn pink and are just cooked through. Remove shrimp and set aside.
- In the same skillet, add halved cherry tomatoes and cook for 3-4 minutes until they begin to soften and release their juices.
- Return the cooked shrimp to the skillet and add the drained linguine. Toss everything together, adding reserved pasta water if needed to create a light sauce.
- Remove from heat and sprinkle with chopped fresh basil. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
- Serve immediately in warm pasta bowls, garnishing with additional basil leaves if desired.
Tips
- Always salt your pasta water generously - it should taste like the sea to properly season your pasta from within.
- Pat shrimp completely dry before cooking to ensure a beautiful golden sear and prevent steaming.
- Don't overcook the shrimp - they're done when they turn pink and curl slightly, which usually takes just 2-3 minutes per side.
- Reserve some pasta water before draining, as its starchy nature helps create a silky sauce that clings perfectly to the pasta.
- Use the same skillet for multiple steps to build layers of flavor and reduce cleanup time.
- Fresh basil makes a huge difference - add it at the very end to preserve its bright, aromatic qualities.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 450kcal
Carbohydrates: 45g
Protein: 30g
Fat: 18g
Saturated Fat: 3g
Cholesterol: 180mg
