Ingredients
Pasta
- 12 ounces squid ink pasta
Shrimp and Sauce
- 1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 Tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 6 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
- 2 Tablespoons tomato paste
- 10 ounces cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/3 cup white wine or dry vermouth
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 2 lemons, zested and juiced
- 1/2 cup chopped basil
- 4 Tablespoons butter
- Kosher salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Boil Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil to cook the squid ink pasta to al dente, reserving ½ cup of the pasta cooking water before draining.
- Prepare Sauce Base: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until hot. Add the sliced garlic and cook, stirring occasionally, for 1 to 2 minutes until lightly browned and fragrant.
- Add Tomato Paste and Tomatoes: Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 30 seconds to 1 minute until it darkens to a rich red. Add the halved cherry tomatoes, white wine, ¼ cup water, and red pepper flakes. Season with salt and pepper, then cook for 3 to 5 minutes until the tomatoes soften.
- Cook Shrimp: Add the shrimp to the tomato mixture. Season with salt and pepper then cook, stirring occasionally, for 2 to 3 minutes until the shrimp are opaque and cooked through.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the drained pasta, butter, lemon zest, lemon juice, and half of the reserved pasta water to the skillet with shrimp and tomatoes. Stir frequently and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until the pasta is well coated with the sauce. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper and add more reserved pasta water if needed to achieve desired sauce consistency.
- Finish with Basil and Serve: Remove the skillet from heat and stir in half of the chopped basil. Garnish with the remaining basil before serving.
Notes
- Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency as needed.
- Use dry vermouth as an alternative to white wine for a slightly different flavor.
- Do not overcook the shrimp to keep them tender and juicy.
- Squid ink pasta gives a slightly briny, rich flavor that pairs well with seafood.
- For spicier variation, increase red pepper flakes slightly.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
