Tomato Spinach Shrimp Pasta Recipe

Introduction

This Tomato Spinach Shrimp Pasta is a quick and flavorful dish perfect for busy weeknights. Tender shrimp cooked with garlic, juicy grape tomatoes, and fresh spinach create a light but satisfying sauce tossed with al dente spaghetti. Ready in just 30 minutes, it’s a healthy meal your whole family will enjoy.

A white bowl holds a colorful shrimp pasta dish with three main layers: the bottom layer is yellow spaghetti noodles, the middle layer has orange cooked shrimp and red roasted tomato pieces scattered evenly, and the top layer is fresh dark green spinach leaves mixed with finely grated white cheese sprinkled over everything. The elements create a fresh and lively look with different textures of soft pasta, juicy shrimp, and leafy greens. The bowl is set on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

  • 8 ounces uncooked spaghetti
  • 1 pound uncooked shrimp (31-40 per pound, thawed and peeled, tails optional)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 4 cloves garlic (minced)
  • 10 ounces grape tomatoes (halved)
  • 1/4 cup chicken broth
  • 1/4 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 2 cups fresh baby spinach (packed)
  • Salt and pepper (to taste)

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the spaghetti until al dente according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
  2. Step 2: While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil and butter in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the minced garlic once the pan is hot and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
  3. Step 3: Stir in the halved grape tomatoes, chicken broth, and Italian seasoning. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the tomatoes begin to soften and lose their shape, about 5 minutes.
  4. Step 4: Add the shrimp and fresh spinach to the skillet. Reduce the heat to medium and cook for about 5 minutes, stirring and turning the shrimp occasionally until they are fully cooked and the spinach has wilted.
  5. Step 5: Season the mixture with salt and pepper to taste. Toss the shrimp and vegetable sauce with the drained spaghetti. If desired, add a splash of the reserved hot pasta water to loosen the sauce before serving.

Tips & Variations

  • For extra richness, finish the sauce with a tablespoon of grated Parmesan cheese before tossing with pasta.
  • Substitute chicken broth with vegetable broth for a lighter or vegetarian-friendly version (omit shrimp accordingly).
  • Use zucchini or gluten-free pasta to accommodate dietary preferences or restrictions.
  • If you prefer spicier flavors, add a pinch of red pepper flakes when cooking garlic.

Storage

Store any leftover pasta in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat gently in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of water or broth to prevent drying out. This dish is best enjoyed fresh for optimal texture and flavor.

How to Serve

A white bowl holds a dish with three main visible layers: a base of pale yellow spaghetti noodles, scattered bright orange cooked shrimp sitting on the noodles, and green spinach leaves mixed throughout. There are halved red cherry tomatoes placed on top and around, adding pops of red. The whole dish is sprinkled with fine, light white grated cheese, slightly melting over the noodles and shrimp. The textures show tender shrimp, soft noodles, wilted spinach, and juicy tomatoes, all placed on a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use frozen shrimp for this recipe?

Yes, frozen shrimp works well as long as it is fully thawed and drained before cooking. This ensures even cooking and prevents excess moisture in the sauce.

What can I substitute if I don’t have grape tomatoes?

You can use cherry tomatoes or any small fresh tomatoes as a substitute. If unavailable, diced Roma or plum tomatoes will also work, though the texture may be slightly different.

Print

Tomato Spinach Shrimp Pasta Recipe

This Tomato Spinach Shrimp Pasta is a quick and flavorful seafood pasta dish that combines succulent shrimp, fresh spinach, and sweet grape tomatoes in a light garlic butter sauce. Perfect for a weeknight dinner, this recipe is ready in just 30 minutes and serves four people.

  • Author: luca
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: Italian-American

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta

  • 8 ounces uncooked spaghetti

Shrimp and Vegetables

  • 1 pound uncooked (31-40/pound size) shrimp, thawed and peeled (tails optional)
  • 10 ounces grape tomatoes, halved
  • 2 cups (packed) fresh baby spinach

Sauce and Seasoning

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/4 cup chicken broth
  • 1/4 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the spaghetti and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
  2. Prepare the Sauce Base: While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil and butter in a skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
  3. Add Tomatoes and Broth: Stir in halved grape tomatoes, chicken broth, and Italian seasoning. Cook the mixture, stirring occasionally, until the tomatoes begin to break down and soften, about 5 minutes.
  4. Cook Shrimp and Spinach: Add the shrimp to the skillet followed by the fresh baby spinach. Reduce heat to medium and cook for approximately 5 minutes, stirring occasionally and turning shrimp, until the shrimp are opaque and fully cooked and spinach has wilted.
  5. Season and Combine: Season the dish with salt and pepper to taste. Toss the shrimp and vegetable mixture with the drained spaghetti. For a slightly thinner sauce, add a splash of the reserved hot pasta water and toss again to combine evenly.

Notes

  • You can remove the shrimp tails for easier eating, but leaving them on adds extra flavor during cooking.
  • If you prefer a spicier sauce, add crushed red pepper flakes along with the garlic.
  • For a vegetarian version, omit the shrimp and add mushrooms or tofu.
  • Use gluten-free spaghetti to make this recipe gluten-free.
  • Reserve some pasta water before draining to adjust sauce consistency as needed.

Keywords: shrimp pasta, tomato spinach pasta, quick shrimp dinner, garlic butter shrimp, weeknight pasta recipe

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