Serves 6
30 min
Penne with Spinach, Shrimp, Tomatoes and Basil
Recipe GLPR2b931e38f680d7
A light and vibrant Mediterranean pasta dish featuring tender shrimp, fresh spinach, ripe tomatoes, and aromatic basil. The shrimp are quickly sautéed with garlic and lemon, then tossed together with al dente penne and wilted spinach for a fresh, healthy main course that comes together in about 30 minutes.
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Ingredients
12 ounces penne pasta
Salt and pepper to taste
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 pound medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
3 garlic cloves, minced
5 large plum tomatoes, cut into thin wedges
6 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped, divided
3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
2 teaspoons grated lemon peel
6 cups packed baby spinach leaves
Directions
Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add penne and cook according to package directions until tender but still firm to the bite. Before draining, reserve 1 cup of the pasta cooking water in a small bowl. Drain the pasta in a colander and return it to the hot pot. Cover to keep warm while you prepare the remaining ingredients.
While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Pat the shrimp dry with paper towels and season with salt and pepper. Once the oil is shimmering, add the shrimp and minced garlic to the skillet and sauté for about 2 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the shrimp begin to turn pink.
Add the tomato wedges, 4 tablespoons of the fresh basil, lemon juice, and lemon peel to the skillet. Continue cooking for approximately 3 minutes more, stirring gently, until the shrimp are fully cooked through and opaque (internal temperature should reach 145°F). Do not overcook or the shrimp will become tough.
Add the spinach leaves to the hot pasta in the pot and toss together until the spinach is completely wilted, about 1-2 minutes. Pour the warm shrimp and tomato mixture over the pasta and spinach, and toss everything together to combine evenly.
Add enough of the reserved pasta cooking water a little at a time to moisten the pasta and create a light sauce that coats the noodles. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper as needed. Transfer the pasta to a serving bowl and garnish with the remaining 2 tablespoons of fresh basil. Serve immediately.
