This delightful garlic shrimp pasta is a perfect blend of flavors and textures, making it an ideal dish for a quick weeknight dinner or a special occasion. The combination of garlic, cherry tomatoes, and spinach creates a vibrant and fresh taste that pairs wonderfully with the spaghetti. The addition of nutritional yeast adds a cheesy, nutty flavor without any dairy.
One ingredient you might not have at home is nutritional yeast. This is a deactivated yeast that is often used as a cheese substitute in vegan recipes. It can be found in the health food section of most supermarkets or specialty stores. Make sure to check the label to ensure it is fortified with B12, which is an added nutritional benefit.
Ingredients For Garlic Shrimp Pasta Recipe
Spaghetti: A type of pasta that serves as the base for this dish.
Olive oil: Used for sautéing and adding a rich flavor.
Garlic: Adds a pungent, aromatic flavor to the dish.
Cherry tomatoes: Provide a sweet and tangy taste.
Spinach: Adds a fresh, leafy component.
Nutritional yeast: Adds a cheesy, nutty flavor without dairy.
Salt: Enhances the overall flavor.
Pepper: Adds a bit of heat and depth.
Technique Tip for This Recipe
When sautéing the garlic in olive oil, be sure to keep the heat at medium to avoid burning. Burnt garlic can impart a bitter taste to the dish. Instead, aim for a light golden brown color, which will enhance the flavor of the cherry tomatoes and spinach.
Suggested Side Dishes
Alternative Ingredients
Shrimp - Substitute with king oyster mushrooms: King oyster mushrooms have a meaty texture and can be sliced to resemble shrimp. They absorb flavors well, making them a great vegan alternative.
Shrimp - Substitute with tofu: Firm tofu can be marinated and sautéed to mimic the texture and flavor of shrimp in the dish.
Spaghetti - Substitute with zucchini noodles: For a gluten-free and low-carb option, zucchini noodles can be used. They provide a similar texture and absorb the flavors of the sauce well.
Spaghetti - Substitute with whole wheat pasta: Whole wheat pasta is a healthier alternative to regular spaghetti, offering more fiber and nutrients.
Olive oil - Substitute with avocado oil: Avocado oil has a high smoke point and a mild flavor, making it a suitable replacement for olive oil in cooking.
Olive oil - Substitute with coconut oil: Coconut oil can be used for a slightly different flavor profile and is also suitable for high-heat cooking.
Garlic - Substitute with shallots: Shallots provide a milder, sweeter flavor compared to garlic and can be used to add depth to the dish.
Garlic - Substitute with garlic powder: Garlic powder can be used in place of fresh garlic for convenience, though it will have a slightly different intensity.
Cherry tomatoes - Substitute with sun-dried tomatoes: Sun-dried tomatoes offer a more intense flavor and chewy texture, adding a different dimension to the dish.
Cherry tomatoes - Substitute with grape tomatoes: Grape tomatoes are similar in size and flavor to cherry tomatoes and can be used interchangeably.
Spinach - Substitute with kale: Kale provides a heartier texture and slightly different flavor, while still offering a good amount of nutrients.
Spinach - Substitute with arugula: Arugula adds a peppery flavor and can be used as a fresh, leafy green alternative to spinach.
Nutritional yeast - Substitute with vegan parmesan: Vegan parmesan can provide a similar cheesy flavor and texture, making it a good substitute for nutritional yeast.
Nutritional yeast - Substitute with ground cashews: Ground cashews can add a creamy, nutty flavor that mimics the richness of nutritional yeast.
Alternative Recipes Similar to This Dish
How to Store or Freeze This Dish
- Allow the spaghetti to cool completely before storing. This helps prevent condensation, which can make the pasta soggy.
- Transfer the garlic shrimp pasta to an airtight container. Make sure the container is large enough to avoid squishing the cherry tomatoes and spinach.
- Store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. The olive oil will help keep the pasta from sticking together.
- For freezing, portion the pasta into individual servings. This makes it easier to reheat only what you need.
- Place each portion in a freezer-safe container or a resealable plastic bag. Remove as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn.
- Label the containers with the date and contents. This ensures you know how long the garlic shrimp pasta has been stored.
- When ready to eat, thaw the pasta in the refrigerator overnight. This gradual thawing helps maintain the texture of the spaghetti and vegetables.
- Reheat the pasta in a pan over medium heat. Add a splash of olive oil or a bit of water to help loosen the pasta and prevent it from drying out.
- Stir occasionally until heated through. Be gentle to avoid breaking the cherry tomatoes and spinach.
- Alternatively, you can reheat in the microwave. Place the pasta in a microwave-safe dish, cover with a damp paper towel, and heat in 1-minute intervals, stirring in between, until hot.
How to Reheat Leftovers
Stovetop Method:
- Place a pan over medium heat and add a splash of olive oil or a bit of water to prevent sticking.
- Add the leftover Garlic Shrimp Pasta to the pan.
- Stir occasionally until the pasta is heated through, about 5-7 minutes.
- If the pasta seems dry, add a small amount of water or vegetable broth to rehydrate it.
Microwave Method:
- Transfer the Garlic Shrimp Pasta to a microwave-safe dish.
- Add a splash of water or olive oil to keep the pasta moist.
- Cover the dish with a microwave-safe lid or a damp paper towel.
- Heat on medium power for 1-2 minutes, then stir.
- Continue heating in 30-second intervals until the pasta is hot.
Oven Method:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Place the Garlic Shrimp Pasta in an oven-safe dish.
- Add a bit of water or olive oil to keep the pasta from drying out.
- Cover the dish with aluminum foil.
- Bake for about 15-20 minutes, or until heated through.
Steamer Method:
- Place the Garlic Shrimp Pasta in a heatproof dish that fits into your steamer basket.
- Add a small amount of water to the bottom of the steamer.
- Cover and steam for about 5-10 minutes, or until the pasta is heated through.
- Stir occasionally to ensure even heating.
Essential Tools for This Recipe
Pot: Used to cook the spaghetti according to package instructions.
Colander: Used to drain the cooked spaghetti.
Pan: Used to heat olive oil and sauté garlic, cherry tomatoes, and spinach.
Wooden spoon: Used to stir the ingredients in the pan.
Knife: Used to mince the garlic and halve the cherry tomatoes.
Cutting board: Used as a surface to mince the garlic and halve the cherry tomatoes.
Measuring spoons: Used to measure the olive oil and nutritional yeast.
Tongs: Used to toss the cooked spaghetti with the other ingredients in the pan.
Serving bowl: Used to serve the finished pasta dish.
How to Save Time on This Recipe
Prep ingredients ahead: Mince the garlic and halve the cherry tomatoes in advance to save time during cooking.
Use pre-washed spinach: Opt for pre-washed spinach to eliminate the need for washing and drying.
Cook pasta in advance: Cook the spaghetti earlier in the day and store it in the fridge. Reheat it quickly when ready to use.
One-pan method: Use a large enough pan to cook everything together, reducing the number of dishes to clean.
Quick seasoning: Keep salt and pepper handy to season the dish quickly without searching for them.
Garlic Shrimp Pasta Recipe
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 8 oz spaghetti
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup spinach
- ¼ cup nutritional yeast
- to taste Salt and pepper
Instructions
- 1. Cook spaghetti according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- 2. In a pan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add garlic and sauté until fragrant.
- 3. Add cherry tomatoes and cook until they start to soften.
- 4. Add spinach and cook until wilted.
- 5. Toss in the cooked spaghetti and nutritional yeast. Mix well.
- 6. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve hot.
Nutritional Value
Keywords
Suggested Appetizers and Desserts
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