Description
Shrimp Pasta with Sun-Dried Tomatoes & Mascarpone is a creamy and vibrant dish combining succulent shrimp, tangy sun-dried tomatoes, and silky mascarpone cheese, tossed with perfectly cooked pasta. Ready in under 30 minutes, it is ideal for quick weeknight dinners or elegant occasions, featuring bold flavors and a luscious yet light texture.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein & Dairy
- 12 oz peeled and deveined shrimp (fresh or thawed frozen)
- 4 oz mascarpone cheese
- Parmesan cheese (optional, to taste)
Produce & Herbs
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes (oil-packed), chopped
- Fresh basil or parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Pasta & Pantry
- 8 oz linguine, fettuccine, or spaghetti pasta
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/4 cup white wine or 1 tbsp lemon juice
- Salt, to taste (for pasta water and seasoning)
- Cracked black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve about 1/2 cup of pasta water before draining the pasta and set both aside.
- Sauté Shrimp and Garlic: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add shrimp and cook for 2-3 minutes on each side until pink and opaque. Remove shrimp from skillet and set aside.
- Cook Sun-Dried Tomatoes: Add a little more olive oil to the same skillet if needed. Toss in chopped sun-dried tomatoes and sauté for 1-2 minutes, stirring continuously to release their flavor.
- Create the Mascarpone Sauce: Lower heat to medium-low. Stir in mascarpone cheese and add a splash of white wine or lemon juice. Mix gently until the sauce is smooth and creamy. If the sauce becomes too thick, gradually add reserved pasta water until desired consistency is reached.
- Combine and Serve: Return cooked shrimp to the skillet, then add drained pasta. Toss everything together to coat the pasta evenly in the sauce. Finish by sprinkling fresh herbs and optional Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Do not overcook shrimp as they cook quickly and can become tough.
- Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency and maintain flavor.
- Use high-quality mascarpone cheese for the best creaminess and flavor.
- Chop sun-dried tomatoes into uniform, bite-sized pieces for even flavor distribution.
- Fresh herbs are essential for balancing the creaminess and enhancing freshness.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 550 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 180 mg
Keywords: shrimp pasta, sun-dried tomatoes, mascarpone sauce, quick dinner, creamy pasta, Italian seafood pasta, easy weeknight meal