🛒 Ingredients
- 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 8 oz fettuccine or linguine pasta
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup chicken broth or dry white wine
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
- ½ cup Roma tomatoes, diced (as seen in image_43491e.jpg)
- ½ tsp Italian seasoning
- ¼ tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for a subtle kick)
- Salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley, finely chopped (for garnish)
👩🍳 Instructions
Step 1: Cook the Pasta
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the fettuccine and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve ½ cup of the starchy pasta water, then drain the noodles and set aside.
Step 2: Sear the Shrimp
Pat the shrimp completely dry with paper towels and season them lightly with salt, black pepper, and a pinch of Italian seasoning. Heat the olive oil and 1 tablespoon of butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the shrimp in a single layer and sear for 2 minutes per side, just until they turn pink and opaque. Remove the shrimp from the skillet and set them aside on a plate to prevent overcooking.
Step 3: Sauté the Aromatics
Turn the heat down to medium. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter to the same skillet. Stir in the minced garlic, diced tomatoes, and red pepper flakes. Sauté for about 1 minute until the garlic is fragrant and the tomatoes just begin to soften.
Step 4: Build the Cream Sauce
Pour in the chicken broth (or white wine), scraping up any delicious browned bits from the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon. Let the liquid simmer and reduce by half, which should take about 2 to 3 minutes. Pour in the heavy cream and the rest of the Italian seasoning. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and let it cook for 3 to 4 minutes until it begins to thicken slightly.
Step 5: Toss and Melt
Reduce the heat to low and whisk in the freshly grated Parmesan cheese until completely melted and smooth. Add the cooked fettuccine and the seared shrimp back into the skillet. Gently toss everything together for 1 to 2 minutes until the pasta is coated in the glossy, luxurious sauce. If the sauce feels too thick, splash in a little of your reserved pasta water to loosen it up.
Step 6: Garnish and Serve
Transfer the pasta to your serving dish, ensuring the beautiful, golden-seared shrimp sit right on top alongside the vibrant tomato pieces, exactly like the presentation in image_43491e.jpg. Garnish generously with finely chopped fresh parsley and an extra dusting of black pepper. Serve immediately while piping hot!