Angel Hair Pasta with Shrimp
Everybody at our house devours this angel hair pasta with shrimp, tomatoes, and fresh basil whenever I make it for dinner. The girls love angel hair pasta and I’m always sneaking the last shrimp from the pan because it tastes so wonderful in the pomodoro sauce made from the fresh tomatoes and basil. Angel hair pairs perfectly with a lighter, brighter sauce like this one. It’s made by cooking down chopped roma tomatoes with a little olive oil, garlic, and red pepper flakes for just a bit of kick. Then we add fresh basil for classic Italian flavors that still allow the pasta and shrimp to shine through. You can add a little freshly grated Parmesan cheese over the top if you like. It’s easy and fast for a weeknight, but special enough to serve guests.
Shrimp and Tomato Pasta Ingredients
This is a quick overview of some of the important ingredients you’ll need for this angel hair pasta with shrimp recipe. Specific measurements and full recipe instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post.
Shrimp: Peeled, deveined shrimp is best and can be purchased frozen at the store. It is convenient and I can keep a bag or two of it in the freezer. I like the presentation of tail-on shrimp, but removing the tails before cooking will make this dish easier to eat. Tomatoes: Fresh roma tomatoes are cooked down to create a flavorful pomodoro sauce. Canned whole plum tomatoes can also be used instead. Basil: Fresh basil leaves makes all the difference with a simple recipe like this. Dried can be used in a pinch, but fresh really is preferable for this dish.
How to Make Shrimp Pomodoro (Shrimp Tomato Pasta)
Angel Hair Shrimp Pasta Tips & Variations
Shrimp cooks fast. Shrimp is a great solution for a weeknight dinner because it cooks so quickly, but if you overcook it you will end up with tough bites. It really only needs a few minutes to turn from grey to pink and then it’s done! Reserve some of the pasta water before draining. You can add a little of the starchy water to finish the pasta dish to moisten things up a little if it needs it after tossing the pasta with the sauce. It gives a wonderfully silky texture and flavor to the dish. Use another protein or go meatless. Substitute 1 ½ to 2 cups of diced, cooked chicken or veggies like bell peppers, eggplant, or mushroom for the shrimp. Use a different type of pasta. This sauce pairs particularly well with the thin shape of angel hair pasta, but regular spaghetti or fettucine can be used. Keep in mind that they have longer cooking times so you may want to start them earlier than indicated in the recipe. Replace the chicken broth with white wine. This sauce can be made with white wine as the liquid instead of chicken broth, if you prefer.
How to Store Pasta with Shrimp
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 2-3 days. Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop with a splash or two of chicken broth to loosen up the pasta and keep it from drying out.
More like this Angel Hair Shrimp Pasta:
Cheesy Baked Spaghetti Casserole One Pot Bruschetta Chicken Pasta Homemade Hamburger Helper Cheeseburger Pasta Skillet Best Bolognese Sauce Recipe
This post was originally published in January, 2017. The photos and content were updated in January, 2022. Let me know what you thought with a comment and rating below. You can also take a picture and tag me on Instagram @houseofnasheats or share it on the Pinterest pin so I can see.
