Spicy Orecchiette with Shrimp & Arugula

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I love how fast it is to make this pasta dish. Within the time it takes to boil the water and cook pasta, you’ll have an incredibly flavorful meal that includes a protein and a veggie. The fresh lemon juice is the perfect addition to compliment the peppery flavor from the arugula, heat from the red peppers and of course, the garlic. Just because you’re eating pasta doesn’t mean you can’t make it healthy, this dish is very light with a strong zing in every bite.



Ingredients

  • 2 cups uncooked orecchiette (or another short pasta)

  • 7 raw, large shrimp

  • 2 handfuls arugula

  • 3 cloves garlic, minced

  • ½ sweet onion, diced

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil

  • 2 tablespoons crushed red pepper

  • 1 lemon, juiced

  • ½ reserved pasta water

  • Salt

Instructions

  1. Have your shrimp ready: thawed (if previously frozen), deveined, and cut. I like to slice the shrimp by butterflying them lengthwise, creating two identical pieces. *This makes it look like there’s more shrimp and it looks pretty once cooked because they curl. Set aside.

  2. Start boiling water for pasta.

  3. In the meantime, using a large pan heat olive oil and 1 tablespoon crushed red pepper over medium heat for about a minute. Add onions and saute about another minute or so.

  4. Add shrimp, sprinkle with salt. After about they minute as they are starting to turn pink, give them a stir so they flip over to otherside. Sprinkle a little more salt and add garlic to pan. Reduce heat to medium low.

  5. Pasta should be about done by now. Before you strain the pasta, save ½ cup and pour into a small bowl, then add fresh lemon juice.

  6. Shrimp should pink and fully cooked. Add arugula to pan and pour pasta water and lemon juice over top. Stir, cook until arugula is wilted.

  7. Strain pasta and then add to pan.

  8. Drizzle with a little extra virgin olive oil and add some more crushed red pepper. Give a stir, sauce should reduce a little a thicken up quickly.

  9. Serve immediately.


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Seafood, PastaDanielle SimoneComment