Shrimp and Vegetable Pasta with Olive Oil and Garlic

Ingredients

• Shrimp 5 oz
• Whole wheat pasta 1 cup cooked
• Zucchini 1/2 cup
• Cherry tomatoes 1/2 cup
• Spinach 1/2 cup
• Olive oil 1 tbsp
• Garlic 1 clove

Method

1. Prepare Ingredients. Wash the zucchini, cherry tomatoes, and spinach thoroughly. Slice the zucchini into thin rounds, halve the cherry tomatoes, and roughly chop the spinach if the leaves are large. Peel and devein the shrimp if not already done. Mince the garlic clove finely.
   Tip: Dry the vegetables well after washing to avoid excess water in the pan.
2. Cook Whole Wheat Pasta. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add whole wheat pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, usually about 8-10 minutes. Drain the pasta, reserving about 1/4 cup of pasta water, and set aside.
   Tip: Reserve some pasta water to loosen the sauce later if needed.
3. Sauté Garlic in Olive Oil. Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned to avoid bitterness.
   Tip: Keep stirring the garlic to prevent it from burning.
4. Cook Shrimp. Add the shrimp to the skillet with garlic and olive oil. Cook for 2-3 minutes on each side until the shrimp turn pink and opaque. Remove the shrimp from the skillet and set aside.
   Tip: Do not overcrowd the pan; cook shrimp in a single layer for even cooking.
5. Sauté Vegetables. In the same skillet, add zucchini slices and cook for 3 minutes until slightly tender. Add cherry tomatoes and spinach, cooking for another 2 minutes until spinach wilts and tomatoes soften.
   Tip: If the pan looks dry, add a splash of the reserved pasta water to help steam the vegetables.
6. Combine Pasta, Shrimp, and Vegetables. Return the cooked shrimp to the skillet with the vegetables. Add the cooked whole wheat pasta and toss everything together gently. If needed, add a little reserved pasta water to loosen the mixture and coat the pasta evenly with olive oil and garlic.
   Tip: Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if desired.
7. Serve. Transfer the shrimp and vegetable pasta to a plate or bowl. Optionally, garnish with freshly chopped parsley or a sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese.
   Tip: Serve immediately while warm for best flavor and texture.

Pro tips

• Use fresh garlic and good quality extra virgin olive oil for the best flavor.
• Cook shrimp just until pink to keep them tender and juicy.