As much as I don’t want to admit it, the change of seasons is coming. I am beginning to feel a certain crispness in the air – particularly in the morning. I am approaching this with trepidation. When I lived on the East Coast, I used to not only long for but look forward to Autumn and then Fall but now it sort of scares me.
That probably sounds a bit dramatic but I am just not used to this Pacific Northwest weather and as wonderful and beautiful as the {short} summers are is as long and grey as the rest of the year seems to me. So scared that the beautiful blue skies, romantic sunsets and glistening bodies of water filled with boats will soon be mere memories replaced by an onslaught of grey mornings, wet playgrounds, fleece and flannel.
I am just not ready for that yet. So I am holding onto summer as tightly as I can.
This dish has always reminded me of summer as it is based on something my mom used to make. I remember eating it in our dining room on hot summer nights while the air-conditioning blew crisp, arctic air on our backs. Could she have made it in Spring or Fall? Probably, I just don’t remember so this is my association.
I lightened it up a bit and also used whole-wheat pasta and it was as delicious as ever. Fast, fabulous and filling – a great weeknight dinner!
So for now, I am going to take my bowl of summer pasta, cold glass of chardonnay and tank top and go sit outside and eat.
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Spicy Shrimp Artichoke Pasta Fresh Tomato Sauce
- 5 medium cloves garlic finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons + 1/2 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 pound grape or cherry tomatoes halved
- 1/4 teaspoon + 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 teaspoon + 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- freshly ground black pepper
- 12- ounce package frozen artichoke hearts thawed
- 1 pound large Shrimp peeled and deveined
- 1/4 cup white wine
- 12- ounces whole wheat Rigatoni + 1/4 cup pasta cooking water
- 1 cup parsley leaves roughly chopped
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Rinse the artichoke hearts with cold water, drain and set aside to thaw as you complete the remaining prep work.
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Put up a large pot of (heavily) salted water to boil for the pasta. Finely chop the garlic, divide the olive oil into 2 tablespoons and 1/2 tablespoon. Halve the tomatoes. I like to cut them in half crosswise instead of lengthwise. Not sure this makes a huge difference but I think they break down a bit easier.
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Clean shrimp if needed (make sure to peel, remove tails and devein). See NOTES for my easy way out of this. Roughly chop the parsley (mostly leaves), measure and set aside.
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Heat a very large skillet (needs to be large enough for sauce and pasta) over medium heat. Once hot, add 2 tablespoons of olive oil and then garlic. Cook garlic, stirring, for 30 to 45 seconds until fragrant.
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Toss in tomatoes, 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, 1 teaspoon kosher salt and a generous amount of freshly ground black pepper. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until tomatoes start to break down.
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Pasta water should be rapidly boiling by now - this is a great time to start cooking the pasta. Cook pasta according to directions on box minus one minute since we are going to finish cooking it in our sauce.
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Add the artichokes to the tomatoes, cook an additional 3 to 5 minutes until heated through.
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Raise the heat to high, add in the shrimp, white wine, remaining 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes and remaining 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt. Cook 4 to 5 minutes until shrimp are just cooked and sauce is bubbling. If pasta is not done yet, briefly remove the shrimp mixture from the heat and set aside.
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When pasta is done, reserve about 1/4 cup of cooking liquid. I just take a heat-proof cup and dip it in.
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Drain pasta and add to shrimp mixture along with one or two spoonfuls of pasta cooking water to loosen up the sauce {I used 2 spoonfuls using the wooden spoon that you see 2 pictures ago as measure}.Finish cooking pasta in the sauce over high heat for 1 to 2 minutes, stirring.
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Remove from heat, stir in parsley and remaining 1/2 tablespoon olive oil.
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Serve and Enjoy!
Did you make this recipe? Tag @EverydayMaven on Instagram with the hashtag #EveryDayMaven and please give a star rating below.
Gene says
I just cooked this, awesome!
I used what I had on hand, penned pasta and diced tomatoes. Still looks the same, the flavors were delicious.
Gene says
Should be penne pasta…
EverydayMaven says
So great to hear Gene!! Thanks 🙂
Gene says
I will be trying your recipe again using the Rigatoni and fresh tomatoes. We really enjoyed the dish.
Anni says
This looks a-ma-zing. And even better that it can be frozen & heated up later. (Another recipe to add to my once-a-month-cooking aspirations.)
EverydayMaven says
Thank Anni – I hope you love it!
Debbie says
Hi, this looks delicious! Can you tell me how you freeze this and reheat?
EverydayMaven says
Hi Debbie,
I freeze this after cooking (and cooling) then reheat in the microwave!
Scott says
Are you sure you have the points right? 🙂 This is a great meal that just happens to be healthy? Most of the ingredients I always have hanging around or in the garden, so it’s great. We love garlic too. Unfortunately your spiciness (red pepper flakes) and mine are not in sync with my wife’s, so I have to tone it down a bit and add my own to my plate…Just a quick question though, is your 1 lb measurement of shrimp before or after the shrimp is peeled and tail removed? Great recipe once again.
EverydayMaven says
That is exactly how I approach ALL of my food Scott so thank you – I love hearing that!
Asmita says
All of my favorite stuff in here. Pasta, shrimp and artichokes. Your dish looks so flavorful!
EverydayMaven says
Thanks Asmita – if you love these flavors, you are going to really enjoy them together in this dish!