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.
Did you make this recipe? Please give it a star rating below!
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.
kitchenriffs says
Fall is definitely coming – and I can’t wait! My favorite season. It’s not as good here in St. Louis as it is in NYC, but pretty good. Anyway, nice dish. I always buy the frozen shrimp too. In most parts of the country, the “fresh” stuff you see is actually defrosted. High quality frozen seafood usually is better than fresh, unless you live close to an active fishing port. Nice recipe – thanks.
EverydayMaven says
That is really true – I have been lucky to (mostly) live near the Coasts and always have the fresh option available. Especially here in Seattle – this is Seafood heaven!
Faith says
I love all the fresh flavors going on in this dish! I have been on a real shrimp kick lately…I think I’ve had shrimp more in the past 2 weeks than I have the entire rest of the year, lol! I think I need to make this! 🙂
EverydayMaven says
I go through shrimp phases too Faith. I still have your Jumbo Shrimp Burgers on my to-make list. Maybe this weekend when we grill for Labor Day!
Miriam says
Wow – the pictures you’re making look truly stunning. Now I’m hungry 😀
I have to make it soon.
Have a nice week! 🙂
EverydayMaven says
Thanks Miriam – I hope you love it 🙂
Amanda says
What a fabulous recipe! I love the flavour combination and it looks just spectacular. 🙂
EverydayMaven says
Thanks Amanda! 🙂
Eha says
Your recipe has that wonderful fresh look about it and I’ll follow it exactly after my ‘shop’ on Friday! Funny how things are different in different countries: in Australia, at least out my way, if one watches the specials, the prawns [shrimp] etc from behind the counter are always way cheaper than what is in the freezer, ditto prepacked chicken parts, fish etc . . .
EverydayMaven says
Let me know how you like it!
Shut Up and Cook says
Don’t worry lady…September is GORGEOUS here!
EverydayMaven says
I am holding you to it!
Norma Chang says
This sure is a quick and easy meal to put together.
EverydayMaven says
Thanks Norma! Are you growing grape or cherry tomatoes in addition to your large varieties?
Norma Chang says
Due to limited space, I did not grow grape or cherry tomatoes this year, next year I will grow them again.,
Laura (Tutti Dolci) says
What a great pasta dish! I love the spicy shrimp paired with the fresh tomato sauce!
EverydayMaven says
It is one of my favorites and something I love to make every summer 🙂
Eileen says
This sounds like a perfect quick lunch! How have I managed to eat almost no shrimp for the entire summer? Clearly I have to remedy this before fall really starts!
EverydayMaven says
What? You have to make some Shrimp! How about these Old Bay Shrimp – that screams summer!
Joanne says
As much as I don’t want to admit it, I can definitely feel fall on the horizon here as well. Even though it’s been REALLY hot still during the day, at night it is just downright cold! It’s really weird. I love the fresh flavors of this pasta and I need to check out that pasta brand!
EverydayMaven says
Autumn and Fall in NYC are magnificent – maybe the best season there. I may have to come shack up with you for the next couple of months!