Imagine twirling your fork into a steaming plate of perfectly cooked bucatini pasta, glistening with golden olive oil, studded with succulent pink shrimp, and bursting with the irresistible aroma of garlic and herbs. This isn't just another pasta dish—this is a culinary journey that transforms simple ingredients into an extraordinary Italian-inspired masterpiece that will transport you straight to the coastal regions of Italy with every single bite!
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 15 mins
Total Time: 25 mins
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 12 oz bucatini pasta
- 1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1/4 cup parsley, chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Begin by gathering all your ingredients: 12 oz of bucatini pasta, 1 lb of peeled and deveined shrimp, 4 cloves of minced garlic, 1/4 cup of olive oil, 1/4 teaspoon of red pepper flakes, 1/4 cup of chopped parsley, and salt and pepper to taste.
- Fill a large pot with water, add a generous amount of salt, and bring it to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, add the bucatini pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, usually around 8-10 minutes.
- While the pasta is cooking, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1-2 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent burning, until the garlic is fragrant and lightly golden.
- Next, add the shrimp to the skillet. Sprinkle in the red pepper flakes, and season with salt and pepper to taste. Cook the shrimp for about 3-4 minutes, or until they turn pink and opaque, stirring occasionally to ensure even cooking.
- Once the shrimp are cooked, reduce the heat to low. When the bucatini is done cooking, reserve about 1/2 cup of the pasta water, then drain the pasta.
- Add the drained bucatini directly into the skillet with the garlic shrimp. Toss everything together gently to combine, adding reserved pasta water a little at a time if the mixture seems dry. This will help create a light sauce that clings to the pasta.
- Finally, remove the skillet from heat and stir in the chopped parsley. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.
- Serve the Garlic Shrimp Bucatini Pasta immediately, garnished with extra parsley or a sprinkle of red pepper flakes if desired. Enjoy your delicious Italian meal!
Tips
- Use Fresh Ingredients: The quality of your shrimp and garlic dramatically impacts the final dish's flavor. Always opt for fresh, high-quality seafood.
- Don't Overcook the Shrimp: Cook shrimp just until they turn pink and opaque to prevent rubbery texture. This usually takes only 3-4 minutes.
- Reserve Pasta Water: The starchy pasta water is liquid gold for creating a silky sauce that clings perfectly to your bucatini.
- Time Your Cooking: Start cooking shrimp when pasta is almost done to ensure everything is hot and fresh when served.
- Customize Your Heat: Adjust red pepper flakes to match your spice preference. More flakes mean more kick!
- Serve Immediately: This dish is best enjoyed hot and fresh, straight from the skillet to the plate.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 548kcal
Carbohydrates: 62g
Protein: 37g
Fat: 18g
Saturated Fat: 3g
Cholesterol: 120mg
