Description
Sizzling garlic butter shrimp and sausage skillet pasta brings Mediterranean flavors straight to your dinner table. Hearty ingredients mingle in one pan, creating a quick, satisfying meal that promises restaurant-quality taste with minimal cleanup and maximum enjoyment.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 1/2 pound (226 grams) shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1/2 pound (226 grams) smoked sausage, sliced
Pasta and Base:
- 8 ounces (226 grams) fettuccine or spaghetti
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/4 cup chicken broth
Seasonings and Garnish:
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Boil the pasta in salted water according to package directions until al dente, carefully preserving 1/2 cup of starchy cooking liquid before draining.
- Sear shrimp in a hot skillet with olive oil over medium-high heat for 2-3 minutes per side until they transform into a vibrant pink color, then transfer to a separate plate.
- In the same skillet, caramelize sausage slices, allowing them to develop a rich golden-brown exterior for approximately 3-4 minutes.
- Lower the heat and introduce butter to the pan, creating a silky base. Infuse the melted butter with minced garlic and optional red pepper flakes, stirring until an aromatic fragrance emerges.
- Deglaze the skillet by pouring in chicken broth and reserved pasta water, creating a harmonious liquid foundation. Allow the mixture to simmer and slightly reduce for 2 minutes.
- Reunite the cooked pasta, seared shrimp, and browned sausage in the skillet, gently tossing to ensure each ingredient is evenly coated with the luxurious garlic butter sauce.
- Finish the dish by scattering freshly grated Parmesan cheese and chopped parsley over the top, serving immediately while piping hot.
Notes
- Select quick-cooking shrimp to prevent overcooking and maintain tender texture.
- Use spicy Italian sausage for deeper flavor complexity and added heat.
- Adjust red pepper flakes quantity based on personal spice tolerance, creating customizable heat levels.
- Rinse pasta immediately after draining to prevent sticking and maintain ideal sauce absorption.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 540 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 720 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 11 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 150 mg