Description
A light and flavorful Garlic Butter Capellini Pomodoro with succulent shrimp, fresh tomatoes, and fragrant basil all tossed in a rich garlic butter sauce. This elegant yet quick Italian-inspired pasta dish combines tender shrimp with a vibrant, homemade tomato sauce and delicate capellini pasta, topped with Parmesan cheese for a perfect weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Shrimp
- 1 lb. large shrimp
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
- Olive oil, for the pan
Sauce
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 cups diced fresh tomatoes or halved cherry tomatoes
- 2 cups chicken or vegetable broth
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves, cut or torn into small pieces
- Salt, to taste
Pasta and Garnish
- 8 ounces DeLallo capellini
- Parmesan cheese, for topping
Instructions
- Cook the Shrimp: Heat a small amount of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Season the shrimp with salt and pepper. Add shrimp to the skillet and cook until they turn pink and opaque, approximately 2 minutes per side. Remove the shrimp from the skillet and set aside.
- Prepare Garlic Butter Pomodoro Sauce: In the same skillet, add a little more olive oil if needed and reduce heat to medium-low. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant. Add the diced fresh tomatoes and broth to the skillet and allow to simmer for about 10 minutes. This will allow the tomatoes to break down and the sauce to thicken slowly.
- Cook the Capellini: While the sauce simmers, bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook the capellini according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Combine Sauce and Shrimp: Add the butter and fresh basil to the thickened tomato sauce and stir until the butter has melted and combined. If the sauce is not thick enough, keep it on low heat a bit longer to reduce. Season the sauce with additional salt if needed. Return the cooked shrimp to the sauce and warm through gently.
- Serve: Plate the cooked capellini and spoon the shrimp pomodoro sauce over the top. Garnish with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and additional salt and pepper to taste.
Notes
- You can substitute chicken broth with vegetable broth for a vegetarian version without shrimp.
- Using cherry tomatoes will give a sweeter, more concentrated tomato flavor to the sauce.
- For a spicier version, add a pinch of red pepper flakes when sautéing the garlic.
- Serve immediately for the best texture; the capellini tends to absorb sauce and can become mushy if left too long.
- Freshly torn basil is preferred over dried to preserve bright herbal notes.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Keywords: Garlic Butter Capellini, Pomodoro Sauce, Shrimp Pasta, Italian Pasta Recipe, Quick Dinner, Easy Seafood Pasta
