Pasta with Spicy Garlic Shrimp & Burst Grape Tomatoes makes for a lovely weeknight meal as our carefree days of summer wane.
When I go too long without a comfy plate of pasta, I get the shakes.
More often than not, in the summertime, pasta (for me) is served up in the form of a salad. Macaroni with tuna and sweet peas, antipasto salad, fresh pesto and pine nuts, caprese-style…. All good. Delicious, actually. But when I need a warm plate of pasta – no other dish will do.
It’s a rare occurrence that I make a pot of sauce and meatballs during the balmy days of summer. The thought of firing up the stove and simmering sauce all day also means not veering too far from the kitchen – which, let’s face it – when the sun shines, the light of day beckons, and I must go!
So here’s my story. What began as a mild tremble in my fingertips ended with a gorgeous plate of pasta with burst grape tomato sauce and spicy garlic shrimp. It’s not Sunday sauce, but we can never go wrong with burst grape (or cherry) tomato sauce during these final hazy days of summer. And come on – spicy garlic shrimp? Yes!
I’m using organic locally grown grape tomatoes here, which really are the star of the show. If you can get your hands on them – I recommend you do! Fresh is best! And seasonal is where it is at!
INGREDIENTS FOR THIS SPICY PASTA DISH:
-
- olive oil
- crushed red pepper
- garlic
- grape tomatoes
- pasta
- shrimp
- parsley
- Parmigiano-Reggiano
- salt & pepper
COOK’S NOTES FOR PASTA WITH SPICY GARLIC SHRIMP & BURST GRAPE TOMATOES:
- Feel free to substitute cherry tomatoes for the grape tomatoes. Cherry tomatoes are a little larger with a thinner skin, but also cook down beautifully.
- Please, please, puh-lease make sure the pasta is al dente! It drives the experience! No mushy pasta for us!
- Feel free to use any noodle, though, good old-fashioned spaghetti is my favorite here.
- Don’t be afraid to go crazy with the parsley and the Parm! I always do! 😉
- Sop up that heavenly herby oil with a nice hunk of crusty Italian bread. You’ll be glad you did!
If you decide to give Pasta with Spicy Garlic Shrimp & Burst Grape Tomatoes a whirl – I’d love your feedback and photos! Tag @ciaochowbambina on Instagram, or share to my Pinterest and Facebook page!
MORE RECIPES WITH BURST TOMATOES:
Parsley Pesto & Burst Heirloom Cherry Tomato Crostini
Buon Appetito!
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Pasta with Spicy Garlic Shrimp & Burst Grape Tomatoes
Description
Pasta with Spicy Garlic Shrimp & Burst Grape Tomatoes makes for a lovely weeknight meal as our carefree days of summer wane.
Ingredients
5 Tbsp olive oil plus more for drizzling
1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
4 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 1/2 lbs grape tomatoes (or cherry tomatoes)
1 lb dried pasta, I used spaghetti
1 lb raw medium shrimp, shelled
3 Tbsp chopped fresh parsley plus more for garnish
Freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano
Salt & black pepper, to taste
Instructions
Heat olive oil in a skillet.
Add red pepper flakes and garlic. Cook over high heat until garlic has become light golden in color.
Add tomatoes and cook, stirring constantly until they lose their round shape and have become tender.
In the meantime, cook pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water, until al dente.
Next, add shrimp to the tomatoes. Cook, stirring constantly, until pink and firm, 2 – 3 minutes.
Drain pasta and add straight to the pot of sauce with chopped parsley.
Toss well.
Finish with more chopped parsley, a drizzle of olive oil, grated Parm, and salt and pepper to taste.
Serve immediately.
Am I the only commenter who has tried this recipe? Well, it’s simple, quick and good. However, I could have used more direction on cooking the tomatoes. My home-grown cherry tomatoes are a little thick-skinned, so cooking them took a while – too long for the garlic/pepper flakes. Should I have turned down the heat? To help with the dryness, I lifted the pasta in directly from its pan, and topped the dish w/extra olive oil as suggested.
I’m glad you liked it. I guess I would recommend starting with tomatoes in the olive oil until they’re cooked to your preference, and then add the spices.
Hi Annie I googled for a pasta dish and this came up, sounds delicious and I happen to have all the ingredients, my question is I’m making it for two, should I just keep to the recipe or try to make less?
Hi Marsha, 1 lb. of pasta feeds 4, comfortably. You could cut the recipe in half, or look forward to some yummy leftovers! 😉 Thanks for your question!
Grape tomatoes bursting at the seams makes this dish literally pop! Amazing dish!
Yaaaas! Bursting at the seams! Delicious! Thanks, Kevin! How’s the new house?!
Wowowowow, Annie!! This looks absolutely mouthwatering! SO delicious yet simple! It’s calling my name! Perfect use for those last few batches of Summer tomatoes! YUM!
I can’t think of a better way to use them! thank you, my friend!
Beautiful. And such a perfect example of simple Italian food made with lovely ingredients. Some of my grape/cherry tomatoes have a thick skin this year, unfortunately, so I’ve had to turn them into sauce…
Oh yummm – nothin’ wrong with that! Thanks, Mimi!!
I too get the shakes if I don’t have pasta for a while, Annie! Love how simple and healthy this is and how quickly it all comes together. And such a pretty recipe too!
Heheheheh! I knew I couldn’t be alone! Enjoy, my friend!
Annie, this pasta looks delectable! My pasta cravings never subside and this would definitely hit the spot. Love the burst tomatoes!
Burst tomatoes are a favorite go-to! So fresh and delish! Thanks, friend!
OH YES! This is absolutely my kinda pasta meal. I don’t like the tomato or cheese loaded spaghetti but with these cherry tomatoes, it’s perfect. Looks so pretty!
Thank you so much, Kankana! This is a nice light pasta dish, for sure!
This really does look so perfect for date night, Annie! Such a beautiful pasta dish. What is it about pasta that’s so romantic!?
Pasta, coffee….the romance… 🙂
Annie, you always have the best tomato recipes! We loved that skillet gnocchi and I would most definitely love this shrimp tomato pasta! The hubs would pick out the shrimp but that would mean more for me!
I like the way you think…more shrimp for you!! 😉 Thanks, friend! 🙂
This is my kind of dish Annie! I’m a huge fan of shrimp and all things tomato! Bet our son Sean would LOVE it too. Pinned and so excited to get it on our menu!
This is just a nice plate of pasta! Thank you, friend!
I really need to stop visiting your site before breakfast because now I want pasta instead of yogurt. This looks so good, Annie!
Hahahah! Sorry ’bout that! 😉 Hopefully you added a little granola! 🙂
I’m with you on loving pasta all year, a hearty ragu in the cold months and delicate delicious sauces like this when it’s warm out. I love how burst tomatoes create their own silky sauce and spicy garlic shrimp? Yes please!!
You can never go wrong with pasta! Any which way! Thanks, friend!
Lol! I get the shakes too when it’s been too long since pasta 🙂 And this is a great way to enjoy it this time of year. Absolutely perfect!
Thank you, Jennifer!
My pasta cravings never subside… so year round it is! Warm or chilled, no matter. It’s pure comfort food! I’m loving those burst grape tomatoes!
Pure comfort… I am with you – year round it is! Thanks, Traci!
Spicy garlic shrimp with fresh grape tomatoes and spaghetti is exactly what we’ll be having for dinner tonight thanks to you:) Looks so good I can hardly wait. Pinned!
Yayyy! Enjoy! Glad I could help with ‘What’s for dinner?”
I get all giddy about pasta too! And any type of tomatoes with pasta is right up my alley! Love the addition of shrimp, too, for extra oomph. And don’t ya just love saying ‘burst grape tomatoes’?? So fun! Pinned! Happy almost weekend, my friend.XOXO
Shrimp really does give it that extra oomph! Thanks for stopping by! Have a great weekend, my friend! xoxo
That screams summer, even though it is hot. I’m not picky when it comes to my pasta. Hot? Cold? Yes, please!! I love grape tomatoes. I find so many uses for them. That reminds me, I have to pick some up. Love your photos – makes me want to grab a fork and dig in. How are you?? Hope all is well !! Un abbraccio forte!
Hahaha! So true – summer sizzlin’! I wish I could just go out back and pick some tomatoes! Thanks for your kind words; I am doing well, thank you! How are you, dear? xo
Those burst grape tomatoes – divine, Annie! I can imagine just how delicious they would be alongside the shrimp. This is my kind of pasta dish for sure 🙂
It makes for a very lovely bite!! Thanks, friend!