Creamy • Fresh • Comforting • Quick
1️⃣🍤 Shrimp Alfredo Pasta (Creamy & Easy)
Rich, garlicky, and ready in ~25 minutes
Ingredients
8–12 oz pasta penne
1 lb large shrimp, peeled & deveined
2 tbsp olive oil or butter
3 tbsp butter
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup heavy cream
1 cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
¼ cup reserved pasta water
Salt & black pepper, to taste
Optional: pinch nutmeg, parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Boil in well-salted water until al dente. Reserve ¼ cup pasta water, then drain.
- Season shrimp with salt & pepper. Heat olive oil/butter in a skillet over medium-high. Cook shrimp 1–2 minutes per side until pink. Remove and set aside.
- Lower heat to medium. Melt butter; add garlic and sauté 30 seconds (don’t brown). Stir in cream and simmer 3–4 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Reduce heat to low. Add Parmesan gradually, stirring until smooth. Loosen with pasta water as needed.
- Add pasta and shrimp. Toss until coated and glossy.
- Season to taste; add a tiny pinch of nutmeg if using. Garnish with parsley.
2️⃣🍅 Creamy Tomato Pasta (Fast & Easy)
Comforting, rich, and ready in 20 minutes
Ingredients
8–12 oz pasta (penne, rigatoni, or spaghetti)
2 tbsp olive oil or butter
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup crushed tomatoes
3/4 cup heavy cream
¼ cup reserved pasta water
1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
Salt & black pepper, to taste
Red pepper flakes
Fresh basil or parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Boil in well-salted water until al dente. Reserve ¼ cup pasta water, then drain.
- Heat oil/butter in a skillet over medium. Add garlic; sauté 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Stir in crushed tomatoes. Simmer 5 minutes.
- Lower heat; add cream and pasta water. Stir until smooth and gently bubbling.
- Add pasta and Parmesan. Toss until glossy and coated.
- Adjust salt, pepper, and chili flakes. Garnish with herbs.
3️⃣🍤 Shrimp Scampi Pasta
Bright, garlicky, buttery • Ready in ~20 minutes
Ingredients
8–12 oz pasta (linguine, spaghetti, or penne)
1 lb large shrimp, peeled & deveined
3 tbsp butter
2 tbsp olive oil
5–6 cloves garlic, minced
½ cup dry white wine
1 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
Zest of 1 lemon
2–3 tbsp fresh lemon juice
¼ cup reserved pasta water
Salt & black pepper, to taste
2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
1/2 cup grated Parmesan (optional)
Instructions
- Boil pasta in well-salted water until al dente. Reserve ¼ cup pasta water, then drain.
- Season shrimp with salt & pepper. Heat olive oil + 1 tbsp butter in a large skillet over medium-high. Cook shrimp 1–2 minutes per side until just pink. Remove and set aside.
- Lower heat to medium. Add remaining butter, garlic, and red pepper flakes. Sauté 30–60 seconds until fragrant (do not brown).
- Stir in white wine, lemon zest, lemon juice, and pasta water.
- Add pasta and shrimp back to the skillet. Toss until glossy and coated. Add Parmesan if using toss until coated.
- Sprinkle with parsley. Taste and adjust salt, pepper, or lemon.
4️⃣🍅 Caprese Pasta (Fresh & Easy)
Ready in 20 minutes • Light, fresh, and perfect warm or cold
Ingredients
12 oz penne pasta
2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
2 cups fresh mozzarella balls (bocconcini/ciliegine), halved if large
¼ cup olive oil
2 cloves garlic, finely minced (optional)
¼ cup fresh basil leaves, torn
1–2 tbsp balsamic glaze (optional, for drizzle)
2 tsp Italian seasoning
Salt & black pepper, to taste
Red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Boil penne in well-salted water until al dente. Reserve ¼ cup pasta water, then drain.
- Gently warm olive oil with garlic over low heat for 30–60 seconds (do not brown). Remove from heat.
- Toss hot pasta with olive oil (and a splash of pasta water if needed).
- Fold in tomatoes, mozzarella, Italian seasoning, basil, salt, and pepper.
- Drizzle with balsamic glaze if using. Serve warm or at room temp.
5️⃣🌿 Pesto Mozzarella Penne Pasta (Easy & Fresh)
Ready in 20 minutes • Great warm or cold
Ingredients
12 oz penne pasta
1 cup basil pesto (jarred or homemade)
2 cups fresh mozzarella balls (bocconcini or ciliegine), halved if large
2–3 tbsp olive oil (optional, for extra gloss)
¼ cup reserved pasta water
Salt & black pepper, to taste
Red pepper flakes (optional)
Fresh basil leaves, for garnish
Parmesan cheese for serving
Optional add-ins: cherry tomatoes, spinach, grilled chicken, shrimp
Instructions
- Boil penne in well-salted water until al dente. Reserve ¼ cup pasta water, then drain.
- While pasta is hot, add pesto, olive oil,and reserved pasta water. Toss until evenly coated and glossy.
- Gently fold in mozzarella (off heat so it softens but doesn’t melt fully).
- Taste and adjust with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes.
- Garnish with fresh basil. Serve warm or chill for a pasta salad. Add Parmesan cheese when serving.
