Description
This healthy shrimp and asparagus pasta recipe is a quick and flavorful meal perfect for weeknights. Featuring tender farfalle pasta, sautéed asparagus, and juicy shrimp, all tossed in a light lemon and garlic sauce with parmesan and fresh parsley, it’s a balanced dish that combines fresh ingredients with simple cooking techniques.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 8 ounces farfalle (bow tie) pasta
Vegetables
- 1 bunch asparagus (ends trimmed, cut into bite-size pieces)
- 4 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley (chopped)
Seafood
- 1 pound medium shrimp (thawed and peeled, tails on optional)
Other Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice + zest from 1/2 lemon
- 1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
- Salt & pepper (to taste)
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Boil a large pot of salted water and cook the farfalle pasta al dente according to package directions. This ensures the pasta maintains a firm texture perfect for tossing with the sautéed ingredients.
- Prep Ingredients: While the pasta cooks, trim and cut the asparagus into bite-size pieces, mince the garlic, zest and juice the lemon, and chop the fresh parsley so everything is ready to go.
- Sauté Asparagus: Heat olive oil and lemon juice plus zest in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the asparagus and sauté for 2 minutes, stirring frequently to cook evenly but keep the asparagus crisp.
- Cook Shrimp and Garlic: Add the shrimp and minced garlic to the skillet. Cover the pan, reduce heat to medium, and cook for 3 minutes. Check to ensure shrimp are no longer gray; if needed, cover and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes without overcooking to retain juiciness.
- Combine and Finish: Stir in parmesan cheese, fresh parsley, and 1 tablespoon of reserved pasta water to create a smooth sauce. Drain the pasta and add it to the skillet. Season with salt and pepper to taste, and add an extra squeeze of lemon juice if desired. Toss everything together and serve immediately.
Notes
- Be careful not to overcook the shrimp; they turn opaque when done.
- Save pasta water to help bind the sauce and improve consistency.
- Use freshly grated parmesan for best flavor.
- This dish can be customized with other vegetables like peas or cherry tomatoes.
- For a lighter version, reduce olive oil or parmesan amount.
