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Quick Garlic Scapes and Shrimp Pasta

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A fast and flavorful pasta dish featuring tender shrimp and mild garlic scapes, perfect for busy weeknights. This recipe combines simple ingredients to create a fresh, satisfying meal in about 15 minutes.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 ounces (225 g) spaghetti or linguine pasta
  • 1 pound (450 g) raw shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 1 cup (about 100 g) garlic scapes, chopped into 1-inch pieces
  • 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1/2 cup (120 ml) dry white wine or chicken broth
  • Juice of 1 lemon
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
  • Grated Parmesan cheese (optional)

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, usually 8-10 minutes. Reserve about 1/2 cup (120 ml) of pasta water before draining.
  2. While pasta cooks, rinse shrimp under cold water and pat dry with paper towels. Chop garlic scapes into roughly 1-inch pieces.
  3. Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add shrimp in a single layer, season lightly with salt and pepper. Cook about 2 minutes per side until pink and opaque. Remove shrimp from pan and set aside.
  4. Add remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil to the same skillet. Toss in chopped garlic scapes and red pepper flakes if using. Sauté for 2-3 minutes until scapes are tender but still vibrant green.
  5. Pour in white wine or chicken broth to deglaze the pan. Scrape any browned bits from the bottom with a wooden spoon. Let it simmer for 2 minutes to reduce slightly.
  6. Add the drained pasta and shrimp back to the skillet. Toss everything together gently to combine. If the pasta seems dry, add reserved pasta water 1 tablespoon at a time to loosen the sauce.
  7. Remove from heat and stir in lemon juice and chopped parsley. Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed.
  8. Serve immediately with optional grated Parmesan cheese and a drizzle of olive oil.

Notes

Do not overcook shrimp to avoid rubbery texture. Add pasta water gradually to control sauce consistency. Garlic scapes should be sautéed briefly to maintain brightness and slight crunch. Use tongs to toss pasta and shrimp gently.

Nutrition

Keywords: garlic scapes, shrimp pasta, quick dinner, weeknight meal, easy pasta recipe, seafood pasta, garlic shrimp, simple dinner

Find it online: https://magnetmeal.com/quick-garlic-scapes-and-shrimp-pasta-recipe-perfect-for-busy-weeknights/