Garlic Butter Shrimp Capellini
Indulge in the delightful combination of perfectly cooked shrimp and delicate capellini pasta, enveloped in a rich, buttery garlic sauce. This Garlic Butter Shrimp Capellini is not only a feast for the senses but also a quick-to-prepare meal that transports you to the sun-drenched coasts of Italy. The balance of heat from the red pepper flakes and the fresh brightness from the parsley elevates this dish, making it the perfect dinner for special occasions or a cozy weekday meal. If you have the chance to try it before I do, your feedback would be invaluable!
N/A
Servings
375
Calories
10
Ingredients
Ingredients
olive oil
1/4 cup (none)
large shrimp
1 lb (peeled and deveined)
garlic cloves
4 large (left unpeeled and forced through a garlic press)
hot red pepper flakes
1/2 teaspoon (none)
dry white wine
1/2 cup (none)
salt
1 teaspoon (none)
black pepper
1/2 teaspoon (none)
unsalted butter
5 tablespoons (none)
capellini (angel-hair pasta)
3/4 lb (none)
fresh flat-leaf parsley
1/2 cup (chopped)
Instructions
1
In a 6- to 8-quart pot, bring salted water to a rapid boil.
2
While the water is heating, pour olive oil into a 12-inch heavy skillet over moderate high heat. Once hot but not smoking, add the shrimp and sauté until they turn pink and are just cooked through, about 2 minutes, turning once. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the shrimp to a large bowl and set aside.
3
In the same skillet with the remaining oil, add the unpeeled garlic cloves and hot red pepper flakes. Sauté for about 1 minute over high heat, stirring occasionally to infuse the flavors. Then, pour in the dry white wine, and season with salt and black pepper. Let this simmer for another minute.
4
Reduce heat slightly, then add the unsalted butter to the skillet. Stir until melted and well incorporated, then add the cooked shrimp back to the skillet. Remove from heat.
5
Once your water is boiling, cook the capellini pasta for about 3 minutes, or until just tender. Be careful not to overcook it.
6
Before draining the pasta, reserve 1 cup of the pasta water. Then drain the pasta in a colander.
7
In the large bowl with the shrimp mixture, toss in the drained capellini and chopped fresh parsley. If the mixture seems dry, add a few tablespoons of the reserved pasta water until you achieve your desired consistency.
8
Serve warm and enjoy your delightful dish!
Nutrition Information
20g
Fat
20g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Garlic Butter Shrimp Capellini?
It is a flavorful Italian-inspired dish consisting of delicate angel-hair pasta and sautéed shrimp tossed in a rich sauce made of garlic, butter, white wine, and red pepper flakes.
How long does it take to cook the shrimp?
The shrimp should be sautéed for about 2 minutes, turning once, until they turn pink and are just cooked through.
What is capellini pasta?
Capellini, also known as angel-hair pasta, is a very thin variety of Italian pasta that cooks quickly, usually in about 3 minutes.
How should I prepare the garlic for this recipe?
Use 4 large garlic cloves, leave them unpeeled, and force them through a garlic press directly into the skillet.
What kind of wine is best for the sauce?
A dry white wine is recommended for this recipe to balance the richness of the butter and olive oil.
How many calories are in a serving of this dish?
This recipe contains approximately 375 calories per serving.
Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?
Yes, but you should adjust the amount of added salt in the recipe to prevent the dish from becoming too salty.
Why do I need to reserve pasta water?
Reserving 1 cup of pasta water allows you to adjust the consistency of the final dish if the pasta and shrimp mixture seems too dry.
What type of shrimp should I buy?
The recipe calls for 1 lb of large shrimp that are already peeled and deveined.
Is this dish spicy?
It has a mild kick from 1/2 teaspoon of hot red pepper flakes, which can be adjusted to your preference.
How much protein is in this meal?
Each serving provides approximately 20g of protein.
What size skillet is recommended?
A 12-inch heavy skillet is best to ensure there is enough room to sauté the shrimp and simmer the sauce.
What kind of parsley should I use?
Fresh flat-leaf parsley is recommended; you will need about 1/2 cup, chopped.
Can I use frozen shrimp?
Yes, as long as they are completely thawed and patted dry before sautéing to ensure they sear properly.
How long does the sauce simmer?
After adding the wine and seasonings, let the sauce simmer for about one minute before adding the butter.
What is the total fat content?
The dish contains approximately 20g of fat per serving.
How much olive oil is used?
The recipe uses 1/4 cup of olive oil for sautéing the shrimp and infusing the garlic.
Can I substitute the white wine?
If you prefer not to use wine, you can substitute it with chicken broth or a splash of lemon juice mixed with pasta water.
Is Garlic Butter Shrimp Capellini a quick meal?
Yes, with a 3-minute pasta cook time and 2-minute shrimp cook time, it is ideal for a fast weekday dinner.
What is the best way to serve this?
It should be served warm, immediately after tossing the pasta with the shrimp and butter sauce.
Should the garlic be peeled?
No, the recipe specifies using unpeeled garlic cloves and forcing them through a press.
How much salt is in the recipe?
The recipe calls for 1 teaspoon of salt, plus whatever is used in the boiling pasta water.
How much pasta is needed?
You will need 3/4 lb of capellini (angel-hair pasta).
Can I add other vegetables to this?
While not in the original recipe, spinach or sautéed cherry tomatoes would pair very well with these flavors.
What is the purpose of the red pepper flakes?
They are used to infuse the oil and provide a subtle heat that balances the buttery sauce.
What size pot do I need for the pasta?
A 6- to 8-quart pot is recommended to bring the salted water to a rapid boil.
How do I prevent the pasta from overcooking?
Because capellini is so thin, only cook it for 3 minutes and check it frequently to ensure it is just tender.
Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
Yes, simply substitute the capellini with your favorite gluten-free thin pasta or zucchini noodles.
Is it okay to use dried parsley?
Fresh parsley provides a brighter flavor, but if using dried, reduce the amount to about 1-2 tablespoons as it is more concentrated.
How do I store leftovers?
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days; reheat gently to avoid overcooking the shrimp.