Have you ever had a good Shrimp Marinara? Delicious Shrimp Marinara is a terrific recipe for busy weeknights when you want something fresh on the table in 30 minutes. My father used to always make Shrimp Marinara but after I had a version at Tony DiNapoli’s this spring before a Broadway show, I decided to try to make it myself. It came out amazing and it was surprisingly quick to make. You’ll love making this Shrimp Marinara over Spaghetti!
Ingredients:
- 2 lbs large wild caught shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, crushed or minced
- 1 medium onion, chopped (my kids like tiny specs of onions, but your kids may be able to handle bigger pieces)
- 2 jars marinara sauce
- 1/2 cup dry white wine (optional)
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped or 1 teaspoon dried
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped or 1 teaspoon dried
- 12 oz (340g) spaghetti or your favorite pasta (we usually default to whole wheat)
- Grated Parmesan cheese, for serving
Instructions:
Prepare the Shrimp:
Start by rinsing the shrimp under cold water, then pat them dry with paper towels. Season the shrimp with a pinch of salt and pepper.
Cook the Pasta:
In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
Sauté the Shrimp:
In a large skillet or sauté pan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and chopped onion, and cook until the onion is soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. Be careful not to burn the garlic as it can turn bitter. Then sauté the shrimp until it turns from opaque to pink. This should only take a few minutes. Be careful not to overcook the shrimp, as they can become tough and rubbery. Set it aside.
Cook the Sauce:
Pour in the marinara sauce. If you’re using white wine, add it now. This will enhance the flavor of the sauce with a touch of acidity and depth. Add the oregano, basil, and red pepper flakes. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Let the sauce simmer for about 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens slightly.
Combine and Serve:
Stir in the fresh parsley and basil into the sauce. Add the cooked pasta to the pan, tossing to coat the pasta evenly with the sauce. If the sauce is too thick, you can add a little bit of the reserved pasta water to reach your desired consistency.
Garnish and Enjoy:
Serve the shrimp marinara hot, topped with grated Parmesan cheese. Garnish with additional fresh basil and parsley if desired.
Tips and Information:
- Shrimp Selection: Fresh or frozen shrimp can be used for this recipe. If using frozen shrimp, make sure they are fully thawed before cooking. Shrimp are available in various sizes; for this recipe, large shrimp are preferable, but medium can also work.
- Tomatoes: Crushed tomatoes provide a perfect balance of texture and flavor for the sauce. You can also use whole peeled tomatoes and crush them yourself for a chunkier texture.
- Wine: The addition of dry white wine adds a subtle complexity to the sauce. If you prefer not to use wine, you can substitute with chicken or vegetable broth.
- Herbs: Fresh herbs like basil and parsley enhance the freshness of the dish. Dried herbs are used for a more concentrated flavor during cooking, while fresh herbs are added at the end for their bright, fresh notes.
- Pasta: Spaghetti is a classic choice for shrimp marinara, but other pasta shapes like linguine or fettuccine work well too. The key is to use a pasta that can hold the sauce effectively. We prefer whole wheat pasta in my house, especially spaghetti, so that’s what I usually serve it with.
- Serving Suggestions: Serve shrimp marinara with a side of garlic bread or a simple green salad. This helps balance the meal and adds some variety to the texture and flavor.
- Nutritional Information: This dish is a great source of protein from the shrimp and provides vitamins and antioxidants from the tomatoes and herbs. Using whole-grain pasta can increase the fiber content.
By following this recipe, you’ll create a delicious and satisfying shrimp marinara that’s perfect for a family dinner or an elegant meal to impress your guests. Enjoy the vibrant flavors and the rich aroma of this classic Italian dish!
Servings: 4
Preparation Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 20 minutes
BUY:
11-Inch All-in-One Nonstick Cast Pan, 4.4-Quart Capacity
or
Cook N Home 4-Piece 8 Quart Multipots, Stainless Steel Pasta Cooker Steamer
Olive Oil
Wild Caught Shrimp
Oregano
Red Pepper Flakes
Marinara Sauce
Dry White Cooking Wine
Fresh Parsley
Fresh Basil
Parmesan
Shrimp Marinara
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 lbs large wild caught shrimp peeled and deveined
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic crushed or minced
- 1 medium onion chopped (my kids like tiny specs of onions, but your kids may be able to handle bigger pieces)
- 2 jars marinara sauce
- 1/2 cup dry white wine optional
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes optional, for heat
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley chopped or 1 teaspoon dried
- 1/4 cup fresh basil chopped or 1 teaspoon dried
- 12 oz spaghetti or your favorite pasta (we usually default to whole wheat)
- Grated Parmesan cheese for serving
Instructions
- Prepare the Shrimp:
- Start by rinsing the shrimp under cold water, then pat them dry with paper towels. Season the shrimp with a pinch of salt and pepper.
- Cook the Pasta:
- In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Sauté the Shrimp:
- In a large skillet or sauté pan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and chopped onion, and cook until the onion is soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. Be careful not to burn the garlic as it can turn bitter. Then sauté the shrimp until it turns from opaque to pink. This should only take a few minutes. Be careful not to overcook the shrimp, as they can become tough and rubbery. Set it aside.
- Cook the Sauce:
- Pour in the marinara sauce. If you’re using white wine, add it now. This will enhance the flavor of the sauce with a touch of acidity and depth. Add the oregano, basil, and red pepper flakes. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Let the sauce simmer for about 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens slightly
- Combine and Serve:
- Stir in the fresh parsley and basil into the sauce. Add the cooked pasta to the pan, tossing to coat the pasta evenly with the sauce. If the sauce is too thick, you can add a little bit of the reserved pasta water to reach your desired consistency.
- Garnish and Enjoy:
- Serve the shrimp marinara hot, topped with grated Parmesan cheese. Garnish with additional fresh basil and parsley if desired.
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