Shrimp Caprese Pasta is a delicious dish full of color. It is one of those restaurant dishes that is easy-to-make and you can put together in under 30 minutes at home. Give it a try instead of going out for an expensive dinner. Originally an Olive Garden recipe that was inspired by a tour through the northern Veneto and southern Campagna regions of Italy. The chefs of the Olive Garden Restaurants have created this new entree for their menu. Caprese refers to the fresh traditional Italian ingredients of mozzarella cheese, tomato, and basil.
- 1 1/2 pounds Roma tomatoes, cored and cut into 1-inch pieces*
- 20 medium-size fresh basil leaves, stems removed and cut into 1-inch pieces
- 2 tablespoons olive oil, extra-virgin
- 1 tablespoon garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt to taste
- 1 pound raw (26/30 or 21/25) shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 pound capellini (angel hair) pasta
- 2 tablespoon butter
- 1/2 cup white wine
- 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup Parmesan Cheese (Parmigiano-Reggiano), freshly grated
- 2 cups fresh mozzarella cheese, shredded
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Combine tomatoes, basil, olive oil, garlic, Italian Seasoning, and salt in a large bowl; blend thoroughly. Cover, set aside, and marinate for at least 1 hour.
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Either saute or grill the shrimp; cook approximately 2 minutes on one side; turn and cook another 1 minute or until shrimp are opaque in center (cut to test). Remove from grill and set aside.
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NOTE: Shrimp should always be cooked quickly in order to preserve their sweet, delicate flavors. They are very quick to cook, and the flavor can easily be ruined by overcooking. Most shrimp cook in as little as 3 minutes - when they curl and turn pink, they are done. Properly cooked shrimp are firm with a gentle curve shape (like the letter "C").
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Cook pasta according to package directions; drain and return to pan to keep warm. Learn How To Cook Pasta Properly.
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Heat a large, non-stick skillet over medium heat. Add butter and let melt. Stir in white wine and bring just to a boil. Add heavy cream and Parmesan cheese; bring to a simmer; let sauce continue to simmer and reduce to desired consistency. Remove from heat.
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Add cooked pasta and marinated tomatoes to the skillet. Stir to thoroughly coat pasta with sauce. Transfer pasta and sauce to a large oven-proof serving platter; top with mozzarella cheese. Place serving platter under broiler to 2 to 3 minutes or until mozzarella cheese has melted. Remove from oven and top pasta with the cooked shrimp. Serve and enjoy!
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Makes 4 servings.
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Wine recommendation: Light and fruity white wine, such as pinot gris or pinot blanc or an Oregon pinot noir.
* To preserve juices and seeds, use a pairing knife to remove just the top of the core on each tomato.