Every now and then a recipe comes along that truly deserves a 5+ rating in our book and the Orecchiette with Spicy Shrimp Sauce is that recipe.
How we discovered the spicy shrimp dish
Last night we decided to do something different. We wanted to find an interesting recipe,
adding a little of this that we like and adding a little bit of that.
Making it all our way.
When the dish was finally done, we took one bite, and then another.
We simply couldn't believe how good it was.
It all started with us wanting to have shrimp for dinner. We didn't want to make Barbecued Shrimp and Grits.
And so the challenge began, to find an interesting way to prepare the shrimp. Making it in a way we hadn't made shrimp before.
We wanted something different, but not some recipe that would take ingredients we didn't have on hand, or a recipe that would take a lot of time and effort.
We were certain of two things: we wanted a spicy shrimp recipe, and we wanted to use orecchiette.
You see, we like orecchiette so much. we ordered a box of five from Amazon. For some reason, we were having a difficult time finding the pasta so I go to where I always go to find things Amazon. The shipping was free for Prime members.
Preparing the spicy shrimp
We peeled the shrimp, deveined them, and cut them in half lengthwise. Then we chopped the fennel bulb and saved some of the fennel fronds to add to the dish.
We picked the basil from our prolific plants.
At the last minute, we decided to use our deliciously sweet cherry tomatoes instead of plum tomatoes.
It was a good call, the sweet acid of the tomatoes added to the overall flavor of this healthy pasta dish.
We had all the ingredients ready to toss in the pan because the Spicy Shrimp Sauce was going to go fast once the orecchiette cooked.
The minute we plated the Orecchiette with Spicy Shrimp we were ready to sit and dine on our mouth-watering meal.
Tutti a tavola è pronto!
Un caro saluto e alla prossima.
š Recipe
Orecchiette with Spicy Shrimp Sauce
Ingredients
- 12 ounces orecchiette pasta
- Kosher salt for pasta water and sauce
- 2 Tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil plus more for drizzling
- 1 small fennel bulb chopped, plus 1 Tablespoon chopped fennel fronds
- 2 cloves garlic thinly sliced
- 2 Tablespoons tomato paste
- Ā¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 Ā½ cups cherry tomatoes quartered
- Ā½ pound medium shrimp peeled, deveined and sliced lengthwise.
- Ā½ cup grated Pecorino cheese
- 1 cup torn fresh basil
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook as the label directs.
- Reserve 1 Ā½ cups of the salted cooking water, then drain and set pasta aside.
- Meanwhile, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chopped fennel bulb and Ā½ teaspoon salt and cook, stirring occasionally, until golden brown, 6 to 8 minutes. Reduce the heat to medium and add the garlic, tomato paste and red pepper flakes.
- Cook, stirring, 2 more minutes ( add a splash of the pasta water if the mixture is sticking).
- Stir in the tomato, shrimp, Ā½ teaspoon salt and 1 cup of reserved cooking water. Bring to a simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, until the tomatoes are saucy, about 6 more minutes.
- Add the pasta and cheese to the sauce and toss to coat. Drizzle with olive oil, season with salt and more of the reserved pasta water to loosen, if necessary. Stir in the basil leaves and fennel fronds.
- Plate, serve and enjoy.
Notes
- We chopped the fennel bulb in the food processor. This made it quick and easy.
Nutrition
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Amanda
I've always loved orecchiette pasta! As a child, I thought the shape was so cute, and as an adult, I so appreciate how well it works with sauces like this. I am in love with the fact that there's fennel in this dish. It's one of my all time favorites, and it pairs with shrimp so beautifully. Such a quick and beautiful meal to serve to your family!
Debra
I'm with you there looking for some spice! The cherry tomatoes tend to add a sweetness that works well with the subtlety of the crushed red pepper---perfect. I can see taking the leftovers to work for an awesome lunch! Thanks for the inspo.
Tracy
Mmmm yes. Good call with the cherry tomatoes!! Love that addition of the sweetness and the spicy. Iām always looking for new pasta dishes.
Carmy
A spicy shrimp sauce just sounds divine! I love spicy food and I love seafood so this recipe is right up my alley! Those little pastas are the perfect choice too since they hold onto the sauce so each bite is filled with flavour.
Tina
Hey Marisa, this looks amazing. I would not have thought to add fennel to pasta for some reason but I love fennel and I love pasta so why not? I haven't ordered pasta from Amazon before, what a great idea! I have trouble finding some of the specialty pastas in my area. Saving this recipe, gotta make this one:)
Traci
You had me at orecchiette! I also love spicy anything and shrimp is always a winner! Meals like this are what prevent me from going on low-carb diets LOL. Just pinned this beauty...thanks!
Lisa
My family is big on spice and seafood, so you're really preaching to the choir here. Your fennel addition sounds like it would really round out the flavors and orecchiette is one of my favorite pasta shapes, too. They usually have it in our market, thankfully. Great recipe!
Denise
I love that you have fennel in this dish. I never know what to do with fennel but I love the flavor. THis is the kind of pasta dish that my hubby loves. Can't wait to give it a try!
Veena Azmanov
Oh, I love how delicious this looks Marisa. The shrimp sauce sounds so wonderful. Love how simple and easy this is. Would be a perfect weeknight dinner for us.
Donna
Anything with fennel gets a huge thumbs up from me (because I have SOOO much growing in the garden right now). The fact that I also share your love for Orecchiette means this is happening in our house ASAP! So good
Jolina
Spicy shrimp is always a winner in my books š And this is definitely a homerun! And love that you used orecchiette too.
Sarah
I love that this has fennel! Fennel isn't always easy for me to find, but lately I've been seeing it everywhere. This sounds so delicious!! I need to get some orecchiette!
Dana
What a nice, simple, and refreshing pasta dish! I love the ingredients you've chosen for the sauce. And I mean, you can't go wrong with shrimp and pasta ā especially orechiette! I love how it cups sauce into it's little dip. Always a tasty bite!
Gloria
Love the combination of shrimp and pasta. The addition of red pepper flakes is a must in our house (unless the grandkids are eating it). This is such a great recipe. Perfect for any night of the week. Also a great entertaining dish too. I would make LOTS just to have leftovers for another meal.
Simply Suzannes at Home
Hi Marisa!
Oh my goodness, this recipe looks so delicious!
I can't wait to give it a try.
Thanks so much for sharing with us.
Have a fantastic week,
Suzanne
Marisa Franca
Thank you Suzanne! I love easy recipes that taste good too. You too have a wonderful week and long weekend.