Description
Creamy coconut shrimp pasta delivers Mediterranean coastal flavors with elegant simplicity. Quick preparation and rich ingredients ensure a delightful meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (454 g) raw peeled and deveined extra-jumbo shrimp (16 to 20 per pound), thawed if frozen
- 12 oz (340 g) dried spaghetti or linguine
- 1 (13 oz / 370 g) can full-fat coconut milk
- 3 cups water
- 1 pint (475 ml) cherry or grape tomatoes (about 10 oz / 280 g)
- 3 oz (85 g) baby spinach (about 3 packed cups)
- ½ cup panko breadcrumbs
- ½ cup sweetened coconut flakes
- 2 tsp kosher salt
- ½ tsp granulated sugar
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 tbsps neutral oil (e.g., grapeseed, vegetable, or canola)
- 6 sprigs fresh cilantro
- 1 medium lime
Instructions
- Toasting Coconut Crumble: In a large skillet over medium heat, combine panko breadcrumbs and shredded coconut. Toast until achieving a rich golden color (3-4 minutes). Transfer crispy mixture to a plate and season with sugar and salt.
- Searing Shrimp: Using the same skillet, quickly sear peeled and deveined shrimp until they develop a light golden-brown exterior (1-2 minutes per side). Remove shrimp and set aside on a clean plate.
- Pasta Infusion: Pour coconut milk and water into the skillet. Add spaghetti, cherry tomatoes, garlic, and salt. Simmer and stir occasionally, allowing pasta to cook until tender and liquid reduces significantly (8-10 minutes).
- Vegetable Incorporation: Fold baby spinach leaves into the pasta, stirring until they wilt and blend seamlessly with the creamy mixture. Add lime zest and juice for brightness.
- Final Assembly: Return seared shrimp to the skillet, nestling them into the creamy pasta. Top with the reserved toasted panko-coconut mixture. Garnish with chopped cilantro leaves and additional toasted panko for extra texture. Serve immediately while warm.
Notes
- Coconut Toasting Technique: Carefully toast panko and coconut together to develop a rich, nutty flavor without burning, watching closely during the 3-4 minute process.
- Shrimp Searing Pro Tip: Pat shrimp dry before cooking to ensure a perfect golden-brown exterior and prevent steaming instead of searing.
- Liquid Absorption Trick: Monitor pasta’s liquid reduction carefully; the right consistency creates a creamy, silky sauce that coats every strand.
- Zest and Brightness Hack: Add lime zest and juice at the end to preserve fresh citrus notes and prevent potential curdling of the coconut milk sauce.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Fusion
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 590
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 900 mg
- Fat: 27 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 63 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 21 g
- Cholesterol: 190 mg