Creamy Tomato Spinach Shrimp Pasta Recipe

Sizzling Tomato Spinach Shrimp Pasta Recipe for Dinner Magic

Succulent shrimp dance with vibrant spinach in this mouthwatering tomato spinach shrimp pasta recipe that promises a burst of Mediterranean flavors.

Fresh ingredients merge into a delightful symphony of taste and texture.

Each twirl of pasta captures the essence of coastal cuisine with its rich, robust profile.

Juicy shrimp nestle among tender spinach leaves, creating a colorful plate that speaks to both comfort and elegance.

The sauce brings a tangy brightness that complements the delicate seafood perfectly.

Weeknight dinners or special occasions will never be the same after you savor this enticing combination.

Let’s find out a culinary adventure that transforms simple ingredients into an extraordinary meal.

What You’ll Need for Tomato Spinach Shrimp Pasta

For Pasta Base:
  • Spaghetti: Choose bronze-cut pasta for superior sauce clinging and authentic Italian texture, offering a delightful chew and robust wheat flavor.
For Protein And Seafood:
  • Shrimp: Select fresh or frozen medium-sized shrimp with firm, translucent appearance, ensuring sweet oceanic taste and tender meat when cooked.
For Flavor Enhancers:
  • Butter, Olive Oil: Butter adds rich, creamy depth while olive oil provides smooth, fruity undertones and helps prevent burning.
  • Garlic: Fresh garlic cloves deliver intense, pungent aroma and create a foundational flavor base for the entire dish.
For Fresh Produce:
  • Grape Tomatoes: Select ripe, vibrant red tomatoes that are firm yet slightly soft, promising concentrated sweetness and juicy bursts.
  • Baby Spinach: Choose bright green, crisp leaves without wilting, offering delicate texture and nutrient-packed freshness.
For Seasoning Blend:
  • Chicken Broth: Adds subtle savory complexity and helps create a light, silky sauce.
  • Italian Seasoning: Delivers classic Mediterranean herb profile with balanced oregano, basil, and thyme notes.
  • Salt, Pepper: Essential for awakening and balancing all ingredient flavors, transforming the dish from bland to spectacular.

Tools to Cook Tomato Spinach Shrimp Pasta with Ease

  • Large pot: Essential for boiling pasta perfectly.
  • Skillet: Key for sautéing ingredients and creating sauce.
  • Colander: Needed to drain cooked pasta.
  • Wooden spoon: Great for stirring ingredients while cooking.
  • Measuring spoons: Helpful for precise seasoning.
  • Sharp knife: Required for chopping garlic and halving tomatoes.
  • Cutting board: Provides safe surface for food preparation.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Tomato Spinach Shrimp Pasta

  • Pasta Preparation

Grab your favorite pasta and get a pot of salted water bubbling. Cook the pasta until it’s perfectly tender with a slight bite, following the package guidance.

  • Flavor Foundation

Warm up a skillet with a luxurious blend of olive oil and butter. Let the magic begin by adding minced garlic, creating an aromatic cloud that’ll make your kitchen smell incredible.

  • Tomato Transformation

Toss in halved grape tomatoes with a splash of chicken broth and a sprinkle of Italian seasoning. Let everything dance together, softening and merging into a delightful sauce.

  • Seafood and Greens

Introduce plump shrimp and vibrant spinach to the party. Lower the heat and let them mingle, cooking gently until the shrimp turn perfectly pink and the spinach wilts.

  • Seasoning and Mixing

Sprinkle some salt and pepper to bring out the flavors. Combine the pasta with the mouthwatering shrimp and tomato mixture, adding a touch of pasta water if you want a silkier consistency.

  • Final Touch

Plate up your creation, maybe shower it with some extra parmesan or fresh herbs. Enjoy your restaurant-quality meal right at home!

Tomato Spinach Shrimp Pasta Tips and Flavor Swaps

  • Gently crush garlic cloves before mincing to release more intense flavor and make chopping easier without sticking to the knife.
  • Select shrimp that smells clean and ocean-like, with firm texture and bright color, indicating peak quality and best taste for your pasta dish.
  • Add spinach leaves at the very end of cooking to preserve vibrant green color, retain nutrients, and prevent overcooking which can make leaves turn mushy and lose their delicate texture.
  • Always reserve some starchy pasta water before draining – this liquid acts as a natural thickener and helps sauce cling perfectly to noodles, creating a silky, restaurant-style finish.
  • Substitute chicken broth with white wine for a more complex, slightly tangy undertone that elevates the entire shrimp and tomato sauce profile, adding depth and sophistication to your simple pasta meal.

Serving Tomato Spinach Shrimp Pasta the Right Way

  • Gourmet Plate Presentation: Create an elegant dining experience by arranging the pasta in a white ceramic bowl, allowing the vibrant red tomatoes and green spinach to pop against the background.
  • Fresh Herbal Boost: Sprinkle chopped fresh basil or parsley on top to add a burst of color and elevate the dish's aromatic profile, bringing a garden-fresh element to each bite.
  • Cheese Lover's Dream: Generously grate high-quality parmesan or pecorino romano over the pasta, creating a luxurious melting layer that adds rich, salty depth to the shrimp and tomato combination.
  • Wine Pairing Perfection: Complement the pasta with a crisp white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio, which will beautifully enhance the seafood and brighten the overall flavor profile of the dish.

Make-Ahead and Storage Guide for Tomato Spinach Shrimp Pasta

  • Smart Refrigeration Strategy: Store leftover pasta in an airtight container within the refrigerator, staying fresh for 3-4 days. Ensure the container seals tightly to maintain optimal flavor and texture.
  • Quick Reheating Hack: Warm individual portions in the microwave, adding a tablespoon of water to prevent dryness. Stir occasionally during heating to distribute warmth evenly and restore moisture.
  • Ingredient Freshness Tips: Keep raw shrimp refrigerated at 40°F or below before cooking. Use fresh spinach and tomatoes within 2-3 days of purchase for maximum nutritional value and taste quality.
  • Freezing Wisdom: While pasta with seafood doesn't freeze exceptionally well due to texture changes, you can separate components. Freeze sauce and shrimp mixture in sealed freezer bags for up to one month, thawing gently in the refrigerator before reheating.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

Calories: 380 kcal

Servings: 5

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Creamy Tomato Spinach Shrimp Pasta Recipe

Creamy Tomato Spinach Shrimp Pasta Recipe


5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.9 from 9 reviews

  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 5 1x

Description

Delightful tomato spinach shrimp pasta brings Mediterranean coastal flavors to dinner tables. Creamy sauce, succulent shrimp, and fresh ingredients combine for an effortless meal you can savor with friends and family.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound (454 grams) uncooked shrimp, thawed and peeled (3140 per pound size)
  • 8 oz (227 grams) uncooked spaghetti
  • 10 oz (284 grams) grape tomatoes, cut into halves
  • 2 cups packed fresh baby spinach
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tbsps (30 milliliters) butter
  • 1 tbsp (15 milliliters) olive oil
  • ¼ cup (60 milliliters) chicken broth
  • ¼ tsp Italian seasoning
  • Salt to taste
  • Pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Pasta Preparation: Bring salted water to a vigorous boil and cook spaghetti until perfectly al dente, following package instructions for precise timing.
  2. Flavor Foundation: Melt extra virgin olive oil and unsalted butter in a spacious skillet over medium-high heat, creating a rich aromatic base.
  3. Aromatic Infusion: Introduce finely chopped garlic, sautéing until its enticing fragrance fills the kitchen, releasing deep, complex flavors.
  4. Tomato Transformation: Add halved grape tomatoes, chicken broth, and Italian seasoning to the skillet, simmering until tomatoes soften and create a vibrant, juicy sauce.
  5. Seafood and Greens Fusion: Incorporate raw shrimp and baby spinach, cooking until shrimp turn completely pink and spinach wilts gracefully, melding all ingredients into a harmonious blend.
  6. Seasoning Refinement: Calibrate the dish’s flavor profile with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, creating a perfectly balanced taste.
  7. Final Assembly: Drain spaghetti, reserving a small amount of pasta water, then integrate the pasta into the shrimp-tomato mixture, using reserved water to achieve desired sauce consistency.
  8. Elegant Presentation: Plate the pasta, crowning it with freshly grated parmesan cheese or chopped basil leaves to elevate the dish’s visual and flavor complexity.

Notes

  • Pasta Water Power: Starchy pasta water acts as a magical sauce thickener and helps ingredients cling perfectly to noodles.
  • Shrimp Doneness Check: Watch for shrimp turning completely pink and opaque to prevent rubbery texture; overcooking makes them tough and chewy.
  • Heat Management: Medium-high heat creates ideal caramelization for tomatoes and quick cooking for shrimp without burning garlic.
  • Fresh Ingredient Impact: Using fresh baby spinach and ripe grape tomatoes significantly elevates the dish’s flavor complexity and nutritional value.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Dinner, Lunch
  • Method: Boiling
  • Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 5
  • Calories: 380
  • Sugar: 3 g
  • Sodium: 250 mg
  • Fat: 16 g
  • Saturated Fat: 6 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 38 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 25 g
  • Cholesterol: 170 mg
Sophie Reynolds

Sophie Reynolds

Co-Founder, Recipe Curator & Culinary Educator

Expertise

  • Home Cooking Innovation & Comfort Recipes
  • Flavor Development & Ingredient Pairing
  • Seasonal Produce Integration
  • Recipe Testing & Instructional Clarity
  • Culinary Education & Community Workshops

Education

Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts, Boulder, CO

  • Degree: Diploma in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Hands-on training in classic and modern culinary techniques, emphasizing sustainable cooking practices, kitchen professionalism, and real-world restaurant experience through externships.

Oregon State University

  • Degree: B.S. in Nutrition and Food Management
  • Focus: In-depth study of human nutrition, food safety, meal planning, and food-service operations, with a strong foundation in public health, dietetics, and community-based nutrition programs.

Sophie Reynolds is the recipe developer and culinary voice behind many of the approachable, flavor-focused creations at The Dream Café. 

Sophie’s style leans into comfort food made simple: wholesome, satisfying meals anyone can make with confidence. Her passion lies in helping home cooks feel at ease in the kitchen while finding joy in the everyday act of cooking.

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