Garlicky Shrimp Pasta
From America”s Test Kitchen Season 10: Who Wants Pasta?
PRINT PAGESHOPPING LIST
WHY THIS RECIPE WORKS:
In theory, garlic shrimp pasta has all the makings of an ideal weeknight meal—just toss a few quick-cooking ingredients with boiled pasta. In reality, delicate shrimp cooks fast, which translat…(more)
WATCH THIS RECIPE
Delicate shrimp, volatile garlic, and a whole mess of oil—what could possibly go wrong?
Watch the Video
Serves 4
Marinate the shrimp while you prepare the remaining ingredients.
INGREDIENTS
5medium garlic cloves, minced or pressed through garlic press (about 5 teaspoons), plus 4 medium cloves, smashed
1pound large shrimp (21-25), peeled, deveined, each shrimp cut into 3 pieces
3tablespoons olive oil
Table salt
1/4-1/2teaspoon red pepper flakes
1pound pasta in short, tubular shapes, such as fusilli, campanelle, or mezze rigatoni
2teaspoons unbleached all-purpose flour
1/2cup dry vermouth or white wine
3/4cup clam juice
1/2cup chopped fresh parsley
3tablespoons unsalted butter
1teaspoon lemon juice plus 1 lemon, cut into wedges
Ground black pepper
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Toss 2 teaspoons minced garlic, shrimp, 1 tablespoon oil, and 1/4 teaspoon salt in medium bowl. Let shrimp marinate at room temperature 20 minutes.
2. Heat 4 smashed garlic cloves and remaining 2 tablespoons oil in 12-inch skillet over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until garlic is light golden brown, 4 to 7 minutes. Remove skillet from heat and use slotted spoon to remove garlic from skillet; discard garlic. Set skillet aside.
3. Bring 4 quarts water to boil in large Dutch oven over high heat. Add 1 tablespoon salt and pasta. Cook until just al dente, then drain pasta, reserving 1/4 cup cooking water, and transfer pasta back to Dutch oven.
4. While pasta cooks, return skillet with oil to medium heat; add shrimp with marinade to skillet in single layer. Cook shrimp, undisturbed, until oil starts to bubble gently, 1 to 2 minutes. Stir shrimp and continue to cook until almost cooked through, about 1 minute longer. Using slotted spoon, transfer shrimp to medium bowl. Add remaining 3 teaspoons minced garlic and pepper flakes to skillet and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add flour and cook, stirring constantly, for 1 minute; stir in vermouth and cook for 1 minute. Add clam juice and parsley; cook until mixture starts to thicken, 1 to 2 minutes. Off heat, whisk in butter and lemon juice. Add shrimp and sauce to pasta, adding reserved cooking water if sauce is too thick. Season with black pepper. Serve, passing lemon wedges separately.
TECHNIQUE