Back to School #SundaySupper...Featuring Speedy Spicy Shrimp Pasta

The calendar is about to flip to September, so that means that many of my readers are in back-to-school mode right now. There are no non-feline kiddos at Casa Garcia, but fall is my busiest time of year at work. The last thing I want to do after a hectic, stressful day in the office is come home and whip up a complicated, time-consuming dinner. For me, quick and delicious are the main weeknight considerations. Takeout and pizza delivery are ok on occasion for those REALLY crazy nights, but I always prefer a healthy home-cooked meal. 

The theme for this week's #Sunday Supper is Back to School Meals. Our hostess Nicole from The Daily Dish Recipes encouraged us to share family-friendly meals that can be on the table in 30 minutes or less. To me, nothing is faster to prepare than seafood or pasta...so I combined the two to make Spicy Speedy Shrimp Pasta. If you have little ones or you don't like your food spicy, simply reduce or eliminate the red pepper flakes. The pasta will still be delicious...just a little more tame! This dish was inspired by a recipe I saw in Better Homes & Gardens awhile back. I made quite a few changes to suit our tastebuds, though. I had all of the ingredients in my kitchen and pantry...other than the shrimp. For this dish, bite-sized med-large shrimp are best...and buying EZ peel will make the prep work go even faster.

Speedy Spicy Shrimp Pasta

inspired by Better Homes & Gardens

Step 1: Cook 8 ounces of angel hair pasta in well salted water. NOTE: I like to use Barilla Pasta Plus for its extra fiber and other healthy ingredients. Heat 1/4 cup olive oil in a large skillet over med-high heat. Add 1/3 cup slivered red onion, two grated cloves of garlic, and 1 or 2 generous pinches red pepper flakes. Once the veggies are softened, add 1 lb. shrimp and cook until pink.

Step 2: When the shrimp are cooked, add the following ingredients to the skillet: 2 tbs. butter, 1/3 cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes, the juice and zest of one Meyer lemon, two sliced green onions, and salt & black pepper to taste.

Step 3: Stir to combine and cook until the butter melts and combines into the lemon juice and olive oil to create a sauce. Drain the cooked pasta and add to the pan. Toss thoroughly to evenly coat all of the pasta with the flavorful sauce. Taste for seasoning and adjust accordingly...I had to add a bit more salt at the end for our taste. Use tongs to serve in individual bowls.

This quick pasta dish is really delicious...a little lemony, a little spicy, and all good! I especially loved the slightly sweet tang of the sun-dried tomatoes. Some time-saving things to keep in mind to make this dish come together lickety-split: while the water comes up to a boil, peel the shrimp. While the pasta cooks, chop the rest of the ingredients. Then, the actual cooking of the shrimp mixture and tossing with the cooked pasta takes less than 10 minutes! I served this dish with baked focaccia from the grocery bakery and a simple green salad. 

I hope you'll join the #SundaySupper gang tonight at 600 CST for a live Twiter chat to share back-to-school cooking ideas! In the meantime, make sure to check out all the fabulous and fast meals that my fellow #SundaySupper participants are sharing today:

Greek Dogs by Supper For a Steal Pasta with Sausage and Broccoli by Bobbi’s Kozy Kitchen Grilled Chicken Caesar Salad by Magnolia Days Double Duty Fajita Chicken: Nachos Supreme and Enchiladas by Doggie at the Dinner Table  Zucchini, Corn and Bacon Crepes by Vintage Kitchen Oregon Shrimp Quesadillas by Pescetarian Journal  Korean omelet rice by Crispy Bits & Burnt Ends Lemon Dillled Salmon Croquette Burgers by Granny’s Down Home Southern Cooking Gluten Free Pepper Steak with Rice by  No One Likes Crumbley Cookies Crispy Ravioli in Cherry Tomato Sauce by Shockingly Delicious BLT Soup by Meal Planning Magic Korean Pan-Fried Fish by Kimchi Mom Stove top mac ‘n cheese by Gotta Get Baked Deconstructed Enchiladas by In the Kitchen with KP Croque Monsieurs  by Juanita’s Cocina Summer Squash and Mushroom Quesadillas by Chocolate Moosey Seared Lamb on a bed of Mashed potatoes with Artichoke Hearts by Cooking Underwriter  Pasta with Creamy Kale Pesto by Webicurean  Baked Spanish Tortilla by Happy Baking Days Grilled Chicken Caesar Pizza by In the Kitchen with Audrey Chicken Pasta with Spinach and Beans by The Lemon Bowl Tomato Pie by My Catholic Kitchen Shredded Chicken in Peanut Sauce Tacos w/ Corn & Zucchini Sauté by GirliChef Tomatillo Chicken Stew by Small Wallet, Big Appetite Pollo a la Crema by La Cocina de Leslie Baked Tilapia Fish Tacos by Home Cooking Memories Grilled Lemon Pepper Chicken with a Yogurt Dill sauce and a Greek Salad by Noshing with the Nolands Wagon Wheel Pasta with Pancetta & Peas by Chelsea’s Culinary Indulgence Lemon & Dill Shrimp Pasta w/ Oven Roast Corn by Mama, Mommy, Mom Ricotta – Tofu Tomato Toasts by Yummy Smells One Pot Spicy Asian Chicken and Rice by Hezzi D Turkey Italian Brown Rice Casserole by Momma’s Meals Flatbread Pizza with Cilantro Garlic Sauce by Mom’s Test Kitchen Kung Pao Shrimp by Mangoes and Chutney Cashew Chicken Stir-fry by Diabetic Foodie Chicken Bacon Avocado Quesadillas by Dinners, Dishes and Desserts Roasted Butternut Lo Mein by The Meltaways Potluck Casserole with Cornbread Stuffing by Cindy’s Recipes & Writings Jerk Chicken Chili by Mrs. Mama Hen Loaded Chicken and Steak Stuffed Potatoes by Big Bears Wife Steamed Tofu Serve with Fried Mix Vegetables by My Trials in the Kitchen Pasta with sausage and cherry tomatoes by Tora’s Real Food Chicken Ravioli with Peas and Bacon by Daddy Knows Less Chorizo Tomato Pasta with a Creamy Sauce by Avocado Pesto Quick N Easy Thai Coconut Shrimp Stir Fry by Sue’s Nutrition Buzz Whole Wheat Pizza with Hummus & Fresh Greens by Family Spice End of Summer Grilled Peach and Chicken Salad by Sustainable Dad Teriyaki Tuna Bowl by Family Foodie Weeknight Stir Fry by From Fast Food to Fresh Food Baked Egg with Mushrooms and Bacon by Pippi’s in the Kitchen Again Taco Bake by Daily Dish Recipes Fried Rice and Black Beans by Mama’s Blissful Bites Chicken with Broccoli, Sun-dried Tomatoes and Bow Ties by That Skinny Chick Can Bake Pasta in Tomato sauce and turkey meatballs by Basic & Delicious Pasta Primavera by Midlife Road Trip Tots Your Tots Will Love by The Hand that Rocks the Ladle

Share this post