Easy Weeknight Shrimp Pasta

Quick pasta suppers have saved us more than once from ordering takeout! Here’s an easy shrimp pasta we like to make on busy weeknights for a simple supper.

It’s the busy weeknights, when we’re worn and weary, that our real food diet is most likely to break down. But being busy, tired, or unmotivated to cook dinner aren’t unique maladies–they’re part of life, and we need to deal with them!

For Eric and I, our secret weapon for weeknights is pasta! It’s super quick to make, and there’s options for limitless variety. Quick pasta suppers have saved us more than once from ordering takeout. We usually pair the pasta with another real food “convenience food” like tuna, canned tomatoes, or shrimp–a healthy ingredient that we can add in a snap to take the pasta whatever direction we want.

Shrimp is one of our favorite pasta add-ins. We pick up a bag of frozen, cooked shrimp whenever we shop at Aldi. On those nights when we need an easy supper, it takes just minutes to defrost the shrimp in a little cold water. We saute it with whatever spices and herbs sound good, then toss it with cooked pasta for a very easy entree! Served with a simple vegetable like peas or a salad, plus seasonal fruit, and you’ve got a complete meal that takes under 30 minutes to prepare!

Here’s one variation of shrimp pasta that Eric made recently. Feel free to sub out the spices and herbs for your favorite flavorings.

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Easy Weeknight Shrimp Pasta

This flavorful shrimp pasta comes together quickly for a fast but tasty weeknight supper.

Course Main Course

Ingredients

For the Pasta:

• 1/2 lb pasta whatever kind you have on hand
• 4 oz Swiss cheese, grated
• paprika to taste
• garlic powder to taste
• dried oregano to taste
• 1/4 cup heavy cream
• 2 Tbsp butter

For the Shrimp:

• 1/2 lb cooked shrimp, tails removed
• 2 Tbsp butter
• 1 Tbsp lemon juice
• pinch of salt
• dash of pepper
• dash of garlic powder

Instructions

1. Cook the pasta in salted water.*

2. While pasta cooks, prepare the shrimp by sauteing in a skillet with the butter, lemon juice, salt, pepper, and garlic powder.

3. When the pasta is finished cooking, drain and return to pot. Stir cheese, spices, cream, and butter into pasta. Heat through until cheese melts.

4.  Add shrimp to pasta and toss well; serve!

Recipe Notes

* We use 1-2 teaspoons of Real Salt. It makes the pasta more flavorful!

Check out my recipe index and cookbook for more delicious, simple recipes!