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Lemon Butter Shrimp Pasta


Ingredients

  • Kosher salt
  • ½ lb paccheri pasta
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • ¾ lb peeled & deveined shrimp
  • 3 oz walnuts, roughly chopped
  • 1 lemon, zested & juiced
  • **20 cracks freshly cracked black pepper
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 1 oz freshly grated parmesan, plus more for topping

Instructions

  1. Boil the pasta:
    Bring a large pot of water to a boil, adding a heaping palmful of salt. Drop in the paccheri pasta and cook for 1 minute less than the package instructions, stirring often.

  2. Cook the shrimp:
    While the pasta cooks, heat a 12-inch skillet over medium heat. Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil and let it heat up.
    Pat the shrimp dry and add them to the skillet. Spread the shrimp evenly and sear on both sides until pink and golden. Season with a pinch of kosher salt.
    Transfer the shrimp to a plate and set aside.

  3. Toast the walnuts:
    In the same skillet, add the walnuts and lemon zest. Toast for a few minutes until fragrant and golden.
    Transfer the walnut mixture to a bowl and set aside.

  4. Make the sauce:
    Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil to the skillet, along with 20 cracks of black pepper. Cook for 30 seconds.
    Retrieve 2 cups of starchy pasta water from the pot. Add 1 cup of this water to the skillet (reserve the remaining water).
    Bring the liquid to a bubble and let it simmer for about 2 minutes.
    Reduce the heat to low and whisk in the butter, one tablespoon at a time.

  5. Combine the pasta and sauce:
    Drain the pasta and add it directly to the skillet with the sauce. Stir well as the sauce thickens and clings to the pasta. Add more pasta water if needed to keep the sauce silky.

  6. Finish the dish:
    Stir in the parmesan cheese and let it melt into the sauce.
    Add the lemon juice and the cooked shrimp. Stir until the shrimp is heated through.

  7. Serve:
    Plate the pasta, spoon the walnut mixture over top, and garnish with more parmesan cheese and a few more cracks of black pepper.

Enjoy your Shrimp and Walnut Paccheri Pasta—a rich and flavorful dish that's both comforting and elegant!

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