Linguine with Spicy Shrimp

The combo of Cajun seasoning and ground red pepper really packs a punch of heat in this dish, but the creamy sauce takes the edge off. Decrease the ground red pepper or simply omit it for a milder version of the dish. Serve with sliced French bread.

Yield: 4 servings (serving size: 1 1/4 cups)
Cost per Serving: $2.46

Ingredients

• 8 ounces uncooked linguine
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1/2 cup finely chopped onion
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 plum tomatoes, chopped
• 1 pound peeled and deveined medium shrimp
• 1 1/2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning
• 1/2 teaspoon ground red pepper
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup half-and-half
• 1/3 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

Preparation

1. Cook pasta according to package directions, omitting salt and fat. Drain. Place pasta in a large bowl; keep warm.

2. Melt butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion; sauté 3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add garlic and tomatoes; sauté 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Sprinkle shrimp with Cajun seasoning, red pepper, and salt. Add shrimp mixture to pan; sauté 3 minutes or until shrimp are almost done; remove from heat. Stir in half-and-half. Pour shrimp mixture over pasta; toss. Sprinkle with parsley.

Wine note: Linguine with Spicy Shrimp combines peppery heat with a creamy sauce, making a fuller-bodied white a good partner. Little Penguin Chardonnay 2008 ($6), from Australia, has tropical and pear fruit, with just a bit of sweetness and refreshing acidity. --Jeffery Lindenmuth

Nutritional Information

Calories:

436

Fat:

12.1g (sat 6.4g,mono 2.8g,poly 1.2g)

Protein:

32.5g

Carbohydrate:

49.1g

Fiber:

2.7g

Cholesterol:

199mg

Iron:

5.1mg

Sodium:

694mg

Calcium:

120mg

Julianna Grimes, Cooking Light, JUNE 2010