A flavor packed pasta dish with marinated shrimp.
Spaghetti is a go-to choice for quick and easy dinners. While a can of tomato sauce and some ground meat may be the default topping, this recipe gives you another option thats nearly just as simple. Start by marinating the shrimp in an aromatic sauce, then boil the noodles. While the noodles are boiling, cook some broccoli until tender and charred. Then throw in the shrimp, which cooks within minutes. The noodles are tossed in when done and the marinade becomes a flavorful sauce. And just like that, dinner is ready.
Sesame-Ginger Noodles with Shrimp and Broccoli
There is pretty much always a package of spaghetti noodles floating around in my pantry, full of potential, and eager to be used. For a novel take on the spaghetti dinner this recipe includes shrimp marinated in toasted sesame oil, ginger, and aromatics, which then becomes a light but flavorful sauce for the cooked pasta. That is paired with some smoky charred broccoli, for a seafood pasta dinner that is both interesting and easy to make.
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp toasted sesame oil
- 1 lime juiced
- 1 1-inch piece ginger washed and finely grated
- 3 cloves garlic minced or finely grated
- 1 green onion thinly sliced, white/light-green and green parts separated
- Salt and Pepper
- 8 oz shrimp peeled and deveined
- 2 tbsp neutral oil such as canola
- 1 head (~9 oz) broccoli, cut into bite-sized florets
- 8 oz spaghetti
- 1 tbsp butter
- 1 tbsp sesame seeds
- Red pepper flakes optional
Instructions
- In a medium bowl whisk together toasted sesame oil, lime juice, ginger, garlic, light green and white part of green onion (reserve the rest for garnish), and a pinch of salt and pepper. Add shrimp and toss to coat. Set aside.
- Heat a large pot of salted water over high heat. When water boils add pasta and cook per package directions for al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water then drain and return to pot.
- While noodles are boiling heat neutral oil in large skillet over medium-high heat. Add broccoli and a pinch of salt and pepper and toss to coat in oil. Cook undisturbed for 5 minutes, then cook an additional 5-6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until tender and charred in places. Transfer to the pot with drained pasta. Add shrimp with marinade and 1/4 cup of pasta water to the skillet and cook 1-2 minutes per side until shrimp is pink. Remove from heat and stir in butter until fully melted.
- Add shrimp with sauce and sesame seeds to pasta and toss everything together. Add more pasta water as needed if the noodles seem dry. Divide amongst plates or bowls and sprinkle with remaining green onion and red pepper flakes if using.
