Garlic Butter Capellini Pomodoro with Shrimp
This Garlic Butter Capellini Pomodoro with Shrimp is a light yet satisfying pasta dinner made with tender shrimp, delicate capellini, juicy tomatoes, fresh basil, garlic, and a rich garlic butter sauce. It’s quick, flavorful, and finished with Parmesan cheese for an easy restaurant-style meal at home.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients
- 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- Olive oil, for the pan
- For the Pomodoro Sauce:
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 cups diced fresh tomatoes or halved cherry tomatoes
- 2 cups chicken or vegetable broth
- 4 tablespoons butter
- ½ cup fresh basil leaves, cut or torn into small pieces
- Salt, to taste
- For the Pasta:
- 8 ounces DeLallo capellini
- Parmesan cheese, for topping
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the capellini according to the package directions until al dente. Reserve about ½ cup of pasta water, then drain.
- Season the shrimp with salt and black pepper.
- Heat a drizzle of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the shrimp and cook for about 2 minutes per side, until pink and cooked through. Transfer the shrimp to a plate.
- In the same skillet, add the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds, until fragrant.
- Add the diced fresh tomatoes or halved cherry tomatoes and cook for 3–4 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Pour in the chicken or vegetable broth and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
- Add the butter and stir until melted and incorporated into the tomato sauce.
- Season the sauce with salt to taste and simmer for 5–7 minutes, allowing the tomatoes to soften and the sauce to slightly reduce.
- Stir in the fresh basil.
- Add the cooked capellini to the skillet and toss gently until the pasta is evenly coated. Add a splash of reserved pasta water if needed to loosen the sauce.
- Return the cooked shrimp to the skillet and gently toss with the pasta and sauce.
- Serve immediately topped with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and additional basil if desired.
Notes
- Do not overcook the shrimp; remove them from the pan as soon as they turn pink and opaque.
- Fresh ripe tomatoes provide the best flavor, but cherry tomatoes are an excellent alternative.
- Capellini cooks quickly, so keep a close eye on it to prevent overcooking.
- Reserve some pasta water to adjust the consistency of the sauce.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan for the best flavor and texture.
- For extra garlic flavor, add another minced clove to the butter sauce.
- Serve immediately for the best texture, as capellini is most delicate when freshly cooked.