Creamy Shrimp and Mushroom Pasta

By lindaauman

Ingredients

• 2 Tbs. olive oil
• 10 big or 20 small shrimp (fresh or frozen) without shells and de-veined
• 3 garlic cloves
• dried basil
• salt
• crushed red pepper flakes
• paprika
• 8 oz. mushrooms, thinly sliced
• 1 c half and half
• 1/2 c. Parmesan cheese, shredded
• 3/4 c. Mozzarella cheese, shredded
• cooked pasta water
• 8 oz. fettuccine pasta

Details

Adapted from keyingredient.com

Preparation

Step 1

Heat a large skillet until hot - add olive oil and immediately add garlic and shrimp. Cook on one side for about 1 minute until pink, on medium-high heat. Flip the shrimp to the other side, sprinkle the top of cooked side of shrimp with dry basil, paprika and salt, cook for another 1-2 minutes, occasionally stirring until shrimp is pink on both sides. Remove the shrimp from skillet. To the same skillet, add sliced mushrooms. Add more olive oil if necessary. Cook on high heat for about 2 minutes, occasionally stirring, until mushrooms become soft and release juices. Salt midway through cooking. To the skillet with mushrooms, add cooked shrimp. Immediately add 1 c. half and half and all of the cheese. Bring to a boil, then reduce to simmer and cook, constantly stirring, until all cheese melts. Cover with lid and remove from heat.

Cook pasta. Reserve the pasta water when draining. Add pasta to the skillet with shrimp and mushrooms and cream sauce. Stir well, season with more salt, more crushed red pepper flakes and basil, if desired. Add pasta water to loosen the mixture to desired consistency.