Creamy Shrimp Pasta

Directions

• Cook Pasta
• Cook pasta according to package instructions. Reserve some cooked pasta water. Drain the pasta.
• Cook Shrimp
• In a large skillet over medium-high heat, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil.
• Add shrimp with minced garlic. Cook the shrimp on one side for about 1 minute, until shrimp turns pink or golden brown on that side. While it cooks, sprinkle salt over the shrimp to cover every single shrimp, not to crowd the shrimp in the skillet.
• After 1 minute, flip the shrimp over to the other side and cook for about 30 seconds or 1 minute more.
• Transfer the shrimp to a plate.
• Make Creamy Mozzarella Sauce
• To the same skillet, add sun-dried tomatoes (drained from oil and sliced into smaller chunks, if needed) and more minced garlic.
• Sauté sun-dried tomatoes in olive oil (remaining from shrimp) on medium heat, stirring, for 1 minute until the garlic is fragrant.
• Add half and half to the hot skillet with sun-dried tomatoes and bring to boil.
• Add shredded cheese to the skillet, and quickly stir in while boiling. Immediately reduce to simmer.
• Continue cooking the sauce on low simmer heat, constantly stirring, until all the cheese melts and the creamy sauce forms.
• If the sauce is too thick, add a small amount of half-and-half or reserved cooked pasta water.
• Add basil, crushed red pepper flakes, paprika. Stir.
• Add 1/4 teaspoon of salt gradually, stirring on low heat and tasting.
• Assemble Shrimp Pasta
• Add cooked pasta to the sauce, and reheat gently on medium heat.
• Add the cooked shrimp, stir it in.
• Taste, and season with more salt, if needed.
• If the sauce is too thick, add a small amount of half-and-half or reserved cooked pasta water.
• Let everything simmer on low heat for a couple of minutes for flavors to combine.