Pasta fácil con gambas

Ingredientes

• 1 lb pasta
• 1 tablespoon olive oil (plus more if needed)
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 pound shrimp (raw, peeled, and deveined)
• 4 garlic cloves (minced)
• 2 tablespoons red pesto
• 1 tablespoon sun-dried tomato paste
• 1/4 teaspoon red chili pepper flakes
• 1 cup half-and-half (or whipping cream)
• 1/2 cup chicken stock (or shrimp stock)
• 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese (freshly grated)
• 1 teaspoon white vinegar
• 1/2 cup reserved cooked pasta water
• salt and freshly ground black pepper
• fresh basil (chopped (or fresh parsley))

Preparación

1. 1

   Start a pot of salted water to cook the pasta in a large pot. Cook pasta until just underdone. Reserve about a cup of cooked pasta water, drain the pasta and set aside.

2. 2

   Meanwhile, melt the butter and olive oil in a large shallow pan over medium-high heat.

3. 3

   Add the shrimp to the pan in a single layer and allow to cook undisturbed for 1 minute. Flip, and cook until the shrimp are just cooked through (about 1 minute).

4. 4

   Remove the shrimp from the pan and add the garlic. Saute until fragrant (30 seconds to a minute).

5. 5

   Add the red pesto, sun-dried tomato paste, and chili flakes, stir to combine, and saute to release the flavors (about a minute).

6. 6

   Mix the in the cream, add the stock, the Parmesan cheese, vinegar, a pinch of salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Mix and bring to a simmer. If the sauce is too thick, add a small amount of reserved pasta water. Simmer for 3 to 5 minutes to bring the flavors together.

7. 7

   Add the pasta to the sauce, and simmer gently to allow the pasta to finish cooking in the sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add a small amount of reserved pasta water. Stir in the cooked shrimp, and mix in the basil.

8. 8

   Taste for seasoning and add more salt as needed before serving.