Pasta Dinner Recipe Ideas (Print Version)

Three reliable pasta dinner ideas with one easy method, including shrimp scampi, creamy lemon chicken, and Cajun chicken pasta.

# Ingredients:

Base for any version

01 - 12 oz (340 g) dried pasta, such as spaghetti, linguine, penne, or rotini
02 - 1 tablespoon kosher salt, for the pasta water
03 - 1 cup reserved pasta cooking water

Shrimp scampi option

04 - 1 lb (450 g) large shrimp, peeled and deveined
05 - 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
06 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
07 - 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
08 - 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
09 - 4 garlic cloves, minced
10 - 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional
11 - 1/2 cup (120 ml) dry white wine or low-sodium chicken broth
12 - 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
13 - 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
14 - 1/3 cup grated Parmesan, optional

Creamy lemon chicken option

15 - 1 lb (450 g) boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-size pieces
16 - 1 teaspoon kosher salt
17 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
18 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
19 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
20 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
21 - 3 garlic cloves, minced
22 - 1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest
23 - 3/4 cup (180 ml) heavy cream or half-and-half
24 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan
25 - 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
26 - 2 tablespoons chopped parsley or basil

Creamy Cajun chicken option

27 - 1 lb (450 g) boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-size pieces
28 - 1-2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning, divided
29 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
30 - 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
31 - 1 small yellow onion, diced
32 - 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
33 - 3 garlic cloves, minced
34 - 1/2 cup (120 ml) low-sodium chicken broth
35 - 3/4 cup (180 ml) heavy cream
36 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan
37 - 1 tablespoon chopped parsley or sliced green onion

# Instructions:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta until just shy of al dente, then reserve 1 cup of pasta water and drain.
02 - Season shrimp with salt and pepper. Sear in 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium-high heat for 1-2 minutes per side, then transfer to a plate.
03 - Melt butter with the remaining olive oil. Cook garlic and red pepper flakes for 30 seconds, add wine or broth, and simmer for 2 minutes. Add pasta, shrimp, lemon juice, parsley, and enough pasta water to coat.
04 - Season chicken with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Sear in olive oil over medium-high heat until browned and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes, then transfer to a plate.
05 - Melt butter in the skillet and cook garlic for 30 seconds. Add lemon zest, cream, Parmesan, pasta, chicken, and a splash of pasta water. Toss until creamy, then finish with lemon juice and herbs.
06 - Season chicken with Cajun seasoning. Sear in oil and butter until browned and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes, then transfer to a plate.
07 - Cook onion, bell pepper, and garlic in the same skillet until softened. Add broth, cream, Parmesan, and more Cajun seasoning to taste, then simmer gently for 2-3 minutes.
08 - Add pasta and chicken to the Cajun sauce. Toss with enough reserved pasta water to make the sauce glossy, then finish with parsley or green onion.

# Notes:

01 - Choose one pasta option per dinner. Each option serves about 4 people.
02 - Reserve pasta water before draining. It is the easiest way to loosen and bind the sauce.
03 - Best served right after tossing, while the sauce is glossy.

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