⏳ Yield & Time

Yield: 2 servings

Preparation Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 5 minutes

Total Time: 15 minutes

🍽 Ingredients

• 1/2 lb Shrimp
• 8 oz Linguine pasta
• 1 cup Fresh spinach
• 1/2 cup Cherry tomatoes
• 1/4 cup Red onion
• 1/4 of a pepper Jalapeño pepper (optional)
• 2 cloves Garlic
• 2 tablespoons Olive oil
• 1 tablespoon Lime juice
• to taste Salt and pepper

📖 Instructions

1. First, let's tackle the shrimp. Pat them dry with paper towels; this helps them brown nicely. Season generously with salt, pepper, and about half of the minced garlic. We're aiming for a flavorful crust here, so don't be shy with the seasoning!
2. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add a drizzle of olive oil – just enough to coat the pan. Once hot, add the shrimp in a single layer. Don't overcrowd the pan or they'll steam instead of sizzle. Cook for 2-3 minutes per side, until they're pink and opaque. Set aside and let them rest.
3. Next, the salsa. This is where the magic happens! Finely chop your fresh ingredients – the spinach, cherry tomatoes, red onion, and jalapeño (if using – remove the seeds and membranes for less heat). Now, combine the chopped veggies with the remaining minced garlic, olive oil, lime juice, and a pinch of salt. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed – a little more lime juice or jalapeño might be nice, depending on your preferences.
4. Time for the pasta! Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add your pasta and cook according to the package directions, aiming for al dente. Make sure your water is nicely salted – it'll flavor your pasta significantly. Drain the pasta, reserving about 1/2 cup of the pasta water, just in case.
5. Back to the skillet! Add the cooked pasta to the pan. Toss everything together – pasta, shrimp, and salsa – making sure everything is well combined. If the mixture seems a little dry, add a splash of the reserved pasta water. This will help create a nice sauce and bind everything together. Gently toss and stir.
6. Serve immediately! Garnish with fresh parsley, a little extra lime zest, or perhaps some crumbled feta cheese if you're feeling fancy. Enjoy your delicious Garlic Shrimp & Spinach Salsa Pasta!

📝 Notes

• For a richer flavor, use high-quality olive oil and fresh lime juice.
• Adjust the amount of jalapeño to your preferred level of spiciness.
• If you don't have fresh parsley, you can use dried parsley instead.
• Feel free to experiment and add other vegetables or herbs to your liking. Some good options could be bell peppers, zucchini or fresh basil