As the weather is getting warmer, I’ve been craving light pasta dishes tossed with fresh ingredients and a mix of vibrant colours. This dish fits the bill pretty perfectly! I like using different types of pasta to spice up weeknight meals and the bucatini works beautifully in this one. It’s a thicker cut than spaghetti with a nice bite and swirls wonderfully amongst the fresh cherry tomatoes, peas and shrimp. I also like finishing off these types of pasta dishes with a few simple steps: a little lemon juice (to brighten up all the flavours), some fresh herbs and a few creamy feta cubes. It’s really the perfect spring or summer meal!
Shrimp, Cherry Tomato and Oregano Bucatini
Serves 2
Bucatini for 2
4 garlic cloves, thinly minced
12 shrimp, deveined and peeled
1 cup of cherry tomatoes, halved
1/2 cup of frozen peas
1/4 cup of diced feta
2 tablespoons of heavy cream
4 sprigs of fresh oregano (leaves roughly torn)
1/2 lemon, juice and zest
Olive oil
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Cook the pasta according to package instructions. Add the peas to the pasta pot when there are 5 minutes of cooking time left.
While the pasta is cooking, place a pan on low heat and add a good drizzle of olive oil. Add the garlic and stir to coat. Add the shrimp with a good pinch of salt and pepper and cook until the shrimp just becomes pink and opaque. Remove from the heat and add the cherry tomatoes. Once the pasta and peas are cooked, drain and add to the pan with 2 teaspoons of pasta water and return to medium low heat. Season with salt and pepper. Add the lemon juice, zest, cream, feta and oregano.
Transfer to a serving platter adding a good drizzle of olive oil and seasoning with salt and pepper. Serve immediately. Enjoy!
Enjoy the read!
Aggie
May 23, 2011 at 8:12 pm (13 years ago)I’m the same way right now about pasta. Light and fresh. This looks so perfect!
Virginia O
May 24, 2011 at 3:38 pm (13 years ago)Pasta is on the menu at least 2 times a week at my house. I’ve done a variation on this recipe, but I really like the use of tomatoes in this dish rather than just black olives in the one I am accustomed. I enter recipe contests quite often and an amalgam of the two might be the perfect submission.
Cheers!
Virginia
Miss Meat and Potatoes
May 25, 2011 at 3:42 pm (13 years ago)Utterly gorgeous. SO fresh and delicious and summery. Well done!
Eva
May 26, 2011 at 4:44 am (13 years ago)That sounds delicious! I love oregano, so nice to see it used so well here 🙂
kankana
May 26, 2011 at 5:15 pm (13 years ago)Couldn’t agree more with you. I too prefer light meals .. but colorful it should be during this time of the season. And Pasta is one of my all time fav and this dish looks perfect!
Juanita
May 27, 2011 at 9:18 am (13 years ago)Lovely colours…lovely textures and tastes.
bakerbyNature
May 31, 2011 at 7:48 pm (13 years ago)I have yet to meet a pasta dish including shrimp and tomatoes I would turn down; adding oregano makes it even better!
Chocolate Shavings
May 31, 2011 at 8:14 pm (13 years ago)bakerbyNature: For sure, fresh oregano adds freshness and colour to the dish!
Suzanne
June 4, 2011 at 6:51 pm (13 years ago)The flavors in this pasta dish sound so good!
pigpigscorner
June 5, 2011 at 3:32 pm (13 years ago)Light and refreshing! I’ve been making a lot of light pasta dishes recently too, great for Summer!
Recipes Club
June 7, 2011 at 4:01 pm (13 years ago)This looks great! I love colorful dishes this time of year! Makes the food seem a little more lively. I think the oregano would add a great flavor! Have you tried this with a light sauce? Just a touch of marinara or a vodka sauce could spice it up just a touch!
~Nancy Lewis~
the jr. chef
June 8, 2011 at 5:16 pm (13 years ago)YUM that pasta looks delicious! Great blog- love the title and pictures. Please visit my blog, Picky Eater Solutions, and leave some tips that have been helpful to you and your blog- I really appreciate it. Thanks so much. http://www.pickyeatersolutions.blogspot.com
Kristen
June 21, 2011 at 12:21 am (13 years ago)What a great summer meal – can’t wait to try this!
Biren @ Roti n Rice
July 5, 2011 at 9:51 am (13 years ago)This looks so light and delicious, perfect for the current warmer weather. Thanks for visiting my blog 🙂