Paccheri with Shrimp and Scampi Cream Sauce: A Delightful Seafood Pasta
When you’re in the mood for a luxurious, flavorful seafood dish that’s perfect for a special occasion or a cozy dinner at home, Paccheri with Shrimp and Scampi Cream Sauce is the ideal choice. This creamy pasta dish, made with paccheri, a wide, tube-shaped pasta, is coated in a luscious sauce made from shrimp, scampi, and a variety of aromatic ingredients. The combination of the sweet, tender seafood and the rich, flavorful broth creates a memorable and indulgent experience. Follow this detailed recipe for a step-by-step guide to prepare this restaurant-worthy dish at home.
Ingredients for Paccheri with Shrimp and Scampi Cream Sauce (Serves 4)
| Ingredient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Paccheri (large pasta tubes) | 320g |
| Scampi (langoustine) | 600g |
| Shrimp | 450g |
| Leek (porro) | 1 |
| Fresh parsley (prezzemolo) | 1 bunch |
| Water | 2 liters |
| Tomato passata (pureed tomatoes) | 180g |
| Fresh chili pepper (peperoncino) | 1 |
| Shallot (scalogno) | 1 |
| Garlic | 1 clove |
| Salt | To taste |
| Freshly ground black pepper | To taste |
| Extra virgin olive oil | As needed |
| White wine | 50g |
Instructions:
Step 1: Preparing the Aromatics and Seafood
To begin this flavorful dish, start by cleaning and prepping the vegetables and seafood. Wash and thinly slice the leek. Set aside.
Next, carefully clean the scampi and shrimp. Begin by removing the heads and shells (which you’ll use for making a flavorful seafood broth, or “fumetto”), and be sure to remove the dark intestinal vein along the back of each scampi and shrimp. Once cleaned, set the seafood meat aside.
Step 2: Making the Seafood Broth (Fumetto)
In a large saucepan, add the sliced leek, along with the heads and shells of the scampi and shrimp. Cover the ingredients with 2 liters of filtered water and bring to a simmer. Let it cook gently for about 30 minutes to extract all the delicious flavors from the shells, then strain the broth through a fine-mesh sieve. Set the broth aside. This will be the base for your seafood sauce, which adds incredible depth of flavor to the final dish.
Step 3: Cooking the Shrimp and Scampi
In a large skillet, heat a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil over medium heat. Add a whole garlic clove to the oil and cook until it releases a fragrant aroma, being careful not to burn it. Then, add the shrimp and scampi to the skillet, cooking them for 2-3 minutes on high heat until they just begin to turn pink. Once they’re cooked through, remove the seafood from the pan and set aside. Keep the garlic in the pan to continue infusing the oil with flavor.
Step 4: Preparing the Sauce Base
With the seafood removed, add the chopped shallot and fresh chili pepper (deseeded and finely chopped) to the same skillet. Cook for a few minutes over medium-low heat, stirring frequently, until the shallot becomes tender and translucent. If necessary, add a ladle of your prepared seafood broth to prevent the shallots from sticking.
Pour in the tomato passata and season the sauce with a pinch of salt and freshly ground black pepper. Stir well to combine and let the sauce simmer for about 5 minutes. Add more broth as needed to reach a desired consistency.
Step 5: Cooking the Paccheri
In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil. Add the paccheri and cook until very al dente, about 10 minutes, depending on the package instructions (typically, the full cooking time is 18 minutes, so we’re cutting it short to finish the cooking in the sauce). Once cooked, drain the pasta, reserving a little of the pasta water.
Step 6: Combining Pasta and Sauce
Transfer the al dente paccheri into the pan with the sauce, stirring gently to coat the pasta evenly. Allow the pasta to finish cooking in the sauce for an additional 5-7 minutes, so it absorbs the flavors of the tomato and seafood broth.
Step 7: Preparing the Seafood Cream
While the pasta is cooking, it’s time to make the luxurious seafood cream. In a tall measuring jug or blender, add half of the cooked scampi and shrimp, along with a ladle of the seafood broth. Using an immersion blender, puree the mixture until smooth and creamy. This will form the base of your seafood cream sauce.
Step 8: Bringing It All Together
Add the remaining shrimp and scampi to the sauce and continue cooking for a couple of minutes, allowing the seafood to absorb all the flavors from the sauce. Stir in the freshly chopped parsley for a burst of freshness and color. Then, add the creamy seafood mixture to the pan with the pasta, stirring gently to combine.
If necessary, add a little more broth or pasta water to adjust the consistency of the sauce, making sure it’s smooth and coats the pasta perfectly. Taste and adjust the seasoning with more salt and pepper if needed.
Step 9: Serving
Once the paccheri is perfectly coated with the creamy seafood sauce, serve the dish immediately. Garnish with more freshly chopped parsley and, if desired, a drizzle of high-quality extra virgin olive oil for extra richness. Enjoy this indulgent seafood pasta with a glass of crisp white wine, such as a Pinot Grigio or Vermentino, to complement the flavors of the dish.
Tips for Success:
- If you can’t find scampi, you can substitute with more shrimp, though scampi adds a unique flavor and texture to the dish.
- Be sure to cook the paccheri just al dente; it will continue to cook in the sauce, absorbing all the wonderful flavors.
- You can make the seafood broth ahead of time to save time during preparation. Just store it in the refrigerator for up to 2 days or freeze for longer storage.
- For an extra burst of flavor, feel free to add a splash of lemon juice to the sauce right before serving.
Nutritional Information (per serving)
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 640 kcal |
| Protein | 45g |
| Carbohydrates | 70g |
| Fiber | 4g |
| Fat | 18g |
| Saturated Fat | 3g |
| Cholesterol | 150mg |
| Sodium | 750mg |
| Potassium | 680mg |
| Vitamin A | 18% DV |
| Vitamin C | 20% DV |
| Calcium | 10% DV |
| Iron | 15% DV |
Paccheri with Shrimp and Scampi Cream Sauce is a flavorful and indulgent pasta dish, combining fresh seafood with a creamy tomato sauce and an aromatic seafood broth. The delicate flavors of shrimp and scampi meld beautifully in the sauce, creating a dish that’s perfect for special occasions or any time you want to treat yourself to a restaurant-quality meal at home. Follow these steps to make this delightful Italian-inspired seafood pasta dish that will impress both family and guests alike!
