Asparagus + Shrimp + Sun Dried Tomatoes Fusilli Pasta

This pasta is deliciously easy to make and will be ready in about 45 minutes! It involves little prep work and showcases asparagus since it’s in season!

Check out the quick how-to video below. 🙂

What you’ll need:

Scale this recipe according to your preference. 

• 1/2 lb. of Shrimp
• 1 Bunch of asparagus
• A handful or two of sun dried tomatoes
  • (mine weren’t in oil, but drain them if they are)
• 2 Cups of whole wheat Fusilli pasta
• 1 Lemon (zest and juice)
• White Wine
• Olive Oil
• Garlic
• 2 Tablespoons of butter
• Seasonings:
  • Salt
  • Lemon pepper
  • Black pepper
  • Red pepper flakes
• Fresh Parsley

What you’ll do:

1. Pasta
   1. Boil pasta per the directions on the back of the bag – be sure to generously season the water with salt prior to adding the pasta.
   2. In the last minute of the pasta cooking – add your chopped asparagus to the boiling water.
      1. Boil the asparagus for about a minute –  we want it to retain those key nutrients and CRUNCH! 😉
2. Shrimp
   (This will cook really fast, so only begin to cook the shrimp when the asparagus and pasta are done)
   1. Heat about a tablespoon of olive oil and butter in a skillet.
      1. Add red pepper flakes to the olive oil and butter – this releases the oils of the red pepper flakes.
   2. When the butter has melted, add the shrimp and garlic to the pan. Keep moving the shrimp around to prevent it from over cooking.
   3. Season the shrimp with salt, pepper, and lemon pepper (or whatever pepper you have on hand).
   4. Add the sun dried tomatoes to the pan with the shrimp in it just before the shrimp is done cooking.
   5. Deglaze the pan with white wine  – this will also help the sun dried tomatoes to plump up a bit.
   6. Add in the lemon zest and stir.
3. Combine
   1. Add the Fusilli pasta and asparagus to the shrimp and sun-dried tomato mixture.
   2. Add the other tablespoon of butter, lemon juice, and julienned parsley to the pan, and gently toss to combine.
   3. Taste it and see if it needs more acid (lemon juice) or seasonings (salt,  pepper, red pepper flakes, etc.)!
   4. Serve with grated parmesan, a squeeze of lemon, and some parsley.
4. Enjoy!