Zesty Shrimp and Eggplant Spaghetti
Elevate your dinner experience with this Zesty Shrimp and Eggplant Spaghetti, a delightful blend of tender shrimp, savory eggplant, and al dente spaghetti bathed in a rich, homemade tomato sauce. The addition of honey and red pepper flakes adds a touch of sweetness and heat, while fresh basil enriches every bite with a burst of aromatic flavor. Perfect for a family meal or an impressive dinner party, this recipe is sure to impress your guests and satisfy your taste buds with its vibrant flavors and wholesome ingredients.
4
Servings
400
Calories
11
Ingredients
Ingredients
water
4 quarts (for boiling spaghetti)
spaghetti
3/4 lb (dry)
shrimp
1 1/2 lbs (peeled and deveined)
eggplant
1 lb (peeled and cut into 1/2 inch cubes)
olive oil
4 tablespoons (divided)
garlic
1 tablespoon (finely chopped)
canned crushed tomatoes
32 ounces (approx)
honey
1 teaspoon
hot red pepper flakes
1/4 teaspoon (to taste)
fresh basil
1/4 cup (coarsely chopped)
grated Parmesan cheese
3/4 cup (for garnish)
Instructions
1
Bring 4 quarts of salted water to a boil in a large pot. Add the spaghetti and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
2
While the spaghetti is cooking, prepare the shrimp by peeling and deveining them. Set them aside.
3
Trim the ends of the eggplant, peel it, and cut it into 1/2-inch cubes.
4
In a medium saucepan, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Add the finely chopped garlic and cook gently, stirring frequently, until fragrant but not browned.
5
Add the crushed tomatoes, honey, hot red pepper flakes, the coarsely chopped basil, and a pinch of salt and pepper to the saucepan. Stir to combine, cover, and allow the sauce to simmer for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
6
In a large nonstick skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, add the eggplant cubes along with a pinch of salt and pepper. Sauté the eggplant, stirring often, until it is nicely browned and tender, about 5-7 minutes.
7
Transfer the browned eggplant to the simmering tomato sauce and stir to combine. Cover the saucepan again and let it cook for another 15 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
8
In the same nonstick skillet, add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil and heat over medium-high heat. Add the shrimp, seasoning them with salt and pepper. Cook for 1-2 minutes until the shrimp turn pink and are just cooked through. Remove from heat.
9
Add the cooked shrimp to the tomato sauce and stir gently to combine. Allow everything to heat together for an additional 1 minute.
10
Toss the drained spaghetti with the shrimp and eggplant mixture until well combined. Serve immediately, garnished with grated Parmesan cheese.
Nutrition Information
12.5
Fat
50
Carbs
22.5
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the name of this recipe?
The recipe is for Zesty Shrimp and Eggplant Spaghetti.
How many servings does this recipe provide?
This recipe makes 4 servings.
What is the calorie count per serving?
Each serving contains approximately 400 calories.
How much shrimp is required?
The recipe calls for 1 1/2 lbs of shrimp, peeled and deveined.
What type of eggplant preparation is needed?
You should use 1 lb of eggplant, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch cubes.
What are the primary macronutrients per serving?
Each serving provides 12.5g of fat, 50g of carbohydrates, and 22.5g of protein.
How much spaghetti should I use?
The recipe requires 3/4 lb of dry spaghetti.
What kind of tomatoes are used in the sauce?
Approximately 32 ounces of canned crushed tomatoes are used.
How much olive oil is needed in total?
A total of 4 tablespoons of olive oil is used, divided throughout the cooking process.
Why is honey included in the sauce?
A teaspoon of honey is added to the sauce to provide a touch of sweetness to balance the flavors.
What gives the dish its 'zesty' heat?
The heat comes from 1/4 teaspoon of hot red pepper flakes, which can be adjusted to taste.
How should the garlic be prepared?
One tablespoon of garlic should be finely chopped.
What is the recommended garnish?
The dish should be garnished with 3/4 cup of grated Parmesan cheese.
How much fresh basil is used?
The recipe uses 1/4 cup of coarsely chopped fresh basil.
How long should the eggplant be sautéed?
The eggplant should be sautéed in a large skillet for about 5-7 minutes until browned and tender.
What is the total simmering time for the sauce?
The sauce simmers for an initial 15 minutes, and then for another 15 minutes after the eggplant is added.
How long do the shrimp take to cook?
The shrimp cook quickly in a skillet for 1-2 minutes until they turn pink.
How much water is needed to boil the spaghetti?
You should bring 4 quarts of salted water to a boil.
What is the texture of the spaghetti when finished?
The spaghetti should be cooked until it is al dente.
Is this recipe suitable for families?
Yes, it is tagged as family-friendly and is a wholesome, vibrant meal.
Can this be served for a dinner party?
Absolutely, it is described as an impressive dish perfect for entertaining guests.
How many total ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 11 ingredients in total.
What kind of skillet is best for sautéing the eggplant?
A large nonstick skillet is recommended for cooking the eggplant and shrimp.
What are the common tags for this recipe?
Tags include pasta, shrimp, eggplant, spaghetti, Italian, seafood, quick meal, dinner, and healthy.
When is the basil added to the dish?
The coarsely chopped basil is added to the saucepan with the crushed tomatoes to simmer.
Does the eggplant need to be peeled?
Yes, the instructions specify to trim the ends and peel the eggplant before dicing.
Should the sauce be covered while simmering?
Yes, the recipe instructions say to cover the saucepan while the sauce simmers.
How are the ingredients combined at the end?
The cooked spaghetti is tossed with the shrimp and eggplant sauce mixture until well combined.
How should the garlic be cooked?
The garlic should be cooked gently in olive oil until fragrant but not browned.
What is the serving suggestion for this meal?
It should be served immediately while hot, garnished with grated Parmesan.