Description
Protein-packed shrimp pasta bowls bring Mediterranean flavors to quick weeknight dinners. Lean seafood, whole grain noodles, and crisp vegetables combine for a nutritious meal you can enjoy anytime.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (0.45 kg) shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 8 oz (226 g) high-protein pasta (chickpea, lentil, or whole wheat)
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
- 2 cups fresh spinach, roughly chopped
- ½ cup bell peppers, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsps olive oil, divided
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 1 lemon, juiced
- ¼ cup chicken or vegetable broth
- 2 tbsps Parmesan cheese (optional)
Instructions
- Pasta Preparation: Boil salted water and cook pasta until al dente. Drain completely and set aside for later incorporation.
- Shrimp Sautéing: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season shrimp with smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Cook until shrimp turn pink and translucent, then transfer to a separate plate.
- Vegetable Medley: In the same skillet, add olive oil and sauté minced garlic, cherry tomatoes, and bell peppers until slightly softened. Introduce spinach and cook until leaves wilt and become tender.
- Sauce Development: Pour lemon juice and chicken broth into the skillet. Simmer to blend flavors, then integrate Parmesan cheese, stirring to create a smooth, cohesive sauce.
- Final Assembly: Combine reserved pasta, sautéed shrimp, and vegetable mixture. Toss thoroughly to ensure even coating with the aromatic sauce.
- Meal Prep Packaging: Evenly distribute the pasta mixture among four meal preparation containers. Allow to cool completely before sealing and refrigerating.
- Serving Suggestion: Reheat in microwave for 1-2 minutes. Optionally top with additional Parmesan cheese or fresh herbs for enhanced flavor profile.
Notes
- Optimize Pasta Texture: Cook pasta al dente to prevent mushiness during meal prep, ensuring a perfect bite even after reheating.
- Manage Shrimp Cooking: Avoid overcooking shrimp by removing them from heat when they turn pink and slightly translucent to maintain tenderness and prevent rubbery texture.
- Control Vegetable Crispness: Sauté vegetables briefly to retain their nutritional value and prevent them from becoming soggy, preserving a fresh and vibrant appearance in meal prep containers.
- Enhance Meal Prep Longevity: Store meal prep containers in the refrigerator for maximum 3-4 days, keeping ingredients separate if possible to maintain optimal texture and prevent sauce from making pasta soggy.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3
- Calories: 360
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 480 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 150 mg