Shrimp Pasta For Two

Total Time: 33 mins Preparation Time: 20 mins Cook Time: 13 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 2
• 2 tablespoons balsamic vinaigrette (i made my own, but bottled works just as well.)
• 1/2 lb shrimp, fresh or 1/2 lb frozen shrimp, thawed
• 2 ounces cream cheese
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil, divided
• 1/4 lb thin spaghetti or 1/4 lb fettuccine noodles, cooked according to package directions
• 2 tablespoons shredded parmesan cheese

Recipe

• 1 marinate the shrimp in the vinaigrette for 20 minutes or so. drain the shrimp, retaining the marinade. in a large skillet over medium heat, cook shrimp until pink, about 3 minutes. remove shrimp from skillet and keep warm. place marinade, cream cheese and half of the basil in the skillet. cook and stir until well blended; return shrimp to pan and continue cooking until heated thoroughly, stirring occasionally.
• 2 to serve, place a mount of noodles on plate; top with shrimp and sauce mixture. sprinkle with remaining basil and the shredded parmesan cheese.
• 3 you can also add fresh chopped tomatoes for extra flavor, color and texture.
• 4 i only bought the shrimp and basil to make this meal; all other ingredients came from my pantry and fridge. half a pound of shrimp cost $3.00, and the portion of basil i used about $0.50. the pasta was free, using coupons at a harris teeter doubling event, and i paid less that $1.00 for the entire package of cream cheese, making the portion i used about $0.25. making my own vinaigrette cost pennies, as did shredding the parmesan from a block. i would estimate the cost of this main dish to be around $4.00 0r less. the additional side dishes and bread would bring the total to somewhere between $5.00 or $6.00. not bad for an elegant anniversary dinner!