Savory Penne with Shrimp and Asparagus

Ingredients List

• 1 cup penne pasta

• 2 tablespoons olive oil

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• ¼ cup onion, chopped

• ½ cup white wine

• ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

• 1 tablespoon butter

• 10 spears asparagus, cut into 1-inch pieces

• 18 peeled and deveined large shrimp (21 to 25 per lb)

• 1 tablespoon lemon juice

• salt and pepper to taste

• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

• ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese

Cooking Instructions

Prepare all the ingredients before you begin.

Fill a large pot with lightly salted water and bring it to a boil. Add the penne and cook for 8 to 10 minutes, or until al dente; then drain the pasta.

In the meantime, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic and onion, cooking until the onion softens and becomes translucent, which should take about 5 minutes. Then pour in the white wine and let it simmer for 2 minutes.

Add red pepper flakes, butter, and asparagus to the skillet, and cook until the asparagus is just tender, around 3 minutes.

Add the shrimp and lemon juice, then cook until the shrimp turn pink and opaque in the center. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Toss the cooked penne pasta together with the shrimp and asparagus mixture.

Garnish with a sprinkle of parsley and Parmesan cheese.

Nutritional Information (per serving)