One Pot Pasta With Shrimp and Asparagus

Summer is a great time for a quick and easy light salad.  The fresh asparagus and the citrus tang give this salad a bright flavor. Its simplicity will surprise you on how tasty it is.

I make this salad for lunch and enjoy it along with a few whole grain crackers and some slices of white cheddar cheese.

Not to mention, how can you not like something that can all be thrown together and cooked in ONE pan and then tossed in ONE bowl!

It's all in there! Pasta, shrimp and asparagus. All you need to do is stagger the cooking times for each ingredient and then it'll come out PERFECTLY!

My recipe is for one, because many times I’m making a quick lunch for only me.  I’m lucky enough to live close enough to my work, so I try to make things that are quick, easy and using fresh veggies to keep it healthy.

I hope you’ll love the taste of this simple salad.

Serves One

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup dry shell pasta (or any variation of pasta)
• 8-10 medium frozen raw shrimp
• 5-7 asparagus spears with ends trimmed & cut in half
• 2 tsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil or a nice lemon infused olive oil is also good (this is what I used) Mmmm...love it!
• A good squeeze of a 1/2 lime or lemon to taste
• Seasoning - I used Key West seasoning, Mrs. Dash Garlic Herb and a pinch of sea salt and pepper.  You can season to your desired liking.

Preparation:

In a sauce pan fill 1/2 with water and bring to a boil. Add pasta and simmer on medium high for 8-10 minutes stirring occasionally. 

For the last 5 minutes of cooking time; add the shrimp and continue to simmer.  

Lastly, toss in the asparagus and simmer for an additional 3 minutes. Then pour all ingredients into colander to drain off water. Give it a short rinse of cold water.

Put all cooked ingredients into a bowl. Add the olive oil, lime juice and seasoning. Toss to coat and then enjoy this light and tasty pasta dish immediately or refrigerate to eat chilled. 

Optional Variations: Use broccoli instead of asparagus or sliced grilled chicken instead of shrimp. 

Double the recipe for two servings

It's wonderful when simple can be satisfying!

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