Shrimp alla Marinara Recipe & an Awesome GIVEAWAY
I love cooking for my family. My family on the other hand, doesn’t always love eating my meals.
Some things like zucchini noodles and black bean pasta are just a little too “out there” for my traditional father.
So when the rents came to visit this weekend, instead of trying to force feed them any of my more “extreme” dishes, I decided to keep things simple.
Thursday, after a long day of class for me and beach bumming for them, I decided to whip up a meal that we could both agree upon, that wouldn’t take too much effort, and that despite being super healthy, didn’t scream “health food.”
My dad’s a big fan of Italian food, so I knew just what to make:
Shrimp alla Marinara.
Fortunately, I had one jar left of Uncle Steve’s Marinara Sauce (which I used in my black bean pasta a few weeks back).
This stuff is amazing because despite the fact that they don’t add any sugar to the sauce (like most pasta sauces that claim to be healthy), it still tastes incredible.
Using only whole, organic vegetables, herbs and spices, Uncle Steve’s makes a product that even a Ragu-lover like my dad would deem “Bellissimo.”
It tastes homemade, so you can impress guests without wasting your evening in the kitchen, when you’d rather be spending time with your family.
I made the dish my own by adding in some of my favorite fresh vegetables and I customizing it for each member of the family.
Dad got whole-wheat linguine, I ate my “weird health food” (according to Dad) aka spaghetti squash, and Mom enjoyed a mixture of both.
- 1 lb Fresh or Frozen Shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 4 C. Whole Wheat Linguine or Spaghetti Squash, cooked
- 2 C. Uncle Steve's Marinara Sauce
- ½ C. Eggplant, diced
- ½ C. Zucchini, diced
- ½ C. Spinach
- ¼ C. Cherry Tomatoes, halved
- 1 T. Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- Salt & Pepper
- Parmesan (optional)
- Add oil to a hot pan and saute all veggies for about 3-5 minutes, stirring continuously.
- If shrimp are frozen, defrost by running lukewarm water over them in a colander. Add shrimp and sauce to the pan and stir everything together for another 1-2 minutes.
- Pour shrimp and veggie mixture over hot cooked pasta or spaghetti squash.
Note: Calorie count does not include pasta, spaghetti squash or parmesan.
After finally proving my culinary prowess to my parents, the rest of the weekend went swimmingly.
Dad got his bake on.
Mom and I played twinsies in our straw hats.
I got to indulge in some much needed pleasure reading.
And because I would love to see your family have a wonderful time as well, today I’m giving away The Ultimate Gift Basket from Uncle Steve’s Italian Specialties, equipped with everything you need to make an extraordinary family meal.
The gift basket is worth over $100 and includes three of Uncle Steve’s famous sauces, 1 stainless steel colander, a signature wooden spoon, salami, balsamic vinegar reduction, orecchiette pasta, aged parmesan crisps, Ghiradelli Dark Sea Salt, and more.
Need more ideas of what to make with this fab sauce? Why not try…
Mini Hawaiian Portobello Pizza Bites
Seafood Pizza aka Pizza Frutti di Mare
Skinny Spaghetti Squash Lasagna
*This post is sponsored by Uncle Steve’s Italian Specialities but all opinions are my own.
Dale Janee says:
This recipe looks so good and great giveaway!! Definitely entering and you beach pics look amazing with you and your parents. I love your black bikini too, where is it from?
xoDale
Whitney English says:
Thanks girl! It’s from Victoria’s Secret. It was a couple years ago but here are similar bottoms and an amazing top that I am ordering ASAP: Ruched Bikini Bottom
Ashley @ A Lady Goes West says:
Store-bought! I’m like you an always go for the veggie noodles, whether that’s zucchini or spaghetti squash. However, I make my husband whole wheat spaghetti because he’s not into the other stuff. Glad you got some beach time. I need some too!
Charlsie N says:
I always go for store bought. Although I want to try making my own.
Favorite recipe to have with my family is sausage and noodles. One of the unhealthiest meals I eat but we all love it
Whitney English says:
Sausage and noodles doesn’t have to be unhealthy though :) Swap out white noodles for whole-wheat and traditional sausage for a lean chicken or turkey!
Holly @ EatGreatBEGreat says:
What a great recipe! I love that it’s fast and easy weeknight meal! I like to make my own pasta sauce, but if I’m feeling lazy, I’ll buy store bought and add in some of my own spices and some red wine to give it more of a homemade flavor. It usually works out pretty good!
Whitney English says:
Oh, I like the red wine idea – I’m going to steal that!
Jeana says:
My boyfriend and I agreed on any pasta dish for romantic date nights so making them at home would be my use!
Heidi says:
I always make my own marinara b/c I don’t like how sweet most store-bought sauces are but this one sounds perfect! And BF always insists on whole wheat but now he wants to try the black bean after I was telling him about it from your blog.
Whitney English says:
Yes, do try! Let me know what you think!
Jennifer Sinquefield King says:
I usually make my own sauce- to make sure nothing “extra” is in it. The Shrimp alla Marianara looks amazing! So I would make it!!
paige c says:
lasagna is a big family meal in our house or my dad likes to make BBQ chicken on the grill!
jen says:
i love introducing my parents to fun, creative salads. i grew up eating the exact same salad every time we had salads: iceberg lettuce, cucumbers, tomatoes, carrots, alfalfa sprouts (i know, random), and a thousand island dressing. i was not a fan. when i learned about how amazing salads can be, i began introducing awesome combos to my family as well! :)
Whitney English says:
Yes, it’s nice to be able to teach your parents a thing or two occasionally, right?!
xosonja says:
Yum!
The hubby made fresh tomato sauce last night which is seriously amazing. But on busy days, sometimes you just need to grab one at the store. One without tons of sugar is so key – I’ll have to try Uncle Steves.
xoxox
Whitney English says:
Lucky girl!!
Deborah @ Confessions of a Mother Runner says:
Pasta with tomato sauce is always a crowd pleaser at our house. This looks great!
Jezz Dallas says:
Omg, I am so hungry…shouldn’t have looked at your site..guess what I am now haing for dinner …yumm!!
http://jezzdallasmakeup.blogspot.com/
Linda @ Fit Fed and Happy says:
Are you serious? It’s getting colder here but I guess it’s an oven 24/7 in LA!
Whitney English says:
Yes, is was VERY hot last week. It’s finally cooling down now though.
Bethann Wagner says:
Your mom and dad are so cute! I love the pic of you and your mama in matching hats! On another note: I always buy or pasta sauce & then make it my own my adding some veggies or fresh basil!
Whitney English says:
Oh, fresh basil is a great addition!
Kim says:
That shrimp dish looks awesome!! I love the way your parents and you make a mix of your meals and what they like work!!!
And, your parents are so cute!!!
Whitney English says:
Aw, thanks! My dad will appreciate that as he was not happy that I posted a picture of him “looking like a beached whale.” Haha.
Arman @ thebigmansworld says:
Is it bad that I’d faceplant the shrimp pasta sauce without eating the pasta? No shame.
Whitney English says:
Only if it goes up your nose, it might burn a bit :)
Karen says:
I love the combo if squash and shrimp marinara, I’d take some if it too! :) I’ve never, ever, seen a sauce that’s healthy so I’m in need of trying this Uncle Steve’s, Great recipe Whitney!!
Whitney English says:
This is the ONLY sauce I’ve ever found that doesn’t add sugar. And you won’t believe it because it takes so good :)
Margot C says:
We like to make our own pizzas together
Lindsey C. says:
I love to cook a big Italian dinner of ziti and meatballs with my extended family for fall get-togethers!
Susan Christy says:
We like lasagna, salad, garlic bread and cheesecake.
Kristen says:
we love to make (and eat!) tacos together.
Emily Smith says:
My favorite meal to have with my whole family is steak, mashed potatoes and corn on the cob.