MyBellaBug : Food For Thought: Creamy Shrimp Pasta

I know it has been like forever since I have shared any recipes, but today I am sharing one of my favorite and super easy recipes that is a go to especially during Lent for this family!!! This recipe is not my own creation, though I have tweaked a few things, but nothing major. I found the recipe in Real Simple magazine a few years ago and just love making this dish.

Ingredients:

16 ounces of fusilli pasta (or any other short pasta will work)
2 tablespoons of unsalted butter
2 leeks (white and light green parts only), cut into half moons
1 pound peeled and deveined medium shrimp
1 cup of heavy whipping cream
10 ounces baby spinach
Finely grated zest of 1 lemon
Kosher salt and black pepper

Bring water to a boil, then add 1/2 tablespoon of salt and pasta to boiling water. Cook the pasta according to the package. Reserve one cup of pasta water and then drain and return pasta to the pot
While the pasta is cooking, heat the butter in large skillet. Add the leeks, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, 1/4 teaspoon of pepper and cook, stirring occasionally until the leeks have softened (about 3 - 5 minutes).
Add the shrimp and lemon zest and cook, tossing frequently. Cook until the shrimp is opaque, about 5 minutes.
Add the cream to the pasta in the pot and cook over medium heat, stirring until slightly thickened. Add the spinach and toss to combine and wilt the spinach. Add in the shrimp mixture and toss all together. I usually add a little bit of the reserved pasta water to help break up some of the thickness, but it is completely your preference.