I tried the viral TikTok gyoza bake but added ONE ingredient to the sauce that completely changed the game... (Full recipe in the pinned comment! ⬇️)
Ingredients
80g pasta (spaghetti or linguine works great)
8-10 medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
Shrimp Seasoning: 2 tsp olive oil, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
1 tbsp butter
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for a nice little kick)
1/4 cup half and half cream
1-2 tbsp Parmesan cheese, freshly grated (optional but highly recommended!)
1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
1/2 tsp lemon zest
1/2 tsp Italian seasoning (for the sauce)
Salt & black pepper to your liking
Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Step-by-Step Instructions
Prep the Shrimp: Toss your shrimp in a small bowl with 2 tsp of olive oil, 1/4 tsp of salt, and 1/2 tsp of Italian seasoning. Make sure they're beautifully coated.
Cook the Pasta: Boil your pasta in salted water until al dente. CRUCIAL STEP: Before you drain the pasta, scoop out and reserve about half a cup of that starchy pasta water! Set it aside.
Sear the Shrimp: Melt the butter in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned shrimp and sear for about 1.5 to 2 minutes per side until pink and opaque. Don't overcook them! Pop them onto a clean plate.
Make the Quick Sauce: Lower the heat to medium. In the same pan with all those delicious juices, add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes. Sauté for about 1 minute until your kitchen smells amazing. Pour in the half and half cream, lemon juice, lemon zest, and the remaining 1/2 tsp of Italian seasoning. Season with a bit more salt and black pepper to your liking. Let it simmer gently for 1-2 minutes.
Toss and Emulsify: Whisk in the grated Parmesan cheese until melted. Toss the cooked pasta and your seared shrimp straight into the sauce.
Adjust the Gloss: If the sauce looks a bit too thick, don't panic! Splash in your reserved pasta water (about 1-2 tbsp at a time) and toss vigorously over low heat until the sauce becomes perfectly glossy and clings to every single strand of pasta.
Serve: Plate it up, garnish with fresh chopped parsley, and enjoy your perfect quick dinner!