Romantic Pasta Dinner for Two

white wine

🥗Healthier: vegetable broth

💰Cheaper: water + vinegar

Vegetable broth maintains flavor while reducing alcohol.

parmesan cheese

🥗Healthier: nutritional yeast

💰Cheaper: grated pecorino

Nutritional yeast is dairy-free and adds umami.

shrimp

🥗Healthier: chicken breast

💰Cheaper: canned tuna

Canned tuna is cost-effective and protein-rich.

linguine

🥗Healthier: whole wheat pasta

💰Cheaper: spaghetti

Whole wheat pasta adds fiber; spaghetti is often cheaper.

Start with the two ingredient dessert by placing 1/2 cup of white chocolate chips in a small saucepan.

Pour in 1/4 cup of heavy cream and set over medium low heat, stirring gently until the chips are melted.

Set the melted chocolate aside while you make the whipped cream.

In a medium bowl, use a hand mixer to beat 1/2 cup of heavy cream until stiff peaks form.

Transfer the melted white chocolate to a large bowl and carefully fold in a bit of the whipped cream with a large spatula.

Continue folding until all of the whipped cream is incorporated.

Transfer the mixture into two serving glasses, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate overnight.

Next, make the Parmesan crisps by preheating the oven to 400°F (205°C).

Grate a couple of ounces of Parmesan cheese and line a sheet pan with parchment paper.

Use a pastry cutter to sprinkle enough cheese to make small wafers on the parchment.

Bake in the preheated oven for 5 to 6 minutes or until starting to crisp up, watching them carefully.

Let the crisps cool and store in an airtight container overnight.

On the day of dinner, start with a glass of bubbly, recommending Prosecco.

For the main dish, begin with about 1/2 lb of shrimp, removing the peel and tail.

Use a pairing knife to remove the vein from the shrimp and place the shells in a small saucepan, covering with water to make a light Buon for the sauce.

Bring the shells to a simmer, then remove from heat and let rest to infuse.

Prepare the tomatoes by placing a handful of small cherry or grape tomatoes in a bowl and preheating the oven to 375°F (190°C).

Drizzle the tomatoes with olive oil, add freshly ground black pepper, but no salt yet, and mix them together.

Spread the tomatoes onto a parchment-lined sheet pan and roast in the oven until shriveled and about to burst, about 15 to 20 minutes.

Immediately sprinkle with salt when they come out of the oven.

Cook two portions of Linguini in boiling salted water according to package directions.

While the pasta cooks, melt 2 tablespoons of butter in a sauté pan over medium heat.

Add the shrimp, seasoning with salt, pepper, and optionally Cajun or Creole seasoning, cooking for about 1 and 1/2 minutes per side until pink.

Add in the roasted tomatoes and stir to reheat.

Pour in 2 or 3 tablespoons of the shrimp Buon to deglaze the pan, saving the rest for later use.

Add the cooked pasta and a good drizzle of nice olive oil, stirring everything together.

Plate the pasta and garnish with chopped parsley.

For dessert, top the mousse with fresh berries and mint.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Allergens