This Trader Joe’s Lemon Torchietti recipe is a bright and savory dish, which features a simple yet elegant slow-cooked cherry tomato sauce, succulent shrimp, and a burst of fresh herbs. It’s the perfect way to elevate a weeknight pasta dinner, ready in about 45 minutes.
Jump to RecipeTrader Joe’s Lemon Torchietti Recipe Ingredients
- 1 box Trader Joe’s Lemon Torchietti Pasta
- 1 lb. Peeled and deveined Shrimp, thawed
- 8 tbsp (1/2 cup) Trader Joe’s Extra Virgin Olive Oil, divided
- 3 large Garlic Cloves, finely chopped
- 1 tsp Trader Joe’s Aglio Olio Seasoning
- 1 pinch Red Pepper Flakes
- 2 lbs Cherry Tomatoes
- ¼ cup Dry white wine
- 1 cup Chopped fresh Parsley or Basil (or a mix)
- Zest from one lemon
- Salt and freshly ground Black Pepper to taste
How To Make Trader Joe’s Lemon Torchietti with Shrimp
- Cook the Shrimp: In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of the olive oil over medium heat. Add the thawed shrimp, season with 1 teaspoon of salt, and cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring, until they are just pink and opaque. Transfer the shrimp and any juices to a bowl and set aside.
- Start the Sauce: In the same skillet, add the remaining 6 tablespoons of olive oil and the chopped garlic. Cook on medium-low for about four minutes, until the garlic is just starting to turn golden and fragrant. Be careful not to burn it. Add the Aglio Olio seasoning and red pepper flakes and stir for 30 seconds more.
- Simmer the Tomatoes: Turn the heat up to medium, add the cherry tomatoes and another teaspoon of salt. Add the white wine. Let the tomatoes cook, stirring every few minutes, for 25 to 30 minutes. They will gradually break down and create a rustic sauce.
- Cook the Pasta: While the tomato sauce simmers, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the Lemon Torchietti and cook for about 10 minutes, or until al dente. Before draining, reserve about 1 cup of the starchy pasta water.
- Combine and Finish: Add the cooked shrimp with any of their juices back to the tomato sauce to reheat for a couple of minutes. Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning. Add the lemon zest.
- Serve: Use tongs or a pasta fork to transfer the hot pasta directly from its water into the skillet with the sauce. Remove the pan from the heat, add the fresh herbs, and toss everything well to combine, adding a splash of the reserved pasta water if needed to create a silky sauce. Season with black pepper to taste and serve immediately.
Recipe Tips
- Starchy Pasta Water is Key! This is the most important secret to a perfect sauce. The hot, starchy water is not just for thinning the sauce; it’s a crucial emulsifier that helps the olive oil and tomato juices meld into a smooth, creamy sauce that clings beautifully to the pasta.
- Slow-Cook the Tomatoes: Don’t rush the sauce. Letting the cherry tomatoes cook down for the full 25-30 minutes is what breaks them down and concentrates their sugars, creating a deep, sweet, and incredibly flavorful sauce from simple ingredients.
- The Trader Joe’s Power Combo: This recipe is built around the unique flavor of the Lemon Torchietti and the convenience of the Aglio Olio seasoning. They are the key to getting that signature Trader Joe’s taste.
- Don’t Overcook the Shrimp: Shrimp cook very quickly. By cooking them first and adding them back at the very end, you ensure they are perfectly tender and not rubbery.
What To Serve With This Pasta
This is a wonderfully fresh and satisfying main course that is a complete meal on its own. It pairs perfectly with:
- A slice of crusty bread for sopping up any remaining sauce.
- A simple arugula salad with a lemon vinaigrette.
- A glass of the same crisp white wine you used in the sauce.
How To Store Leftovers
- Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. The pasta will continue to absorb the sauce as it sits.
- Reheat: For the best results, reheat the pasta gently in a skillet over low heat, adding a splash of water or broth to help loosen the sauce and restore its creaminess.
Lemon Torchietti Pasta Nutrition Facts
- Serving: 1/4 of recipe
- Calories: 650 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 75g
- Protein: 32g
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Sodium: 1250mg
Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.
FAQs
As the original recipe notes, you can use almost any pasta shape you like. A short, sturdy pasta with ridges, like rotini, cavatappi, or penne, would be a great substitute as it will hold the rustic sauce well.
Trader Joe’s Aglio Olio seasoning is a classic Italian-inspired blend of garlic, red pepper, and parsley. If you don’t have it, you can substitute with a good quality Italian seasoning blend, or simply a pinch of red pepper flakes and some extra fresh parsley.
Yes, easily. To make a delicious vegetarian version, simply omit the shrimp and add a can of drained and rinsed Trader Joe’s Garbanzo Beans (chickpeas) to the sauce during the last few minutes of cooking.
Try More Recipes:
Trader Joe’s Lemon Torchietti with Shrimp Recipe
Course: DinnerCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy4
servings15
minutes30
minutes650
kcalA quick and easy one-pan pasta dish featuring Trader Joe’s signature Lemon Torchietti, succulent shrimp, and a rustic, slow-cooked cherry tomato sauce.
Ingredients
1 box Trader Joe’s Lemon Torchietti
1 lb. Shrimp, peeled and deveined
8 tbsp Olive Oil, divided
3 Garlic Cloves, chopped
1 tsp Trader Joe’s Aglio Olio Seasoning
2 lbs Cherry Tomatoes
¼ cup Dry white wine
1 cup Chopped fresh herbs (parsley/basil)
Zest of 1 lemon
Directions
- Cook the pasta according to package directions; reserve about 1 cup of the cooking water before draining.
- In a large skillet, sauté the shrimp in 2 tbsp of olive oil until just pink; remove and set aside.
- In the same skillet, gently cook the garlic in the remaining 6 tbsp of olive oil until fragrant. Add the seasonings, tomatoes, and wine.
- Simmer the tomato sauce for 25-30 minutes until the tomatoes have burst and created a sauce.
- Return the shrimp to the sauce to warm through. Stir in the lemon zest.
- Transfer the hot pasta directly to the skillet with the sauce. Add a splash of the reserved pasta water.
- Remove from the heat, stir in the fresh herbs, and toss everything to combine. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Save the Pasta Water: The most important tip for this recipe is to save the starchy pasta water. It’s the non-negotiable secret to creating a silky, restaurant-quality sauce that clings to the pasta.
- Slow-Cook the Tomatoes: Don’t rush the sauce. The 25-30 minute simmer time is key to developing the sweet, rich flavor from the fresh cherry tomatoes.
- The TJ’s Stars: This recipe shines when using the specific Lemon Torchietti for its bright flavor and the Aglio Olio seasoning for a convenient flavor boost.
- Finish with Fresh Herbs: Adding the fresh parsley and basil at the very end, off the heat, preserves their vibrant color and fresh flavor.
