Spicy Shrimp Pasta in 30 Minutes

Instructions:

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil.
2. Add the pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente.
3. Before draining, scoop out ½ cup (120ml) of the cloudy pasta water and set it aside; drain the remaining pasta.
4. In a small bowl, toss the shrimp with paprika, salt, and pepper.
5. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat until it shimmers.
6. Add shrimp in a single layer and sauté for 2 minutes per side until opaque and pink; remove from pan and set aside.
7. Lower heat to medium and melt the butter in the same skillet.
8. Stir in the minced garlic and red pepper flakes, sautéing for 60 seconds until fragrant.
9. Stir in the tomato paste, cooking for 2 minutes until it turns a deep brick red.
10. Pour in the heavy cream and stir constantly until the sauce is a uniform, velvety orange, then simmer for 3-5 minutes until slightly thickened.
11. Stir in the Parmesan cheese and lemon juice until the cheese is completely melted.
12. Toss the cooked pasta and seared shrimp into the sauce, adding reserved pasta water as needed to achieve a restaurant-quality cling, and garnish with chopped parsley.