Elegant enough for a dinner party but simple enough to prepare any night of the week, this pasta dish makes good use of quick-cooking shrimp and two types of tomatoes.

　　

Ingredients

Serves 4

　　1 1/2 pounds medium shrimp, peeled and deveined (tails removed)

　　Coarse salt and fresh ground pepper

　　6 teaspoons olive oil

　　2 garlic cloves, minced

　　1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes in juice

　　1 pint cherry or grape tomatoes, halved

　　1/2 pound linguine

　　1 1/2 cups lightly packed fresh basil leaves, torn into small pieces, plus extra leaves for garnish (optional)

　　

Step 1

Season the shrimp with salt and pepper. In a large skillet, heat 4 teaspoons of the oil over high heat. Add the shrimp; cook until opaque throughout, turning occasionally, about 3 minutes. Transfer to a bowl; set aside.

　　

Step 2

Make the sauce: To the same skillet, add the remaining 2 teaspoons oil and the garlic; cook over medium heat until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add the canned tomatoes and their juice, along with 2 cups water; bring to a boil. Reduce the heat; simmer, stirring occasionally, until the tomatoes have softened and are saucy, about 15 minutes. Remove the sauce from the heat; stir in the cherry tomatoes.

　　

Step 3

Meanwhile, in a large pot of boiling salted water, cook the pasta until al dente according to the package instructions. Drain; return the pasta to the pot. Add the tomato sauce, shrimp, and basil; season with salt and pepper, and toss. Serve immediately, garnished with basil leaves, if desired.

　　Reprinted with permission from Everyday Food: Great Food Fast by Martha Stewart Living Magazine. Copyright © 2007 by Martha Stewart Living Magazine. Published by Crown Publishing Group. All Rights Reserved.Martha Stewart Living magazine was first published in 1990. Over the years, more than two dozen books have been published by the magazine's editors.Martha Stewart is the author of dozens of best-selling books on cooking, entertaining, gardening, weddings, and decorating. She is the host of The Martha Stewart Show, the successful daily syndicated television show.