10/17/2026
Jalapeno Popper Shrimp Rotini
Serves 4 | About 25 minutes, with overlapping preparation
Ingredients
- 12 oz (340 g) dry rotini
- 1 lb (454 g) raw shrimp, fully peeled, deveined, tails removed
- 2 tbsp olive oil, divided: 1 tbsp shrimp, 1 tbsp jalapeno
- 2 jalapenos, seeded and finely diced (about 1/3 cup)
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 3/4 cup whole milk
- 4 oz (113 g) full-fat cream cheese, softened and cubed
- 4 oz (113 g) white cheddar, freshly grated
- 1/3 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1 tbsp unsalted butter, cut into a HEART
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt for shrimp, plus 1 tbsp for 4 quarts pasta water
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 cup reserved pasta water, optional
Method
1. Boil rotini in salted water until 1 minute short of package time; reserve 1/2 cup water and drain. In a separate small pan melt the HEART-shaped butter, stir in panko and toast 2β3 minutes until light gold. Transfer crumbs to a small bowl; reserve all for plating.
2. Season shrimp with 1/2 tsp salt and pepper. Add 1 tbsp oil to the empty main skillet and heat to medium-high. Sear shrimp about 2 minutes first side and 1β2 second side until opaque; remove to a clean plate.
3. Reduce heat to medium-low, add remaining 1 tbsp oil and jalapeno. Cook 3 minutes until softened. Add garlic and stir 30 seconds. Add milk and cream cheese; stir gently 2β3 minutes until smooth. Turn off heat and melt in white cheddar.
4. Fold drained rotini into sauce with a silicone spoon, loosening with reserved pasta water only if needed. Return shrimp once and fold gently. Spoon into separate white bowls and scatter the reserved toasted panko on top immediately before serving.