Recipe: Shrimp & Spinach Linguine*

As the holidays approach, it’s nice to have a full pantry of things you need for quick and easy meals.  This week you can pick up everyday products at a great price—especially at the Smith’s Mix and Match sale (continued from last week).  The savings are fabulous, but they come with a price—time that is.  You have to be willing to plan ahead and make a list of how you want to combine your groupings of 10 to get the things you need most.  Last week I bought 7 groupings of 10, and because I was one off on my counting, (which can happen when your cart is full of items), I just told the clerk to scan me an extra package of butter which I would grab before I left the store.  This made everything come out right.  In addition, I had coupons for most of my items, for a significant additional savings.  Check out my advice on Saving with Coupons to learn where you can obtain the coupons you need—it’s easier than you think.  This week I am going to note which items have coupons available from various sources so that you can see how much additional savings could be yours.  The only downside of the buy 10 get $5.00 off promo at Smith’s is that if they run out of some of the items, it messes up your plans.  So it’s best to either shop as early in the week as you can or have be flexible with planning your list from the featured items.

One product I think is very handy to have on hand is the Classico Pasta Sauce for $1.49 ($1.16 if you use the coupon!)  See instructions at the end of the letter for a simple and economical Shrimp & Spinach Linguine that I threw together in less than 30 minutes last week using the Classico sauce, frozen Green Giant Spinach, frozen cooked shrimp, and American Beauty Pasta---all of which are on sale at Smith’s this week.  It was almost like going to Olive Garden, and at a fraction of the cost!

The things you need for this dish are:

-A bottle of Classico Pasta Sauce (Four Cheese Alfredo, Classic Alfredo, or Sun Dried Tomato Alfredo)

-1 package of American Beauty or Ronzoni Linguini

-1/2 pound of any size frozen, cooked shrimp, thawed under cold running water, tails removed (just pinch the tails and squeeze, and they’ll pop of)

-1/2 a bag or so of frozen Kroger or Green Giant spinach (or Broccoli)

-Parmesan cheese if desired

While the pasta is boiling in salted water, pour a tablespoon or two of olive oil into a heated skillet and throw in the frozen spinach.  Stir occasionally as it is sautéing.  After it’s done, pour in the sauce, rinsing the jar with a little water to get it all out.  Add shrimp and simmer until it’s heated nicely—just a few minutes on low heat.

Rinse and drain the linguini and spoon sauce over the top.  Sprinkle with parmesan cheese if desired.

Serves 4.

*Originally posted in November 2013