Intro

The Carrabba’s Pasta Weesie Recipe is one of the food items that will make you stop halfway through your meal and say to yourself, Oh my goodness.

It is creamy, garlicky, buttery and loaded with shrimp that have tasted like they have been kissed by the sea and sauteed by angels.

It was the first time that I had this at Carrabba’s and I was convinced that this was done using some kind of Italian magic secret.

However, today I am telling you how to replicate the same restaurant-like taste in your home kitchen. And there is no magic behind it, there are just good ingredients and a few tips the chef has acquired through the years.

This is not ordinary pasta; it is comfort in a cream, a bowl of hugs, and a crowd-pleaser at dinner.

Now, let us sink into the preparation of the Carrabba’s Pasta Weesie Recipe at home.

What is Carrabba’s Pasta Weesie?

Carrabba’s Pasta Weesie is an Italian-inspired pasta seafood meal prepared using tender shrimp that is cooked in butter, garlic, and mushrooms and then tossed with linguine or fettuccine in the rich Alfredo-style sauce. It is a creamy and indulgent sauce, composed of rich cream, Parmesan cheese and a little lemon juice to balance everything.

It is named after the sister of one of the founders, who, in fact is called Weesie, and who inspired this luxurious yet soothing invention. The shrimp Alfredo and a buttery scampi had a lovechild, with the Carrabba touch.

This dish is simple, and that is its beauty; each ingredient is dominant. You have the sweetness of shrimps, the earthiness of mushrooms, and the richness of the creamy sauce all combined in one harmonious dish.

The Narrative of how I found this Dish.

I tasted Carrabba’s Pasta Weesie first when my husband and I visited it on the weekend. We had been on a road trip all day, tired, starved, and in need of something special and warm.

I did it just because I wanted to order it, and, in most ways, because I like shrimp and pasta, and, well, the name of the place, Weesie, caught my attention.

As I received it, I smelled it first, the aroma being a blend of garlic, butter and Parmesan. And after one bite, I realized that I had discovered something worth a recreation. I have since been cooking and re-cooking my own Carrabba’s Pasta Weesie Recipe on Sunday afternoons ever since, and now it has become a family staple in my kitchen.

Equipment List

You do not require expensive equipment to prepare this restaurant-style dish at home, you only require some basic kitchen supplies:

Large skillet or sauté pan
Medium saucepan (for pasta)
Colander
Silicone spatula or wooden spoon.
Tongs
Grater (for fresh Parmesan)
Measuring cups and spoons

Ingredients

The following are the ingredients you will be required to prepare the Carrabba’s Pasta Weesie Recipe:

For the Pasta:

12 oz fettuccine or linguine
Salt for boiling water

For the Sauce:

1 stick (½ cup) unsalted butter
1 tablespoon olive oil
4 cloves garlic, finely minced
8 oz mushrooms, chopped off (cremini or button are the best)
1 pound of shrimp (peeled and deveined).
1 cup heavy cream
½ cup chicken broth
3/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese.
1 tablespoon lemon juice (squeezer)
1 teaspoon salt (add to taste)
½ teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (add this spice to add a bit of heat)
Fresh parsley for garnish

Instructions For Carrabba’s Pasta Weesie Recipe

1. Boil the Pasta:

Heat a big pot of salty water to a boil. Add pasta and cook according to the package instructions. Reserve approximately 1/2 cup of pasta water.

2. Sauté the Mushrooms:

Melt 2 tablespoons of butter mixed with olive oil in a large skillet on medium heat. Add mushrooms, sliced and cook till tender and golden brown – about 6-8 minutes. Remove and set aside.

3. Cook the Shrimp:

Add more butter (another tablespoon) into the pan. Add shrimp, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Bake on both sides 2 to 3 minutes until pink and opaque. Take away and put aside with mushrooms.

4. Make the Sauce:

Pour the remaining butter in the skillet and saute the garlic till fragrant (approximately 30 seconds). Add heavy cream and chicken broth to the stirring mixture. Simmer it for 4-5 minutes, and begin to thicken slightly.

5. Add the Cheese and Lemon:

Add Parmesan cheese in bits till melted and the sauce becomes smooth. Add lemon juice, black pepper and red pepper flakes.

6. Combine Everything:

Put cooked pasta, mushrooms and shrimp in the skillet. Gently toss to cover in the sauce. Splash the remaining pasta water in case it becomes thick.

7. Garnish and Serve:

Parsley and a bit more Parmesan can be sprinkled on top and served.

Flavor Notes and Texture

It is a matter of balance in this dish. Carrabba’s Pasta Weesie Recipe combines the cornmeal cream sauce and the fine sweetness of shrimp. The lemon makes it taste lighter, the garlic makes it richer, the mushrooms make it earthy and all these points make it complete.

The sauce clings to all the strands of pasta making each bite heavenly. You have the richness of Alfredo but it is lighter and fresher due to the seafood.

Suggestions about Perfect Pasta Weesie.

Fresh shrimp: It will make the difference. Even frozen but first thaw before cooking.

Do not cook the shrimp too long: they must be juicy and merely pink–beyond that, they will be rubbery.

Fresh Parmesan itself: Pre-grated cheese will not melt into the sauce.

Even out the cream: When your pasta sauce seems to be too thick, add a splash of chicken broth or pasta water to make it lighter.

Zest of lemon bonus: Pinch lemon zest torches the cream sauce.

Suggestions on what to serve with the Pasta Weesie by Carrabba.

This is a rich pasta that can be the main dish of your meal, and it will be even better when it is combined with something light. Try:

Green salad on ice with a dressing of balsamic.
Garlic bread or focaccia
Roasted or steamed asparagus or broccoli.
Kooled white wine- Pinot Grigio or Chardonnay.

How to Store and Reheat

Should you ever have any leftovers (this never happens in my household), then these are to be dealt with as follows:

Storage: Store in an airtight container for not more than 3 days in the fridge.

Reheating: Reheat it on the stovetop on low heat with a splash of cream or milk to restore the smooth texture of the sauce. Do not microwave- it will dry up the shrimp.

The Reason You Will Enjoy Making It at Home.

The most interesting thing regarding the preparation of the Carrabba’s Pasta Weesie Recipe at home is its customizability. Want it spicier? Add more red pepper flakes. Craving extra creaminess? Add one spoonful of mascarpone or cream cheese.

Also, it is a high-class yet simple dinner, something that is three stars, but you do not need a degree in the arts. I have used it on dinners, date nights and even casual events. It never fails to impress.

Variations to Try

When you have perfected the classic version, manipulate the following ideas:

Chicken Weesie: Replace shrimp with grilled chicken in very thin slices.

Lobster Weesie: To add a frivolous touch, cut pieces of lobster tail.

Veggie Version: Omit shrimp and substitute it with spinach, sun-dried tomatoes or roasted red peppers.

Light Sauce: Substitute half-and-half with cream and trim the butter a little.

Final Thoughts

Pasta Weesie by Carrabba is one of those types of dishes that you take your time over. It is decadent yet unpretentious, rich yet light. Whenever I prepare it, I recall that food does not need to be fancy to be good; it just requires passion.

Then, when you feel the need to have something warm but classy, uncork a bottle of wine, break out the skillet, and prepare this Cheesecake Factory Pasta Weesie Recipe (I mean, Carrabas!).

Love will be in every bite of the creamy, garlicky, shrimp-laden bites.

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