This Zesty Spicy Garlic Shrimp Pasta is a flavor explosion that’s ready in under 30 minutes! Tender shrimp are coated in a vibrant, zesty sauce with a touch of heat, then tossed with perfectly cooked pasta.
This easy shrimp pasta recipe is a weeknight winner, bursting with garlic, spice, and a delightful, satisfying creaminess.
Recipe Details
- Flavor Profile: Bold and zesty with a pleasant kick of heat, balanced by the richness of garlic and the freshness of lemon.
- Textures: Tender shrimp, perfectly cooked pasta, and a velvety sauce that clings to every strand.
- Total Time: About 25 minutes, with minimal active cooking time.
- Difficulty: Beginner-friendly; simple techniques, easy to follow.
What You’ll Need
This delicious shrimp pasta comes together with a handful of fresh ingredients. You’ll need plump shrimp, your favorite pasta, and a flavorful sauce base. The sauce is infused with garlic, zesty lemon, and a touch of heat from red pepper flakes. Fresh parsley adds a bright, herbaceous finish.
Ingredient Notes
- – Shrimp – Use large or jumbo shrimp, peeled and deveined. Fresh shrimp offers the best flavor, but frozen, thawed shrimp works well too.
- – Pasta – Spaghetti or linguine are classic choices, but your favorite shape will work!
- – Garlic – Fresh garlic is essential for the best flavor. Mince or press it for maximum impact.
- – Red Pepper Flakes – Adjust the amount to control the level of heat; add more for a spicier pasta.
- – Olive Oil – Extra virgin olive oil adds richness and helps create the sauce.
- – Lemon – Both the zest and juice of a fresh lemon brighten the flavors.
- – Butter – A little butter helps create a creamy sauce and adds depth of flavor.
- – Heavy Cream – Adds that luxurious creaminess to the sauce.
- – Fresh Parsley – Chopped fresh parsley provides a fresh, bright finish to the dish.
Add-ins and Substitutions
- Spice it up: Add a pinch more red pepper flakes for extra heat, or a dash of your favorite hot sauce.
- Add protein: Consider adding some grilled chicken.
- Veggies: Add some spinach.
How to Make Zesty Spicy Garlic Shrimp Pasta
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add your pasta and cook according to package directions, until cooked. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta water, then drain the pasta and set aside.
- While the pasta is cooking, pat the shrimp dry with paper towels.
- In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the shrimp and cook for 2–3 minutes per side, until pink and cooked through. Remove the shrimp from the skillet and set aside.
- In the same skillet, reduce the heat to medium. Add the butter and garlic, and cook for about 1 minute, until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic.
- Add the red pepper flakes, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Stir to combine.
- Pour in the heavy cream and cook for 2–3 minutes, until the sauce slightly thickens.
- Add the cooked pasta to the skillet, along with the cooked shrimp. Toss to coat evenly in the sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add a little of the reserved pasta water to thin it out.
- Stir in the parsley. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve immediately.
Pro Tip: Don’t overcook the shrimp. They cook quickly, and overcooked shrimp can become rubbery!
Recipe Tips
- Don’t Overcook the Shrimp: Shrimp cooks very quickly, so keep a close eye on it. Cook it just until it turns pink and opaque.
- Use Fresh Ingredients: The best flavor comes from fresh garlic, lemon, and parsley.
- Adjust the Spice Level: Control the heat by adjusting the amount of red pepper flakes.
- Salt the Pasta Water: Generously salt the pasta water. It seasons the pasta from the inside out. This makes a big difference in the final flavor.
- Reserve Pasta Water: Saving some of the pasta water is critical. It helps the pasta and sauce meld, and it can be used to thin the sauce if needed.
FAQs
- Can I use frozen shrimp? Absolutely! Thaw the shrimp completely before cooking.
- What if I don’t have heavy cream? Half-and-half or even milk will work, but the sauce won’t be as rich or creamy.
- Can I make this pasta ahead of time? This dish is best served immediately, but you can prep the ingredients ahead of time. See “Make This Recipe in Advance” for more info.
- How do I store leftovers? Store leftover pasta in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. The sauce may thicken as it cools. Reheat gently on the stovetop with a splash of water or pasta water.
Serving Suggestions
- Garlic Bread: Serve this shrimp pasta with a side of garlic bread to soak up the delicious sauce.
- Simple Salad: A fresh green salad with a light vinaigrette is a perfect way to balance the richness of the pasta.
- Crusty Bread: Crusty bread is excellent for soaking up all the amazing sauce.
- Roasted Vegetables: Serve the pasta alongside a side of roasted vegetables like broccoli or asparagus.
Make This Recipe in Advance
You can prep some components ahead of time. Marinate the shrimp up to a day in advance. Chop the garlic and parsley and zest the lemon. Cook the pasta right before serving for the best results.
Zesty Spicy Garlic Shrimp Pasta
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 2-3 servings 1x
Description
This Zesty Spicy Garlic Shrimp Pasta is a flavor explosion that’s ready in under 30 minutes! Tender shrimp are coated in a vibrant, zesty sauce with a touch of heat, then tossed with perfectly cooked pasta.
Ingredients
⅔ lb (300g) raw prawns shrimp thawed, peeled, deveined
⅔ lb (300g) linguine or spaghetti
1 lb (500g) fresh tomatoes ~4 large, ripe, diced
1 cup fresh parsley finely chopped, about a handful
1 tablespoon tomato paste
2 cloves garlic minced
½ tablespoon dried chilli flakes or adjust to taste
1 teaspoon brown sugar or white sugar
salt and pepper to taste
2 tablespoon olive oil optional: extra to serve
Prawn (shrimp) seasoning
1 glove garlic minced
¼ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon paprika sweet or smokey
1 tablespoon olive oil
To serve (optional)
fresh parsley finely chopped
chilli flakes
extra virgin olive oil
parmesan cheese
Instructions
1. Toss shrimp with prawn seasoning ingredients. Set aside.
2. Cook linguine according to package directions, with salted water, until al dente.
3. Sear seasoned shrimp in a pan over high heat for 1 minute per side. Remove and set aside.
4. In the same pan, add olive oil, garlic, and tomato paste. Cook until fragrant and garlic is lightly golden. Add tomatoes, chili flakes, and sugar. Season with salt and pepper. Simmer with the lid on for about 10 minutes.
5. When pasta is ready, return shrimp to the pan with parsley. Add drained pasta and cup pasta water.
6. Toss pasta with sauce and serve with olive oil, parsley, parmesan cheese, and chili flakes, if desired.
Notes
Don’t Overcook the Shrimp: Shrimp cooks very quickly, so keep a close eye on it. Cook it just until it turns pink and opaque.
Use Fresh Ingredients: The best flavor comes from fresh garlic, lemon, and parsley.
Adjust the Spice Level: Control the heat by adjusting the amount of red pepper flakes.
Salt the Pasta Water: Generously salt the pasta water. It seasons the pasta from the inside out. This makes a big difference in the final flavor.
Reserve Pasta Water: Saving some of the pasta water is critical. It helps the pasta and sauce meld, and it can be used to thin the sauce if needed.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Pasta
- Cuisine: Italian-Inspired
Nutrition
- Calories: Approximately 500-600 calories per serving (estimate)
- Fat: Approximately 25-35g per serving (estimate)
- Carbohydrates: Approximately 50-60g per serving (estimate)
- Protein: Approximately 25-30g per serving (estimate)
