Description
This Spicy Shrimp Pasta is a quick and flavorful dish ready in just 25 minutes. Tender linguine tossed with succulent shrimp cooked in a garlicky, smoky, and creamy sauce with a touch of heat from red pepper flakes, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper. Finished with Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley, this recipe balances spice and creaminess perfectly, ideal for a weeknight dinner or casual entertaining.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 8 oz linguine or spaghetti
Shrimp and Seasoning
- 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- Salt and pepper to taste
Sauce
- 1/2 cup chicken or vegetable broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Garnish
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Cook the linguine or spaghetti according to the package instructions. Once cooked al dente, drain the pasta, reserving 1/2 cup of the pasta water for later use, then set the pasta aside.
- Cook Shrimp: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant but not browned. Add the shrimp to the skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes per side, until they turn pink and opaque. Season the shrimp with red pepper flakes, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, salt, and pepper. Once cooked, remove the shrimp from the skillet and set aside.
- Make Sauce: In the same skillet, scrape up any browned bits left from cooking the shrimp. Pour in the chicken or vegetable broth and let it simmer for 2-3 minutes to reduce slightly. Then stir in the heavy cream and grated Parmesan cheese. Cook for an additional 2 minutes, stirring, until the sauce thickens slightly.
- Combine: Return the cooked shrimp to the skillet with the sauce, then add the cooked pasta. Toss everything together thoroughly to coat the pasta and shrimp with the spicy creamy sauce. Use the reserved pasta water as needed to loosen the sauce to your desired consistency.
- Serve: Transfer the pasta and shrimp to serving plates or a large bowl. Garnish generously with freshly chopped parsley and serve immediately while hot.
Notes
- Adjust red pepper flakes and cayenne pepper to control the level of spiciness.
- Use gluten-free pasta to make this dish gluten-free if needed.
- Reserve pasta water to help emulsify and loosen the sauce for better texture.
- Use fresh shrimp for best flavor, but frozen shrimp can be used if thawed properly.
- Parmesan cheese can be substituted with a vegetarian-friendly hard cheese to suit dietary needs.
