Spicy Shrimp Pasta is a light, healthy pasta dish that’s perfect for the seafood lover! It’s easy to make and done in 30 minutes.
Spicy Shrimp Pasta
Ok, so the other day I was looking through my Recipe Index and noticed that I am a seriously lacking in the Seafood department. It’s not because I don’t like it, because I do. I just don’t buy it all the time.
Today I am adding this Spicy Shrimp Pasta recipe to the mix because it has, you guessed… Seafood! 🙂
What I love about this dish is it is doesn’t leave you with this “I’m stuffed” feeling that most pasta dishes do when your finished. It has a kick of heat from the red pepper flakes, an slight hint of tomato & basil but not too overwhelming, and the perfect amount of tender shrimp mixed in with the pasta.
So if you are a “fish are friends not food” type person than this recipe is not for you. But if like seafood, namely Shrimp, then you need to make this dish. Oh, while I’m ordering you around.. follow my “Fish are friends AND Food” pinterest board. 🙂
Follow Krista @ Joyful Healthy Eats’s board Fish are friends, AND food! on Pinterest.
How to Make Spectacular Spicy Shrimp Pasta
To get started, bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add 1 pound of rigatoni pasta to pot. Cook until al dente, cooking time on pasta box. Reserve 1 cup of water for use later.
In the mean time, heat a large skillet to medium high heat. Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil to skillet. Next add 1.5 lbs. of large shrimp {peeled and deveined} to the pan in a single layer. Season with 1/4 teaspoon of red pepper flakes and a pinch of salt. Cook until just pink. {approximately 2 minutes per side} Transfer to a plate.
Next add 1 small chopped onion to the skillet, cook until translucent. {about 2-3 minutes}, then add 1 minced garlic clove and cook for 30 seconds. Immediately add in 1/4 cup of white wine to skillet and scrap up the brown bits off the bottom of the pan. Cook for about 1 minute. Add one 15oz. can of no-salt diced tomatoes, 1/4 cup of freshly chopped basil, 1/4 teaspoon of red pepper flakes, and 1/4 teaspoon of salt.
Smash the tomatoes a little bit and cook until slightly thickened, about 5 minutes. Stir in 2 tablespoons of half & half and cook 1 more minute. Add shrimp back to skillet, stir in pasta, and 1 cup of reserved cooking liquid. Season with salt and top with 1/4 cup of freshly chopped basil. Optional topping: parmesan cheese.
Spicy Shrimp Pasta
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Pasta
- Method: Stove
- Cuisine: Italian
Description
Spicy Shrimp Pasta is a light, healthy pasta dish that’s perfect for the seafood lover! It’s easy to make and done in 30 minutes.
Ingredients
- 1 lb. of fettucini pasta
- 1.5 lbs. of large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoon of olive oil
- 1/3 cup diced shallot
- 3 garlic clove, minced
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/4 cup of white wine
- 1/4 teaspoon of red pepper flakes
- 1/2 cup of pasta cooking water
- 1/2 cup of fresh basil, chopped
- 1/4 cup grated parmesan
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil.
- To a large bowl, add shrimp, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper and salt. Toss everything to coat the shrimp with the spices.
- Add pasta to the boiling water. Cook until al dente, according to package instructions.
- Heat a large skillet to medium high heat. Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil to the pan and along with seasoned shrimp.
- Sear shrimp for 2 minutes per side. Remove from pan and let rest on a plate.
- Immediately add 1 tablespoon of olive along with shallots and garlic. Saute for 2 minutes, stirring throughout.
- Next, add in cherry tomatoes and cook until they are softened and look slightly blistered, approximately 4-5 minutes.
- Deglaze with the white wine and add in the red pepper flakes. Simmer for 1 minute, stirring throughout.
- Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking liquid and drain the remainder the of water. Add the noodles to the pot with the tomatoes, along with the shrimp, fresh basil, parmesan and cooking liquid. Using tongs, gently toss the noodles to coat and mix everything together.
- Serve immediately. Top with additional parmesan and basil as desired.
