Hey pasta lovers! I’ve been experimenting with different shrimp spaghetti recipes for years, and I’m super excited to share my tried-and-tested method for making the most amazing shrimp spaghetti that’ll rival your favorite Italian restaurant. Trust me, once you master this recipe, you’ll never want to order it out again!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Ready in just 30 minutes
- Uses simple, everyday ingredients
- Restaurant-quality results at home
- Perfect balance of garlic and seafood flavors
- Creamy sauce without heavy cream
- Budget-friendly compared to restaurant prices
Essential Ingredients
For the Pasta:
- 8-16 oz spaghetti (depending on serving size)
- Salt for pasta water
For the Shrimp:
- 1-1¼ pounds large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 4-6 cloves garlic, minced
- ⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 4-6 tablespoons butter
- ¾ cup dry white wine
- 2-3 tablespoons lemon juice
- Red pepper flakes (to taste)
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Pro Tips Before You Start
-
Choose the Right Pasta Don’t use angel hair (too thin) or bucatini (too thick), Regular spaghetti or linguine works best
-
Shrimp Selection:
- Fresh or frozen both work great
- If using frozen, thaw completely and pat dry
- Large or jumbo size preferred
- Keep tails on for better presentation
-
Wine Selection Use a dry white wine you’d actually drink – avoid cooking wine!
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Prep Work (5 minutes)
- Bring a large pot of water to boil
- Clean and pat dry shrimp
- Mince garlic
- Chop parsley
2. Cook the Pasta (10-12 minutes)
- Add generous salt to boiling water- Cook pasta until al dente- IMPORTANT: Reserve 1-2 cups pasta water before draining!3. Make the Sauce (while pasta cooks)
-
Start the Base:
- Heat olive oil in large skillet over medium heat
- Add shallots (if using) and cook 1 minute
- Add garlic and red pepper flakes
-
Cook the Shrimp:
- Add shrimp to pan
- Season with salt and pepper
- Cook 2-3 minutes per side until pink
- Remove shrimp and set aside
-
Build the Sauce
- Add wine to same pan
- Let reduce by half
- Add butter and lemon juice
- Stir until butter melts
4. Bring It All Together
- Add cooked pasta to sauce
- Toss while adding reserved pasta water bit by bit
- Return shrimp to pan
- Add chopped parsley
- Adjust seasoning to taste
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- ❌ Overcooking the shrimp (they’ll get rubbery)
- ❌ Not saving pasta water (crucial for sauce consistency)
- ❌ Using cold butter (should be room temperature)
- ❌ Skipping the wine (adds depth to sauce)
Serving Suggestions
We love serving this with:
- Crusty garlic bread
- Simple green salad
- Glass of the same white wine used in cooking
Storage Tips
- Best eaten fresh
- Can store leftovers in airtight container for 2-3 days
- Reheat gently with splash of water to restore sauce
Recipe Variations
-
Spicier Version:
- Double red pepper flakes
- Add cayenne pepper
-
Lighter Version:
- Use less butter
- Increase lemon juice
- Add more herbs
-
Creamy Version:
- Add ¼ cup heavy cream
- Extra parmesan cheese
I gotta tell ya, this recipe has become my go-to for impressing dinner guests or just treating myself after a long week. The key is really in not overcooking those shrimp – nobody wants rubber bands in their pasta, am I right?
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 4-6 people
Would you like me to break down any part of the recipe in more detail? I’m happy to share more tips and tricks I’ve learned along the way!
Homemade Marinara vs Store Bought Sauce
You can use any of your favorite store-bought marinara sauce for this recipe. I like to make my own because it’s really simple to do. Here are the key ingredients:
- Crushed Tomatoes
- Dry White Wine (I use Pinto Grigio)
- Basil
- Oregano
- Bay Leaf
- Italian Seasoning
- Onions
- Garlic
What Type of Shrimp to Use
- Size: Larger shrimp are generally preferred for shrimp spaghetti because they offer a meatier texture and more prominent flavor. Some people also prefer medium-sized shrimp because they are easier to eat with pasta in a single bite. Pick what you prefer and check out our Shrimp Size and Count Per Pound Guide.
- Peeling and Deveining: For convenience, consider using peeled and deveined shrimp. This will save you time and effort during preparation.
- Fresh vs. Frozen: If you have access to fresh, high-quality shrimp, that’s the best option. However, frozen shrimp can work well too, especially if they are frozen shortly after being caught to preserve their quality. Thaw frozen shrimp before using them in the recipe.
- Tail-On or Tail-Off: The choice of whether to leave the tails on or off is largely a matter of personal preference. Leaving the tails on can enhance the presentation of the dish, but removing them will make eating more convenient.
How to Cook Shrimp Scampi with Pasta | Allrecipes
FAQ
Do you cook shrimp before adding to pasta?
If you’re using raw shrimp, let them simmer in the sauce until they’re mostly pink — a final addition of piping-hot pasta will help them cook all the way through. Precooked shrimp can be added right along with the pasta, since they just need to be warmed in the skillet.
What are the main ingredients in seafood spaghetti?
A classic Italian seafood pasta, with clams, mussels, shrimp, squid, and fresh tomato.
What is the best sauce to eat with shrimp?
These three must-have prawn dipping sauces – Homemade Cocktail Sauce, Tartare Sauce, and Sweet Chilli Lime Sauce – are my go-tos. Each one is simple, quick, and guaranteed to make your next seafood spread unforgettable.
What is the secret to good spaghetti?
The secret to good spaghetti lies in a combination of factors: properly cooking the pasta, developing a flavorful sauce, and ensuring they come together harmoniously.
How long does it take to cook shrimp spaghetti?
Shrimp Spaghetti is incredibly delicious and only takes 30 minutes to make. Bring a large pot of water to a roaring boil and cook pasta according to package directions, taking care to reserve a ½ cup of the pasta water before discarding.
How do you make shrimp spaghetti?
Shrimp spaghetti recipe uses a handful of simple ingredients that include pasta, protein, and pantry staples. Shrimp: Fresh shrimp or frozen shrimp, peeled and deveined. I used 31/40 per pound count. Follow package instructions to thaw shrimp in cold water or overnight in the fridge. Garlic: Fresh garlic cloves peeled and minced.
Can you cook shelled shrimp with spaghetti?
Using shelled shrimp makes it easy to cook shrimp with spaghetti. You can purchase frozen shelled shrimp at just about any grocery store or large wholesale store. We first cook the (shelled) shrimp in a little water in a pan until they are almost done – just a few minutes.
How do you make Spicy Shrimp Pasta?
Create a creamy spicy shrimp and spaghetti recipe by adding hot sauce, cayenne pepper, or garnish with crushed red pepper flakes. Cajun shrimp pasta is another option for adding heat. Simply add Cajun seasoning. Add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice toward the end of cooking for a delicious lemon garlic shrimp pasta.
What is shrimp spaghetti?
This recipe is for a dish called shrimp spaghetti. It’s a quick-cooking yet beautiful combination of succulent shrimp, bright tomatoes, and fresh chopped basil, all drenched in a to-die-for garlicky sauce and tossed with spaghetti noodles.
How much Jumbo Shrimp do I need for the spaghetti?
While waiting for your water to boil and spaghetti to cook, you will need 1 pound of jumbo shrimp (16/25 count), peeled and deveined, for the recipe.