Spicy Shrimp Pasta with Garlic and Tomatoes (Easy Weeknight Recipe)
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This Spicy Shrimp Pasta with Garlic and Tomatoes is a quick and flavorful 30-minute dinner. Juicy shrimp, fresh tomatoes, and garlic come together in a light, spicy sauce for the perfect weeknight meal.
Honestly, nothing beats a quick and easy shrimp pasta dinner the whole family can enjoy. I make this recipe often during the week, and while my 4-year-old isn’t the biggest pasta fan, my 6-year-old absolutely loves it! Especially the spice! My husband trained him early to enjoy bold flavors, so when I know he’s having some, I tone the heat down just enough so he can still enjoy every bite.
Over time, I’ve created many different versions of this spicy shrimp pasta , but this one is definitely a family favorite. Fun fact: my husband doesn’t eat cheese, so our pasta nights are usually light on dairy. But if your family loves cheese, this dish is even better topped with freshly grated Parmesan.
This garlic tomato shrimp pasta is quick, flavorful, and tastes like a restaurant-quality meal but it’s ready in just 30 minutes . Perfect for busy weeknights when you want a simple yet flavorful spicy shrimp dinner with minimal fuss.
Tiffany’s Tips
Don’t Overcook the Shrimp: One of the most common mistakes is overcooking shrimp, which makes them tough and rubbery. Shrimp cook very quickly – usually in just 3-4 minutes total. Watch their color and shape: as soon as they turn pink and start to curl into a C-shape , they’re perfectly cooked.
Prep Everything First: This dish comes together fast. Measure out your ingredients, mince the garlic, and have everything at the ready before you start cooking. Being prepared will make the cooking process smooth and enjoyable, and it ensures you don’t accidentally burn anything while multitasking.
Perfect Pasta Every Time: For the best pasta texture, remember to cook in ample salted water (it should taste like the sea). Undercook the pasta slightly (just to al dente) because it will continue to cook a bit when you toss it in the hot sauce. This prevents the pasta from turning mushy.
Balancing the Spice: Everyone’s spice tolerance is different. If you’re serving kids or spice-sensitive eaters, start with less hot pepper. On the flip side, if you love heat, consider adding more hot peppers.
Trust the Process (and Taste as You Go): This recipe has been tested to be weeknight-friendly and practically foolproof. As you cook, taste the sauce before adding the shrimp and pasta, and adjust the seasoning.
Substitutions and Variations
Pasta Options: This recipe is flexible with pasta types. Linguine or spaghetti works great, but you can use penne, fettuccine, or any pasta you have on hand.
Shrimp Alternatives: If you don’t have shrimp or have a shellfish allergy, you can still enjoy this garlicky tomato sauce with other proteins. Chicken is a great alternative as well. For a vegetarian twist, add hearty veggies or plant-based proteins: mushrooms (like king oyster or shiitake) or eggplant . You could also toss in a can of chickpeas or white beans for protein.
Storage Tips
If you have leftovers of your spicy shrimp pasta (lucky you! ), proper storage will keep it tasty and safe to eat. Refrigerate leftover pasta in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. If stored correctly, cooked shrimp and pasta will last about 3 to 4 days in the fridge.
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Spicy Shrimp Pasta with Garlic and Tomatoes (Easy Weeknight Recipe)
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 15-20 minutes
Total time: 30 minutes
Yeild: 2-3
Description
Shrimp Scampi is a Quick, Easy, Delicious and Elegant Dinner to prepare in less than 30 minutes without any hassle or stress. This is a fancy dinner that you can prepare in no time. Give this recipe a try!
Ingredients
- 16 oz fettuccine pasta
- 2 lbs large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter, divided
- 1 hot pepper of choice, finely chopped (Scotch bonnet, red chili, or jalapeño)
- 1 head of garlic, finely chopped
- ½ cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- ½ red onion, chopped
- ¼ cup fresh basil, torn or chopped
- ⅓ cup fresh parsley, chopped
- ½ cup white wine (dry white wine works best)
- ½ cup pasta water, reserved
- ½ cup chicken broth
- ½ tsp chicken bouillon
- ¼ tsp brown sugar, to balance acidity
- ¼ tsp paprika
- Creole seasoning, to taste
- ½ tsp lemon zest, optional
Instructions
Step 1: Cook the Pasta
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the fettuccine according to package directions until just al dente. Reserve a ½ cup of the pasta water, then drain and set aside.
Step 2: Prep and Season Shrimp
Prep Shrimp then pat shrimp dry with paper towels. Season with creole seasoning, paprika, salt, and black pepper.
Step 3: Cook the Shrimp
In a skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add the shrimp and sauté for about 2 minutes per side, until they turn pink and opaque. Remove the shrimp from the pan, transfer to a plate, and set aside while you prepare the pasta sauce.
Step 4: Build the Flavor Base
In a large skillet, heat olive oil and 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add the chopped garlic and onion, then sauté for 2–3 minutes until softened and fragrant—this creates the flavorful base for the shrimp pasta sauce.
Step 5: Deglaze and Create the Sauce
Add white wine to the skillet and simmer for 1–2 minutes, allowing the alcohol to cook off. Stir in cherry tomatoes, chicken broth and brown sugar. Season with chicken bouillon, creole seasoning, taste and pepper to taste. Allow to simmer for 3 minutes until the tomatoes soften and the sauce thickens slightly.
Step 6: Toss with Pasta
Add the cooked fettuccine, hot pepper and reserved pasta water to the pan. Toss until pasta is well coated in the sauce. Stir in basil, parsley, and lemon zest (if desired). Taste and Adjust flavor of pasta with chicken bouillon, creole seasoning, salt and pepper until balanced and perfectly seasoned.
Nutrition Facts
- Calories: ~440 kcal
- Protein: ~32 g
- Fat: ~12 g
- Carbohydrate: ~45 g
- Fiber: ~2 g
- Sugar: ~2 g
Category: DinnerQuick and Easy Weeknight Dinner
Keywords:
Pasta, shrimp, spicy pasta
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