Zesty Seafood Twist: Simple Shrimp Spaghetti Recipe

Sizzling summer nights call for a delectable shrimp spaghetti recipe that blends ocean-fresh flavors with comforting pasta perfection.

Mediterranean-inspired ingredients dance together in this quick and elegant dish.

Succulent shrimp nestle between strands of al dente pasta, creating a symphony of textures and tastes.

Garlic, fresh herbs, and a splash of white wine infuse each bite with vibrant, zesty notes.

The recipe comes together in less than 30 minutes, making it a perfect weeknight dinner solution.

With minimal ingredients and maximum flavor, this shrimp spaghetti promises to become your new go-to meal.

Dive into this restaurant-quality plate that brings the coastal charm right to your dinner table.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Calories: 411 kcal

Servings: 5

What You Need for Shrimp Spaghetti

• Spaghetti: Classic Italian pasta that creates the perfect foundation for this seafood dish, choose high-quality bronze-cut pasta for better sauce absorption.

• Shrimp: Sweet and succulent seafood that brings oceanic freshness, select large, deveined shrimp for quick and easy preparation.

• Butter: Creamy ingredient that adds rich depth and helps create smooth sauce, use unsalted butter for better flavor control.
• Garlic: Aromatic powerhouse that provides intense savory notes, choose fresh garlic cloves for maximum flavor punch.
• Lemon Juice: Bright citrus element that adds zesty tang and balances the richness, use fresh-squeezed for vibrant taste.
• Parmesan Cheese: Salty, nutty cheese that adds complexity and creamy texture, opt for freshly grated wheel cheese for best results.

• Salt: Essential mineral that amplifies overall taste profile, use sea salt or kosher salt for clean seasoning.
• Crushed Red Pepper: Spicy kick that provides subtle heat and warmth, adjust quantity based on personal heat preference.

• Flour: Subtle binding agent that helps create silky sauce consistency, use all-purpose flour for smooth texture.

• Fresh Parsley: Vibrant herb that adds color and fresh herbaceous note, choose bright green leaves with no wilting.

Tools to Prepare Shrimp Spaghetti Like a Pro

• Large pot: For boiling spaghetti and cooking pasta perfectly.
• Large pan: Essential for sautéing shrimp and creating the creamy sauce.
• Wooden spoon or spatula: Helps stir ingredients and toss pasta evenly.
• Measuring tablespoons: Precise for adding butter and measuring ingredients.
• Colander: Needed to drain cooked spaghetti quickly.
• Kitchen knife: For chopping fresh parsley as a garnish.
• Cutting board: Provides a clean surface for chopping herbs.

Step-by-Step Guide to Cooking Shrimp Spaghetti

• Pasta Preparation

Boil water in a large pot and cook spaghetti until perfectly tender. Save a cup of the starchy cooking liquid for later magic.

• Shrimp Sizzle

Heat butter in a spacious skillet and toss in shrimp with a pinch of spice. Watch them transform from gray to a beautiful pink in just moments. Scoop out the cooked seafood and set aside.

• Flavor Foundation

In the same warm pan, melt more butter and introduce minced garlic. Let the kitchen fill with an irresistible aroma that makes mouths water.

• Sauce Symphony

Splash in tangy lemon juice, sprinkle parmesan, and whisk in a touch of flour. Pour in the reserved pasta water to create a silky, luxurious sauce that clings to every strand.

• Final Flourish

Return shrimp to the pan and gently twirl spaghetti through the creamy sauce. Plate with a generous shower of extra parmesan and a sprinkle of fresh parsley for a restaurant-worthy meal that sings with ocean-fresh flavor.

Flavor Boosters & Smart Tweaks for Shrimp Spaghetti

• Replace shrimp with scallops, crab, or white fish for a different protein twist that keeps the recipe exciting and versatile.
• Adjust crushed red pepper levels to match your heat tolerance, from mild sprinkle to fiery explosion for heat lovers who crave extra kick.
• Skip the shrimp and add roasted vegetables like zucchini, bell peppers, or asparagus to create a delicious plant-based alternative that's equally satisfying.
• Use gluten-free spaghetti or zucchini noodles to accommodate dietary restrictions without compromising the recipe's incredible flavor profile.
• Splash in white wine before adding lemon juice for deeper complexity and a restaurant-quality sauce that elevates the entire dish's taste experience.

How to Serve Up Shrimp Spaghetti with Flair

• Coastal Dinner Party: Invite friends over for a Mediterranean-style evening, pairing the shrimp spaghetti with crisp white wine and soft candlelight.
• Herb Garden Garnish: Sprinkle extra fresh parsley or chives directly from your garden for a vibrant, aromatic touch that enhances the dish's visual appeal.
• Wine Pairing Magic: Select a chilled Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc to complement the lemony, buttery flavors of the shrimp spaghetti, creating a perfect balance of taste.
• Rustic Side Companions: Serve alongside a light Mediterranean salad with mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, and a simple olive oil vinaigrette to complete the meal's elegant simplicity.

Shrimp Spaghetti: Make-Ahead & Storage Insights

• Smart Serving Strategy: This delightful shrimp spaghetti works beautifully as a quick weeknight dinner or elegant weekend meal. Pair with a crisp white wine or fresh garden salad for a complete dining experience.
• Refrigeration Wisdom: Store leftover spaghetti in an airtight container for up to 2-3 days. The shrimp's delicate texture might slightly change, so enjoy within 24 hours for the best flavor and quality.
• Quick Reheat Technique: Gently warm the pasta in a skillet with a splash of chicken broth or extra pasta water. This prevents drying and helps restore the sauce's creamy consistency without overcooking the shrimp.
• Freezer-Friendly Caution: While technically possible to freeze, the dish's texture suffers. Cream-based sauces and seafood tend to separate and become grainy when thawed, so fresh preparation is recommended for optimal taste and texture.

Succulent Shrimp Spaghetti Recipe

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4.6 from 32 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Delightful shrimp spaghetti combines Mediterranean flavors with coastal elegance. Succulent prawns dance over al dente pasta, inviting home cooks to savor this simple yet sophisticated Italian-inspired classic.

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Ingredients

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• 1 lb (454 g) shrimp, large, peeled and deveined
• 8 oz (226 g) spaghetti
• 4 tbsps butter, divided
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 tbsps parmesan, freshly grated
• 2 tbsps parsley, fresh, chopped for garnish
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 2 tsps all-purpose flour
• ½ tsp crushed red pepper
• ¼ tsp salt

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Instructions

1. Pasta Preparation: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil, cooking spaghetti until al dente. Reserve a cup of pasta water before draining, ensuring optimal sauce consistency.
2. Shrimp Searing: Ignite a large skillet over medium-high heat, melting butter until it develops a golden, fragrant shimmer. Introduce shrimp seasoned with salt and crushed red pepper flakes, cooking until they transform to a vibrant pink and become translucent, approximately 3 minutes.
3. Flavor Building: Remove shrimp and retain skillet contents. Add remaining butter and minced garlic, releasing an intoxicating aroma. Deglaze with lemon juice, gradually whisking in reserved pasta water and parmesan cheese. Dust with a touch of flour to create a velvety, luxurious sauce.
4. Final Assembly: Reunite spaghetti and shrimp in the skillet, gently tossing to ensure each strand is lavishly coated with the zesty, creamy sauce. Transfer to serving plates, crowning the dish with an additional sprinkle of parmesan and a confetti of fresh parsley for a vibrant finish.

Notes

• Pasta Water Magic: Reserve a cup of starchy pasta water to create a silky, emulsified sauce that helps ingredients cling perfectly to spaghetti strands.
• Shrimp Searing Secrets: Cook shrimp quickly over medium-high heat for exactly 3 minutes to achieve a vibrant pink color without becoming rubbery or overcooked.
• Butter Balance: Use butter in stages to build layers of rich, nutty flavor and create a smooth, luxurious sauce base for maximum depth.
• Garnish with Gusto: Sprinkle fresh parsley and extra parmesan just before serving to add bright, fresh notes and elevate the final presentation of the dish.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 411
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 351 mg
• Fat: 16 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 49 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 21 g
• Cholesterol: 166 mg