Description
Savor a flavorful and creamy Spicy Shrimp Pasta that’s quick to prepare in just 25 minutes. This dish features succulent shrimp cooked with a blend of red pepper flakes, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper, tossed in linguine with a rich, cheesy cream sauce and garnished with fresh parsley.
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 pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving 1/2 cup of the pasta water for later to adjust sauce consistency.
- Cook Shrimp: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant. Add the shrimp and cook for 2 to 3 minutes on each side until they turn pink and opaque. Season the shrimp with red pepper flakes, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, salt, and pepper. Remove the shrimp from the skillet and set aside.
- Make Sauce: In the same skillet, scrape up any browned bits left from shrimp cooking. Allow the liquid to simmer for 2 to 3 minutes to enhance flavor. Stir in the heavy cream and grated Parmesan cheese, cooking for an additional 2 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
- Combine: Return the cooked shrimp to the skillet and add the cooked pasta. Toss everything together to ensure the pasta is evenly coated with the sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add the reserved pasta water gradually to achieve the desired consistency.
- Serve: Garnish the pasta with freshly chopped parsley and serve immediately for the best flavor and texture.
Notes
- Adjust the amount of red pepper flakes and cayenne pepper to control the spiciness level.
- You can substitute chicken broth with vegetable broth for a vegetarian version (omit shrimp accordingly).
- Use freshly grated Parmesan for the best flavor.
- Make sure not to overcook the shrimp; they should be pink and opaque but still tender.
- Reserve pasta water to help loosen the sauce if needed and help it cling to the pasta better.
