Name: Spicy Shrimp Pasta
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: Italian
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

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★★★★★ 5 from 2 votes

Spicy Shrimp Pasta is a light, healthy pasta dish that’s perfect for the seafood lover! It’s easy to make, light, packed with flavor and done in 30 minutes.

Overhead view of spicy shrimp pasta in bowl

While I love seafood, I just don’t buy it all the time. But every time I do make it for dinner, I realize I should cook it more often. Luckily, recipes like this spicy shrimp pasta make it easy to do that! Like my Shrimp Pesto Pasta, it comes together in a snap, but the juicy shrimp and big spicy flavor make it taste like you ordered it from your favorite Italian restaurant.

Why This Spicy Shrimp Pasta Belongs on Your Weeknight Menu

This is a recipe you will make on the regular! Here’s what makes it so good.

Satisfying without being heavy. What I love about this dish is that it is doesn’t leave you with that “I’m stuffed” feeling that most pasta dishes do when you’re finished. But the shrimp still make it pleasantly filling!
Just the right balance of flavors. It has a kick of heat from the red pepper flakes, a slight hint of tomato and basil but not too overwhelming, and the perfect amount of tender shrimp mixed in with the pasta.
Quick and easy to make. Shrimp is an awesome weeknight protein because it cooks up super fast. And so does pasta! This is a dinner you can put together even on the busiest days.

Overhead view of ingredients for spicy shrimp pasta

What You’ll Need

Here’s a quick list of all the ingredients you’ll need to make this spicy shrimp pasta recipe. Scroll down to the recipe card to find the ingredient quantities and recipe instructions.

Fettuccine pasta – I think this is the best pasta shape for this dish and definitely contributes to those restaurant-style vibes, but you can really use any shape you like.
Large shrimp – Peeled and deveined.
Seasonings – A combination of smoked paprika, cayenne, and salt, plus pepper flakes for some additional kick.
Olive oil – Or swap in butter for a little extra richness.
Shallot – This adds a subtle onion flavor to the dish, but you can swap in a yellow onion if you’d like.
Garlic – I don’t think it’s possible to make a good pasta dish without garlic!
Cherry tomatoes – Grape tomatoes work too. These make the pasta saucy without adding actual tomato sauce, which would overwhelm the shrimp.
White wine – Be sure to use a dry white wine like Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc. Chicken broth can be used for an alcohol-free version of this dish.
Fresh basil – Chopped basil adds a nice freshness to finish.
Grated parmesan – For a nutty, savory richness.

How to Make Spicy Shrimp Pasta

Here’s a visual overview of the steps involved in making this easy weeknight pasta dinner!

Overhead view of uncooked shrimp tossed in bowl with seasoning — Season the shrimp.

Overhead view of shrimp cooking in skillet — Season the shrimp.

Cook the pasta. Follow the package instructions and cook the pasta to al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta water before draining.
Season the shrimp. Meanwhile, toss the shrimp with the smoked paprika, cayenne, and salt.
Cook the shrimp. Heat a skillet over medium-high. Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil and sear the shrimp for 2 minutes per side. Transfer the shrimp to a plate.

Overhead view of shallots and garlic cooking in skillet — Cook the shallot and garlic.

Overhead view of wine being poured into skillet of cherry tomatoes — Cook the shallot and garlic.

Cook the veggies. Add another tablespoon of oil to the skillet and cook the shallots and garlic for 2 minutes, Add the tomatoes and cook until they’re softened and blistered.
Deglaze the pan. Pour the wine into the pan and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom. Add the red pepper flakes and simmer for a minute.

Overhead view of basil and parmesan added to pan of spicy shrimp pasta — Add the pasta, shrimp, cheese, basil, and cooking water.

Overhead view of spicy shrimp pasta in pan — Add the pasta, shrimp, cheese, basil, and cooking water.

Put it all together. Add the pasta, shrimp, basil, Parmesan, and reserved water to the skillet and toss to combine. Serve with additional cheese and basil for garnish, if desired.

Tips and Variations

These additional pointers will help you make the perfect plate of spicy shrimp pasta.

Salt the water. Don’t forget to season your pasta water with salt before adding the pasta. This helps to flavor the pasta from within!
Reserve the cooking water. It’s so easy to forget this! But that cooking water from the pasta is starchy, so it helps bring the finished dish together.
Add more veggies. Add in some extra vegetables like zucchini, yellow squash, or red bell pepper.

Overhead view of 2 bowls of spicy shrimp pasta

Serving Suggestions

Serve this pasta with a salad on the side—my Burrata Caprese or Classic Caesar Salad would both be perfect! Or if you’d rather have your veggies cooked, pair your spicy shrimp pasta with Roasted Green Beans and Mushrooms or Sautéed Garlic Spinach.

How to Store and Reheat Leftovers

Refrigerator: Store leftover spicy shrimp pasta in an airtight container for up to 3 days in the refrigerator.
To reheat: Warm your leftovers in a skillet set over medium heat with a splash of broth, or in the microwave. Just be careful not to overheat the shrimp or they’ll get rubbery.