Italian Shrimp Pasta Recipe
This quick and flavorful Italian Shrimp Pasta blends al dente spaghetti with garlicky olive oil, tender shrimp, chili flakes, and parsley for a light yet satisfying dish. It's simple, delicious, and ready in minutes — perfect for busy weeknights or casual gatherings.
Equipment
- Large frying pan
- Colander
- Wooden spoon or spatula
- Measuring cup
- Large pot
- Chef’s knife
- Cutting board
- Tongs
Ingredients
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 1½ cup shrimp
- 3 cups cooked long pasta
- 2 dashes hot pepper flakes or black pepper optional
- 1 pinch of pinches salt
- 3 tbsp Italian parsley
- 1 clove garlic
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta until al dente, stirring often to prevent sticking.
- While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large frying pan and add the garlic, chopped parsley, shrimp, salt, and hot pepper flakes.
- Cook over medium heat until the shrimp are no longer pink, about 5–6 minutes.
- If you're using pre-cooked shrimp, cook for just 1–2 minutes, stirring occasionally to avoid burning or sticking.
- Once the shrimp are ready, add the cooked pasta and ¼ cup of reserved pasta water to the pan.
- Increase the heat to high and toss everything together until the liquid evaporates and forms a light, creamy coating, about 1 minute.
- Serve immediately, garnished with fresh chopped parsley.
Notes
- Use high-quality extra virgin olive oil for richer flavor.
- Fresh parsley adds brightness—avoid dried for best results.
- Don’t overcook shrimp; they become rubbery if left too long.
- Adding a splash of lemon juice enhances freshness and balances richness.