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+ servings
Bowl of spicy shrimp pasta topped with fresh basil ready to serve

Spicy Shrimp Pasta

A cozy, restaurant-worthy shrimp pasta tossed in a spicy tomato cream sauce. Quick, easy, and ready in under 30 minutes.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Pasta
Cuisine Italian
Servings 4 people
Calories 520 kcal

Equipment

  • large skillet
  • Large pot (for boiling pasta)

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb linguine
  • 1 lb large shrimp peeled and deveined, tails on
  • 3-4 tablespoons olive oil divided
  • ½ teaspoon crushed Calabrian chili peppers or crushed red pepper divided
  • 2-3 –shallots finely chopped
  • 3 garlic cloves minced
  • ½ teaspoon dried oregano
  • ¾ cup white wine
  • 2 cups Italian cherry tomatoes or San Marzano tomatoes puréed with 2–3 fresh basil leaves
  • ¾ cup heavy whipping cream room temperature
  • 3-4 tablespoons fresh basil chopped
  • Salt to taste

Instructions
 

  • Cook the pasta in salted boiling water until al dente. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water, then drain and set aside.
  • While the pasta cooks, toss the shrimp with 2 tablespoons of olive oil, ¼ teaspoon Calabrian chili or crushed red pepper, and a pinch of salt.
  • Heat a large skillet over medium heat with 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Cook the shrimp until pink, about 3 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate and set aside.
  • In the same skillet, add another tablespoon of olive oil. Sauté the shallots until translucent, 3–4 minutes, then add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  • Pour in the white wine, scraping up any browned bits from the pan. Simmer until reduced by half.
  • Stir in the puréed tomatoes, the remaining ¼ teaspoon of Calabrian chili or crushed red pepper, oregano, and a pinch of salt. Simmer for 5–7 minutes.
  • Lower the heat and stir in the heavy cream until fully combined. Simmer for another 2 minutes.
  • Add the cooked pasta to the sauce, tossing to coat. If needed, add reserved pasta water a little at a time to loosen the sauce.
  • Return the shrimp to the pan and toss with the pasta. Sprinkle with fresh basil and serve immediately.

Notes

  • Don’t overcook the shrimp — they cook in just a few minutes and become rubbery if left too long.
  • Cook pasta al dente so it finishes perfectly in the sauce.
  • Let the white wine reduce by half before adding tomatoes for the best flavor.
  • Use room-temperature cream so it blends smoothly into the sauce.
  • Reserve pasta water to loosen the sauce if needed.
  • Finish with fresh basil for the brightest flavor.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 520kcalCarbohydrates: 55gProtein: 32gFat: 18gSaturated Fat: 8gSodium: 720mgFiber: 4gSugar: 6g
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