17 Delectable Shrimp Pasta Recipes You Need to Try
Shrimp pasta is perfect for weeknight dinners cause it cooks fast and always feels fancy. Most of these recipes take 30 minutes or less which makes them great when you’re tired but want something good.
Shrimp goes with pretty much any sauce and pasta shape so you got lots of options. These recipes range from simple garlic butter to more complex curry flavors – something for every mood.
Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta
This is the simplest shrimp pasta and probably the best. Just garlic, butter, shrimp, and pasta with maybe some parsley thrown in. The key is not overcooking the shrimp or they get rubbery. Use lots of garlic cause that’s what makes it taste so good. This comes together in like 15 minutes and tastes way fancier than the effort involved.
Get the recipe here.
Shrimp Scampi with Linguine
Classic scampi has white wine, lemon, and garlic which makes the perfect light sauce. The wine cooks off but leaves behind great flavor. Don’t skip the lemon juice at the end – it brightens everything up. This is restaurant quality but super easy to make at home. Perfect for date nights or when you want to impress someone without much work.
Get the recipe here.
Creamy Tuscan Shrimp Pasta
This has sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, and cream which makes it rich and colorful. The sun-dried tomatoes add concentrated flavor that regular tomatoes can’t match. The spinach wilts right into the sauce which sneaks in some vegetables. This feels indulgent but comes together really quickly. Good for when you want comfort food that’s still somewhat fancy.
Get the recipe here.
Cajun Shrimp Alfredo
Adding cajun seasoning to regular alfredo makes it way more interesting. The spices wake up the rich cream sauce and give it some heat. You can control how spicy by adjusting the seasoning. Store-bought alfredo sauce works fine if you don’t want to make it from scratch. This is comfort food with a kick that kids and adults both love.
Get the recipe here.
Lemon Herb Shrimp Pasta
The fresh herbs and lemon make this taste bright and summery. Use whatever herbs you got – basil, parsley, oregano all work goodGet the recipe here.. The lemon keeps it from being heavy even with the olive oil. This is healthy-ish compared to cream-based sauces. Perfect for spring and summer when you want something light but still filling.
Get the recipe here.
Shrimp Carbonara
Traditional carbonara doesn’t have shrimp but adding it makes this more of a complete meal. The eggs and cheese create a silky sauce without any cream. The trick is taking the pan off heat before adding the eggs so they don’t scramble. This feels fancy but is actually pretty simple once you get the technique down. Great for using up leftover shrimp.
Get the recipe here.
Thai Curry Shrimp Pasta
This fusion dish combines Italian pasta with Thai flavors and it works surprisingly well. The curry paste gives it heat and depth while coconut milk makes it creamy. You can find curry paste at most grocery stores now. Add some vegetables like bell peppers or snap peas if you want. This is my personal favorite when I want something different and exciting.
Get the recipe here.
Mediterranean Shrimp Pasta
Olives, tomatoes, feta cheese, and herbs give this a Greek island vibe. The salty olives and cheese balance the sweet shrimp perfectly. Use good olive oil since it’s one of the main flavors. This is lighter than cream sauces but still really satisfying. Perfect for summer when you want something that feels like vacation food.
Get the recipe here.
Spicy Arrabbiata Shrimp Pasta
Arrabbiata means “angry” in Italian cause of all the red pepper flakes. The tomato sauce gets heat from the peppers and the shrimp cools it down a little. This is simple but has lots of flavor. You can adjust the spice level depending on who’s eating. Great for when you want something with personality that doesn’t take forever to make.
Get the recipe here.
Shrimp and Spinach Penne
The spinach wilts into the sauce and adds color and nutrients. This is a good way to sneak vegetables into pasta without anyone complaining. Penne holds onto the sauce better than long noodles. You can use fresh or frozen spinach – just squeeze out the water from frozen. This feels healthy but still tastes indulgent.
Get the recipe here.
Coconut Curry Shrimp Linguine
The coconut milk makes this creamy without using dairy. The curry powder gives it warmth and exotic flavor. This is milder than Thai curry but still interesting. You can add vegetables like peas or carrots if you want more nutrition. Good for people who like curry flavors but don’t want too much heat.
Pesto Shrimp Pasta
Store-bought pesto makes this super easy but homemade tastes way better if you got time. The basil in pesto goes perfectly with shrimp. Add some cherry tomatoes for color and freshness. This is great for summer when basil is everywhere. You can make it warm or serve it as pasta salad – both ways work good.
Blackened Shrimp Mac and Cheese
This takes regular mac and cheese and makes it grown-up with spiced shrimp. The blackening spices add heat and flavor to the creamy cheese sauce. This is definitely comfort food but the shrimp makes it feel more special. Kids love the mac and cheese part while adults appreciate the spicy shrimp. Perfect for family dinners.
Shrimp Pad Thai Pasta
This uses regular pasta instead of rice noodles but keeps all the pad thai flavors. The sweet and sour sauce with peanuts and lime tastes just like takeout. Bean sprouts and green onions add crunch and freshness. This is fusion cooking at its best – familiar but different. Way cheaper than ordering pad thai and just as good.
Sun-Dried Tomato Shrimp Pasta
Sun-dried tomatoes have concentrated flavor that makes everything taste richer. They come packed in oil which becomes part of the sauce. The tomatoes are chewy and intense which contrasts with the tender shrimp. This feels fancy but isn’t complicated to make. The red tomatoes look really pretty against pink shrimp.
Get the recipe here.
Honey Garlic Shrimp Lo Mein
This uses pasta instead of lo mein noodles but tastes just like Chinese takeout. The honey garlic sauce is sweet and savory and coats everything perfectly. Add whatever vegetables you got in the fridge. This comes together super fast which makes it perfect for busy weeknights. Kids love the sweet sauce while adults appreciate the garlic.
Get the recipe here.
Shrimp and Asparagus Pasta Primavera
Primavera means spring in Italian and this dish celebrates fresh vegetables. Asparagus is perfect in spring when it’s in season and cheap. The light sauce lets the vegetables and shrimp shine. You can add other spring vegetables like peas or snap peas. This feels healthy and fresh but still satisfying enough for dinner.
Get the recipe here.
