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Quick Spicy Garlic Shrimp Pasta Primavera

spicy garlic shrimp pasta primavera - featured image

A quick and easy dinner featuring tender shrimp, crisp vegetables, and a spicy garlic sauce tossed with fresh pasta. Ready in just 25 minutes, it’s perfect for busy weeknights or casual dinner parties.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 8 ounces linguine or fettuccine pasta
  • 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon red chili flakes
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 cup zucchini, sliced into half-moons
  • 1 cup asparagus tips or cut into 1-inch pieces (optional)
  • 1/2 cup frozen peas, thawed
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
  • A handful fresh basil or parsley, chopped
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 ounces of pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente (about 8-10 minutes). Drain, reserving 1/2 cup of pasta water, and set aside.
  2. While pasta cooks, pat the shrimp dry with paper towels. Slice zucchini into half-moons, halve cherry tomatoes, and chop asparagus if using.
  3. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add shrimp in a single layer, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and cook for 2 minutes on one side until pink and slightly golden. Flip and cook another 1-2 minutes. Remove shrimp to a plate and set aside.
  4. In the same skillet, add remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil. Add minced garlic and red chili flakes, stirring for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Add zucchini, asparagus, peas, and cherry tomatoes. Cook for 4-5 minutes until veggies are tender but still crisp.
  5. Return shrimp to the pan with veggies. Add drained pasta and toss together. Pour in reserved pasta water a little at a time to loosen the sauce and combine flavors.
  6. Stir in fresh lemon juice and grated Parmesan cheese if using. Toss again until well combined. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
  7. Sprinkle chopped fresh basil or parsley over the top before serving. Serve immediately while warm.

Notes

Pat shrimp dry before cooking to get a good sear and avoid steaming. Use reserved pasta water to create a silky sauce. Adjust chili flakes to your preferred spice level. Fresh pasta enhances the dish but dried pasta works fine. For dairy-free, omit Parmesan or substitute with nutritional yeast.

Nutrition

Keywords: shrimp pasta, spicy garlic shrimp, pasta primavera, quick dinner, easy shrimp recipe, weeknight meal, seafood pasta