Spicy Parmesan Shrimp Pasta

This Spicy Parmesan Shrimp Pasta is one of the most indulgent meals you’ll ever have. It’s yummy, easy, and will be ready in minutes. Pair with a healthy side of any salad of your choice.

This Spicy Parmesan Shrimp Pasta dish is one of the most indulgent meals you’ll ever have. It’s yummy, easy, and will be ready in minutes. Pair with a healthy side of any salad of your choice.
If you’re someone like me who occasionally enjoys creamy indulgent pasta dishes then I have a feeling you’ll love this creamy shrimp pasta.

It’s not often that I eat creamy foods but when I do, I go all out because why not? And on this particular day, I wasn’t feeling so I was happy to eat something like this. I wouldn’t say I’m an emotional eater because I love to eat no matter what mood I’m in.

Anyway, back to this spicy parmesan shrimp pasta. The way I cooked this meal will be a fave for spice lovers. However, if you can’t really tolerate some heat, you can reduce the red pepper flakes used, or even add more if you want it extra hot!
Let’s get into the ingredients.

Ingredients List and Substitution

• Linguini – I used linguini which is a flat pasta about 6mm wide when cooked. I like creamy pasta dishes with ribbon-like pasta shapes. Pappardelle and tagliatelle will work just as well as a substitute.
• Shrimps – to be honest, you can add as little or as many shrimps as you like. I’ve put the quantity of shrimp I used in the recipe card. All that matters is that you clean them, devein them and it’s up to you if you want the tail on or off. Fresh or frozen shrimp should work but not cooked shrimp.
• Heavy Cream – a simple table cream is sufficient for this recipe. Half and half can be used as an alternative but the sauce will have a richer and creamier consistency.
• Onion – white or yellow onions.
• Garlic Cloves – minced or sliced. if you slice them, make sure, they are very thin, or simply used a garlic press to mince the cloves.
• Parmesan Cheese – is an absolute must in this recipe and I cannot recommend an alternative because anything else will alter the taste of this parmesan shrimp pasta.
• Fresh Parsley – freshly chopped parsley adds a great deal of flavor to this dish. It adds a specific aroma and freshness you don’t want to miss.
• Olive Oil – needed to start the sauce and to sautee the shrimp.
• Butter – is an important ingredient for the sauce too!
• Black Pepper – freshly cracked or in powder form, it doesn’t really matter.
• Red Pepper Flakes – this is what makes this dish spicy. Add as much or as little as you can tolerate. Cayenne pepper is a great alternative.
• Italian seasoning – for added flavor.
• Salt – to flavor the pasta and sauce.

How To Cook Spicy Parmesan Shrimp Pasta

1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil and once it gets hot and bubbly, add salt and linguini pasta.
2. Set a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add olive oil, and fry shrimp for 2 minutes each on each side and set it aside.
3. In the same pan, add butter and wait till it’s completely melted. Add the chopped onions and garlic into the pan and stir fry for a minute and a half.
4. Add black pepper, a pinch of salt, and red pepper flakes. Stir to mix.
5. Next, set the heat to low and add cream to the pan. Stir and let it simmer for 2 minutes.
6. Add parmesan cheese to the creamy sauce and stir till it completely melts.
7. Pour 1/4 cup of pasta water into the cream sauce till it thickens up. Add shrimps back in.
8. Next, add the cooked pasta and chopped parsley, and stir till everything is well combined.
9. Check for salt and serve.

Recipe Tips

• Other types of pasta will work for these recipes too. My favorite substitutes are tagliatelle, fettuccine, and pappardelle.
• Adjust the number of red pepper flakes used according to your tolerance.
• Add more pasta water if the sauce becomes too thick for your liking.
• This spicy shrimp pasta is best served immediately because the cream might get thick and clumpy as it cools down.

Other Shrimp Pasta Recipes To Try

Simple Shrimp Scampi Pasta