How to Use Frozen Cooked Shrimp in Pasta for Amazing Meals

Frozen cooked shrimp offer a convenient way to quickly prepare delicious shrimp pasta dishes. With a few simple preparation steps, you can turn a bag of frozen shrimp into a restaurant-quality pasta meal the whole family will love

In this comprehensive guide, I’ll share my best tips for using frozen cooked shrimp to make flavorful pasta recipes. Whether you want a speedy weeknight dinner or an impressive pasta dish for guests, these techniques will help you get perfect results every time.

Thawing Frozen Shrimp for Pasta

Before using frozen cooked shrimp in a pasta dish, you need to properly thaw them. Here are the safest thawing methods:

• Refrigerator Thawing – Place frozen shrimp in a bowl and let thaw overnight in the fridge

• Cold Water Thawing – Submerge a sealed bag of frozen shrimp in cold water. Thaw for 20-30 minutes, changing the water every 10 minutes.

Once thawed, pat the shrimp dry thoroughly with paper towels. Excess moisture will make them soggy when cooked.

Quick Tip

Only thaw as many shrimp as you need for your recipe. For convenience, thaw the full bag but return any unused thawed shrimp to the freezer.

Seasoning Shrimp for Pasta

After thawing, add flavor to your shrimp with quick and easy seasonings:

• Garlic – Minced garlic or garlic powder.

• Lemon – Lemon juice and/or zest.

• Herbs – Basil, oregano, parsley, cilantro.

• Spices – Crushed red pepper, paprika, Old Bay.

• Olive oil – Light coating of olive oil.

Experiment with combinations to find your favorite shrimp pasta seasoning.

Cooking Thawed Shrimp for Pasta

You can prepare thawed shrimp several ways before adding to pasta:

• Sauté – Cook briefly in olive oil and garlic.

• Simmer in Sauce – Add to pasta sauce and simmer for 2-3 minutes.

• Bake – Bake with garlic, lemon, breadcrumbs, etc.

• Grill – Toss with oil and quickly grill.

Cooking concentrates the shrimp flavors. But for tender shrimp, be careful not to overcook.

Quick Tip

If already cooked, thawed shrimp only need 30-60 seconds of cooking to heat through. Be extra careful not to overcook.

Best Pasta Shapes for Shrimp

When choosing pasta, opt for shapes that hold sauce or mix well with shrimp:

• Long pastas – Spaghetti, linguine, fettuccine, bucatini.

• Short pastas – Penne, fusilli, farfalle, orecchiette.

• Mini pastas – Ditalini, tubetti, conchiglie, quadrettini.

The pasta shape you choose can complement the shrimp’s texture and capture the sauce.

10 Delicious Ways to Use Shrimp in Pasta

With thawed, seasoned shrimp and your preferred pasta shape, you’re ready to make magic. Here are my go-to shrimp pasta dishes:

1. Shrimp Scampi with Angel Hair

Sauté shrimp in garlic, butter, and white wine, then toss with parsley, lemon, and Parmesan.

2. Shrimp Fra Diavolo with Linguine

Simmer shrimp in a spicy tomato sauce with garlic, crushed red pepper, and oregano.

3. Shrimp & Spinach Manicotti

Mix sautéed shrimp with spinach and ricotta. Stuff into manicotti shells and bake with tomato sauce.

4. Shrimp Fettuccine Alfredo

Stir shrimp into warm Alfredo sauce with garlic, Parmesan, and parsley.

5. Shrimp & Roasted Red Pepper Penne

Toss shrimp with sautéed red peppers in a creamy pesto sauce.

6. Blackened Shrimp over Fettuccine

Dredge shrimp in Cajun spices and blacken in a pan. Serve over fettuccine tossed in Creole cream sauce.

7. Thai Shrimp Pad Thai

Stir-fry shrimp with rice noodles, beansprouts, scallions, tofu, and spicy Thai sauce.

8. Shrimp Orzo Risotto

Simmer shrimp in garlicky vegetable orzo broth until creamy.

9. Greek Shrimp Pasta Salad

Marinate cooked shrimp in lemon, olive oil, and oregano. Toss with pasta, cucumber, feta, and olives.

10. Chipotle Shrimp Mac & Cheese

Fold sautéed shrimp and smoky chipotle into cheesy baked macaroni.

With frozen shrimp and your favorite flavors, the pasta possibilities are endless!

Shrimp Pasta FAQs

Have more questions about cooking pasta with frozen shrimp? Here are some commonly asked questions:

Can you use frozen raw shrimp for pasta?

Yes, but frozen raw shrimp will need to be fully cooked through before mixing into your pasta dish.

Should you thaw shrimp before adding to pasta?

It’s safest to thaw shrimp first, but you can add still-frozen shrimp directly to hot pasta sauce to thaw and cook.

What if my shrimp pasta seems dry?

Stir in a splash of pasta cooking water to moisten and help the sauce coat the pasta.

How long does shrimp pasta last in the fridge?

Store leftovers in an airtight container for 3-4 days. Reheat gently before serving again.

Can you freeze shrimp pasta dishes?

Yes, shrimp pasta freezes well for 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Tips for the Best Shrimp Pasta

Follow these tips for flavorful shrimp pasta made from frozen every time:

• Thaw shrimp safely before cooking and dry well.

• Season simply with ingredients like garlic, lemon, and olive oil.

• Don’t overcook previously cooked thawed shrimp.

• Select a pasta shape that matches the sauce and shrimp.

• Finish with fresh herbs, spices, Parmesan, or a squeeze of lemon.

• Store leftovers promptly in the refrigerator or freezer.

With proper handling, frozen cooked shrimp can be amazing in pasta. The options for preparation and recipes are endless. So grab a bag of frozen shrimp and turn it into your new favorite weeknight or special occasion pasta dish.