How to Make the Creamiest, Most Delicious Shrimp Spaghetti

Shrimp spaghetti is one of my absolute favorite pasta dishes The combination of tender shrimp, noodles, and a rich, creamy sauce is simply amazing After eating shrimp spaghetti at restaurants for years, I finally learned how to make this delicious dish at home.

In this article, I’ll share my easy recipe for how to make the creamiest, most delicious shrimp spaghetti I’ve tested and tweaked this recipe many times, so I can assure you that it’s foolproof and tastes amazing Whether you’re cooking for yourself, your family, or entertaining guests, this shrimp pasta will satisfy everyone at the dinner table.

Overview of Shrimp Spaghetti

Before jumping into the recipe, let me tell you a bit about shrimp spaghetti itself. It’s an Italian pasta dish made by cooking spaghetti and tossing it with sautéed shrimp in a creamy, garlic-infused sauce. The sauce is often made with olive oil or butter, garlic, white wine, and chopped parsley.

Some key tips for making restaurant-quality shrimp spaghetti at home

• Use high-quality ingredients. This includes fresh, wild-caught shrimp and imported Italian dry pasta.

• Cook the shrimp perfectly so they’re tender, not rubbery.

• Make an ultra flavorful sauce infused with garlic, white wine, and red pepper flakes.

• Toss the cooked pasta with the sauce so the noodles absorb all of the delicious flavors.

• Finish with a sprinkle of chopped parsley and grated Parmesan cheese.

The result is an elegant yet easy shrimp pasta dish that feels luxurious. The sauce clings to each strand of spaghetti, making each bite packed with flavor.

Now let’s get into the step-by-step method!

Ingredients Needed

To make shrimp spaghetti for 4 servings, you will need:

• 1 pound of raw, shell-on shrimp (26-30 count)
• 12 ounces of spaghetti
• 3 Tbsp olive oil
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/3 cup dry white wine
• 1 pint cherry or grape tomatoes
• 1 tsp red pepper flakes
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1/4 cup chopped parsley
• Grated Parmesan cheese

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Clean and devein the shrimp

Rinse the shrimp under cold running water. Then peel off the shells, leaving the tails intact. Use a paring knife to make a shallow cut along the back of each shrimp to expose the digestive tract. Use the tip of the knife to remove the vein. Rinse the shrimp again and pat dry with paper towels.

2. Cook the spaghetti

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the dry spaghetti and cook according to package directions until al dente. Right before draining, reserve 1 cup of the starchy pasta cooking water to use in the sauce.

3. Make the garlic-wine sauce

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.

Pour in the white wine and chopped tomatoes and bring to a simmer. Let the sauce reduce for 3-4 minutes so the raw alcohol taste dissipates.

Season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Turn the heat down to medium-low.

4. Sauté the shrimp

Raise the heat under the skillet to medium-high. Add the cleaned shrimp to the pan in a single layer. Cook the shrimp for 1-2 minutes per side until pink and opaque. Transfer the cooked shrimp to a clean plate.

5. Toss the pasta

Drain the pasta and add it to the skillet with the garlic-tomato sauce. Pour in 1/2 cup of the starchy pasta water and toss vigorously for 1 minute to coat the noodles.

If needed, add more pasta water a splash at a time to create a creamy consistency. The starch in the water gives the sauce more body.

6. Mix in the shrimp

Add the cooked shrimp back to the pasta along with the chopped parsley. Toss everything together for another 30 seconds.

7. Adjust seasonings

Taste a strand of the shrimp spaghetti and add more salt, pepper, or red pepper flakes if desired. The pasta and sauce should be highly seasoned.

8. Serve immediately

Divide the shrimp spaghetti between serving plates or bowls. Garnish with grated Parmesan cheese and an extra sprinkle of parsley. Serve immediately while hot.

Recipe Variations

There are many ways to customize this shrimp pasta recipe:

• Use linguine or fettuccine instead of spaghetti noodles.

• Substitute olive oil with butter or a mix of butter and oil.

• Add roasted garlic or sun-dried tomatoes to the sauce.

• Use basil instead of parsley for a different fresh flavor.

• Stir in a spoonful of tomato paste for a deeper, richer sauce.

• Add lemon zest or a squeeze of lemon juice right before serving.

• Mix in ricotta cheese or mascarpone for an ultra creamy sauce.

• Top with crispy bacon bits or crushed red pepper.

No matter how you change it up, this shrimp spaghetti is guaranteed to impress!

Cooking Tips for the Best Results

Here are some of my top tips for making perfect shrimp spaghetti every time:

• Cook the pasta until slightly underdone since it will continue to cook in the hot skillet later. You don’t want mushy pasta.

• Use the pasta water to get the sauce to the right creamy consistency. Start with 1/2 cup and add more as needed.

• Cook the shrimp just until opaque throughout – do not overcook them or they will be rubbery.

• Let the wine reduce to cook off the alcohol taste but not so long that the sauce gets thick and syrupy.

• The garlic and red pepper flakes add a lot of flavor, so taste as you season and adjust to your desired spice level.

• Work quickly once adding the pasta to the skillet so it reheats evenly and absorbs the flavors of the sauce.

How to Store and Reheat Leftovers

This shrimp spaghetti tastes amazing freshly made but leftovers keep well for a few days in the fridge. Store them in an airtight container and reheat gently before serving.

To reheat, add a splash of water or olive oil to the shrimp pasta to loosen it up. Warm in a skillet over medium-low heat, stirring frequently, until heated through. Or heat single portions in the microwave at 30-second intervals, checking that the shrimp are not getting rubbery.

Add a sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese on top and serve! Enjoy those leftovers.

Why This Shrimp Spaghetti Recipe Is So Delicious

There are a few key reasons why this recipe produces such an amazing bowl of shrimp pasta:

• The garlic and white wine create a bright, aromatic flavor base.

• The cherry tomatoes add natural sweetness and texture.

• Sautéing the shrimp separately ensures they are perfectly cooked.

• Tossing the pasta with the sauce allows it to absorb all of the delicious flavors.

• The starch-infused pasta water gives the sauce a silky, creamy texture.

• Fresh parsley and Parmesan add a final layer of flavor and richness.