Italian Shrimp Pasta 🍝🦐 Savory, Herby, and Sauced Just Right

— Shrimp Meets the Mediterranean

Italian Shrimp Pasta brings together tender shrimp, fresh herbs, garlic, olive oil, and perfectly cooked pasta in a light but flavor-packed sauce.

It’s simple, fast, and built to highlight both the shrimp and the aromatics — no heavy cream, just pure flavor and balance.

Ingredients (Serves 2–3)

• ½ lb pasta (spaghetti, linguine, or fettuccine)
• 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 4 garlic cloves, thinly sliced or minced
• ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved (or ½ cup canned crushed tomatoes)
• ¼ cup dry white wine (or seafood broth)
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• Zest and juice of 1 lemon
• ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley or basil
• Optional: grated Parmesan for topping

Instructions

Step 1: Cook the Pasta

1. Bring salted water to a boil.
2. Cook pasta until al dente, then reserve ½ cup pasta water and drain.

Step 2: Sear the Shrimp

1. While pasta cooks, heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
2. Season shrimp with salt and pepper.
3. Sear 1–2 minutes per side until just pink and lightly golden. Remove and set aside.

Step 3: Build the Sauce

1. In the same skillet, add 2 tbsp olive oil. Sauté garlic and red pepper flakes for 30 seconds.
2. Add tomatoes and cook until soft and saucy (2–3 minutes).
3. Pour in wine and simmer until slightly reduced (1–2 minutes).
4. Add lemon zest, juice, and season to taste.

Step 4: Toss & Finish

1. Return shrimp to the pan. Add drained pasta and toss everything together.
2. Add a splash of reserved pasta water to loosen if needed.
3. Stir in fresh herbs and top with Parmesan if using. Serve hot.

Flavor Variations

• Tomato-Basil – Use more crushed tomato + fresh basil for a red sauce version
• White Wine Garlic – Skip tomatoes for a cleaner, garlicky wine-based sauce
• Creamy Upgrade – Add ¼ cup cream or swirl in mascarpone before serving
• Briny Boost – Add chopped olives, capers, or anchovy paste for depth

Serving Ideas

• With a side of garlic bread or focaccia
• Topped with lemony arugula salad
• Over sautéed spinach or zucchini noodles
• Chilled the next day as a pasta salad base

Pro Tips

• Don’t overcook the shrimp — remove them once just opaque
• Slice garlic thin for a more elegant flavor
• Use high-quality olive oil and wine — they’re front and center
• Finish pasta in the sauce for max absorption and flavor

Final Thoughts

Italian Shrimp Pasta delivers fresh, layered flavor without the weight — just garlic, shrimp, herbs, and acid riding perfectly over pasta. It’s fast, elegant, and straight out of the trattoria playbook.

Sear fast. Sauce clean. Toss hot. 🍝🦐🍷

🍤 Explore More Great Shrimp Recipes

Versatile, fast, and flavor-packed — these shrimp recipes cover every cooking style, from smoky grills to sizzling stir-fries. Whether you’re going classic or bold, there’s a method for your menu.

🔥 Grilled Shrimp – Lightly charred and perfectly seasoned over open flame.
🍤 Fried Shrimp – Crispy, golden, and straight-up irresistible.
🔥 Baked Shrimp Scampi – Oven-baked in garlicky butter and white wine.
🍽️ Air-Fried Shrimp – Crunchy texture with less oil and no mess.
🥢 Stir-Fried Shrimp – Quick wok-seared shrimp with bold flavors.
🍋 Sautéed Lemon Garlic Shrimp – Bright, buttery, and ready in minutes.
🍷 Shrimp Scampi – Classic stovetop scampi in a silky garlic-wine sauce.
🌶️ Cajun-Style Shrimp – Spicy, smoky, Southern-style perfection.
🧄 Butter Garlic Shrimp – Simple, rich, and loaded with garlic butter.
🍚 Shrimp Fried Rice – Savory wok-fried rice with juicy shrimp and veggies.

🌍 Regional Shrimp Recipes: From buttery Southern comfort to bold Thai curries and island-style garlic shrimp, these recipes bring global flavor to your shrimp game — no passport required.

🌺 Hawaiian Garlic Shrimp – Island-style shrimp in a buttery garlic sauce, just like the food trucks.
🍝 Italian Shrimp Pasta – Savory shrimp tossed with herbs, garlic, and al dente noodles.
🌮 Mexican Shrimp Tacos – Zesty, juicy shrimp with bold toppings and fresh tortillas.
🍤 Southern Shrimp & Grits – Creamy grits topped with saucy, smoky shrimp.
🥢 Asian Shrimp Stir-Fry – Quick, colorful, and loaded with veggies and soy-sesame flavor.
🔥 Cajun Shrimp – Spicy, buttery, and perfect with rice or crusty bread.
🌶️ Bang Bang Shrimp – Crispy shrimp coated in creamy, sweet-heat sauce.
🍱 Teriyaki Shrimp – Sticky-sweet glaze with a savory umami kick.
🍛 Thai Shrimp Curry – Rich coconut curry with lemongrass, chili, and herbs.