Description
A quick and flavorful Italian pasta made with shrimp, garlic, chili flakes, olive oil, and parsley—ready in just 20 minutes for a light yet satisfying meal.
Ingredients
12 oz spaghetti
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
4 cloves garlic, finely minced
1/2 tsp chili flakes (adjust to taste)
1 lb large shrimp or prawns, cleaned and deveined
1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated (optional, for topping)
Salt, to taste
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook spaghetti until al dente, reserving 1/2 cup pasta water before draining.
- While pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add minced garlic and sauté for 30–60 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn.
- Stir in chili flakes, then add shrimp. Cook for 3–4 minutes, flipping halfway, until pink and cooked through.
- Pour in reserved pasta water and let it simmer for 1–2 minutes to form a glossy sauce.
- Add drained pasta to the skillet along with chopped parsley. Toss well to coat in the sauce.
- Season with salt to taste, sprinkle with Parmesan if using, and serve immediately.
Notes
- Swap shrimp for mussels, squid, or clams for a seafood medley.
- Make it vegetarian by using mushrooms or roasted vegetables instead of seafood.
- Add crispy bacon or pancetta for smoky flavor.
- Toss in cherry tomatoes at the end for sweetness and color.
- Melt anchovy fillets with the garlic for extra umami depth.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 640mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 24g
- Cholesterol: 170mg
