Description
This Bang Bang Shrimp Pasta is a flavorful and creamy dish that combines tender, spicy shrimp with a rich, garlicky pasta sauce. The spicy Bang Bang sauce made from mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, sriracha, and honey perfectly complements the sautéed shrimp and linguine, making for a quick and satisfying meal ready in just 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Shrimp
- 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Bang Bang Sauce
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons sweet chili sauce
- 1 tablespoon sriracha (adjust to spice preference)
- 1 teaspoon honey
- 1 teaspoon rice vinegar (or regular vinegar)
Pasta and Cream Sauce
- 8 oz pasta (linguine, spaghetti, or your preferred type)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Garnish and Serving
- Fresh parsley or green onions for garnish
- Lemon wedges (optional, for serving)
Instructions
- Prepare the Shrimp: In a medium bowl, toss the shrimp with 1 tablespoon olive oil, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper to evenly coat all the shrimp with the seasonings.
- Cook the Shrimp: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the shrimp and cook for 2-3 minutes on each side until the shrimp turn pink and are cooked through. Remove the shrimp from the skillet and set aside.
- Make the Bang Bang Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, sriracha, honey, and rice vinegar until smooth and well combined. Taste and adjust the spice level if desired.
- Cook the Pasta: Cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta, reserving about 1/2 cup of the pasta water, and set the pasta aside.
- Make the Cream Sauce: Using the same skillet, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
- Combine Sauce Ingredients: Stir in the heavy cream and grated Parmesan cheese. Let the sauce simmer gently for 2-3 minutes until it thickens. If the sauce becomes too thick, add some reserved pasta water to achieve your preferred consistency.
- Toss the Pasta: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet with the cream sauce and toss to coat the pasta evenly.
- Add the Shrimp and Bang Bang Sauce: Gently fold the cooked shrimp into the pasta, then drizzle the Bang Bang sauce over everything. Toss all together until the shrimp and pasta are well coated with the creamy, spicy sauce.
- Serve: Garnish with chopped fresh parsley or green onions. Serve with lemon wedges on the side to add a fresh citrusy brightness if desired.
Notes
- You can adjust the spice level by modifying the amount of sriracha in the Bang Bang sauce.
- For a lighter version, substitute mayonnaise with Greek yogurt and use half-and-half or milk instead of heavy cream.
- Reserve pasta water before draining; it helps to loosen the sauce without diluting flavor.
- Fresh parsley or green onions add a fresh finish but can be omitted if unavailable.
- Lemon wedges are optional but add a nice tangy contrast to the creamy pasta.
