Spicy Shrimp and Tomato Cream Pasta makes an easy weeknight meal that can be prepared in under 20 minutes. It’s perfect for busy weeknights and the amount of spice is easily varied.
Spicy Shrimp and Tomato Cream Pasta Recipe
This recipe is based on one of the most popular recipes on Spicy Southern Kitchen- Spicy Tomato Cream Pasta.
The addition of shrimp doesn’t take much extra time since they cook up so quickly and it’s one of the easiest ways to add a protein to a pasta dish.
I use a jar of spaghetti sauce to really simplify things. Sauteed onion, garlic, plus some Italian seasoning boosts up the flavor.
Quick and Easy Recipe
Only a minimum amount of prep is needed for this shrimp pasta recipe and since shrimp cook quickly and the base of the sauce is a jar of pasta sauce, the cooking time is short as well.
Tomato Cream Sauce
The sauce is super easy to make and starts with a jar of pasta sauce. Use whichever sauce is your favorite or whatever you have in your pantry. Any kind of marinara sauce or spaghetti sauce will work. And 1/2 cup heavy cream gives creaminess and richness to the sauce and makes it taste homemade.
Recipe Tips
- I used gemelli pasta, but feel free to use any pasta shape, even spaghetti or fettuccine.
- The spiciness comes from crushed red pepper flakes, making it easy to up the spice level by adding a few extra flakes at the end.
- Half-and-half can be substituted for the heavy cream to lighten the dish up some.
- Be sure to not overcook the shrimp. Shrimp cook very quickly and get rubbery in texture if overcooked.
How To Serve
Spicy Shrimp with Tomato Cream Pasta is the perfect comfort food for warmer months because it’s hearty and filling without being overly rich and heavy. Top with chopped fresh basil for extra flavor and serve with some crusty French bread and a green salad with Creamy Italian Dressing.
More Shrimp Pasta Recipes
- Feta Shrimp Penne
- Shrimp Pasta Primavera
- Creamy Tortellini with Shrimp
- Creamy Lemon Shrimp Pasta
- Cheesy Garlic Shrimp Alfredo
- Creamy Angel Hair Pasta with Bacon and Shrimp
Watch the video below to see how to make Spicy Shrimp and Tomato Cream Pasta.
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Spicy Shrimp and Tomato Cream Pasta
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1/2 medium sweet onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (24-ounce) jar spaghetti sauce
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 12 ounces pasta, cooked according to package instructions (I used gemelli)
Instructions
- Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large pan. Add red pepper flakes and shrimp and cook about 1 minute per side or until completely pink. Remove shrimp from pan and set aside.
- Add remaining oil to pan and cook onion over medium high heat for 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook 1 more minute.
- Add spaghetti sauce, heavy cream, and Italian seasoning and simmer 5 minutes.
- Return shrimp to pan and stir in pasta.
Notes
Nutrition
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Originally posted May 8, 2016.
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Great content. I learned a lot from this post. Thanks. Solar
Sounds awesome, could I use Orzo?
Thanks, Janet
I think I was just punched in the face by all this flavor. Seriously, though, this looks amazing! I’ve gotta try this soon!
What great comfort food! Love how quickly it all comes together!
Okay, no words…or just a few – this looks insanely delicious! All that sauce is begging to be licked clean! ; )
Oh my gosh my mouth is watering looking at those photos! Shrimp and pasta together with that sauce is pure heaven! Love this!
Creamy, dreamy and filled with spicy goodness. Great meeting you on Avery Island BTW, wish we were served this!
It was great to meet you too Kevin!
Is there anything better than a nice big hearty pasta dish?! I don’t think so! I love this!
Oh my goodness, Christin, this pasta looks off the hook delicious!!! So creamy and dreamy! Love that you made this spicy! I want to face plant into a big ole’ vat of this shrimp-tastic pasta! Pinned! Cheers!
Oh my gosh. This is Monday food perfection, Christin! I just want to dig right into that creamy pasta perfection!!
Interesting pasta! I haven’t tried anything like that before!
Oh this looks SO good, Christin! Definitely perfect comfort food. And I love that this is ready in just 20 minutes! You can’t get much better than this!
This pasta looks packed with flavor and so creamy! Love it!
This looks like one delicious pasta dish! I love shrimp with red pepper flakes, and gemelli is definitely the pasta I would use here. Hope you had a happy Mother’s Day, Christin!