Spicy Shrimp Pasta with Zucchini and Garlic Herb Butter

This spicy shrimp pasta brings the heat with slices of fresh chili, balanced by tender zucchini and a rich garlic herb butter. It’s a quick and satisfying dish that comes together in just 20 minutes, perfect for a busy weeknight.

The combination of al dente spaghetti, succulent shrimp and a savory Parmesan coating makes every bite irresistible. Adjust the chili to your preferred spice level and enjoy a restaurant-quality meal at home.

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Ingredients

6 ounce SpaghettiView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 unit ZucchiniView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 unit Chili PepperView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

10 ounce ShrimpView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

2 tablespoon Garlic Herb ButterView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

0.25 cup Parmesan CheeseView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

5 teaspoon Olive OilView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

Salt to tasteView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

Pepper to tasteView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

Instructions

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add spaghetti and cook until al dente, 9-11 minutes. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, then drain.
2. While pasta cooks, wash and dry all produce. Trim and halve zucchini lengthwise, then cut into 1/4-inch half-moons. Thinly slice chili (use half for mild, whole for spicy). Rinse shrimp and pat very dry with paper towels.
3. Heat a large drizzle of olive oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Add zucchini and sliced chili; cook until zucchini is lightly browned, 2-3 minutes.
4. Push zucchini mixture to one side of the pan. Add another drizzle of olive oil to the empty side. Add shrimp and cook until pink and cooked through, 3-4 minutes.
5. Add spaghetti, garlic herb butter, half the Parmesan and 1/4 cup reserved pasta water to the pan. Season with salt and pepper. Toss until combined, adding more pasta water if needed to coat the pasta.
6. Divide pasta among bowls. Top with remaining Parmesan, a drizzle of olive oil and extra sliced chili if desired.

Recipe Tips

FAQ

Can I use a different type of pasta?

Yes, any long pasta like linguine or fettuccine works well. Adjust cooking time according to package directions.

How can I make this dish less spicy?

Use only half the chili or remove the seeds and membranes, which contain most of the heat.

Can I substitute the shrimp with chicken?

Yes, diced chicken breast can be used. Cook until no longer pink and internal temperature reaches 165°F.