Spicy Shrimp Pasta with Zucchini and Garlic Herb Butter

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

The combination of al dente pasta, succulent shrimp and a light, buttery sauce makes every bite savory and slightly fiery. Adjust the chili to your taste and finish with a sprinkle of Parmesan for a touch of nutty richness.

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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

SaltView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

PepperView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

Instructions

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add spaghetti and cook until al dente, 10-12 minutes. Reserve ½ cup pasta water, then drain.
2. Meanwhile, halve zucchini lengthwise and slice into ¼-inch half-moons. Thinly slice half the chili (use all for extra heat). Rinse shrimp and pat dry.
3. Heat a drizzle of olive oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Add zucchini and chili; cook until zucchini is lightly browned, about 2 minutes.
4. Push zucchini to one side, add another drizzle of oil to the center. Add shrimp and cook until pink and cooked through, 3-4 minutes.
5. Add spaghetti, garlic herb butter, half the Parmesan and ¼ cup pasta water. Season with salt and pepper. Toss to coat; add more pasta water if needed.
6. Divide pasta among bowls. Sprinkle with remaining Parmesan and a drizzle of olive oil. Garnish with extra 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 pepper and remove the seeds and membranes or omit the chili entirely.

Can I substitute the shrimp with chicken?

Yes, you can use diced chicken breast. Cook until no longer pink, about 5-7 minutes, adjusting time as needed.