Spicy Shrimp Pasta with Zucchini and Garlic Herb Butter

This spicy shrimp pasta brings together succulent shrimp, fresh zucchini and a fiery kick of chili for a dish that’s sure to wake up your taste buds. Tossed in garlic herb butter and finished with Parmesan, every bite is savory, spicy and utterly satisfying.

Perfect for a weeknight dinner, this recipe comes together quickly with minimal prep. Adjust the chili to your heat preference-use the whole pepper for maximum spice or just half for a milder kick. Serve it piping hot for a comforting meal that’s anything but ordinary.

Log in to save recipes and build weekly shopping lists.

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 the spaghetti and cook until al dente, 9-11 minutes. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain the spaghetti.
2. While the pasta cooks, wash and dry the zucchini and chili pepper. Halve the zucchini lengthwise, then cut crosswise into 1/4-inch half-moons. Thinly slice half the chili pepper (use all for extra heat). Rinse the shrimp and pat dry with paper towels.
3. Heat a large drizzle of olive oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Add the zucchini and chili and cook, stirring occasionally, until the zucchini is lightly browned, about 2 minutes.
4. Push the zucchini to one side of the pan and add another drizzle of olive oil to the center. Add the shrimp and cook, stirring occasionally, until pink and cooked through, 3-4 minutes.
5. Add the cooked spaghetti, garlic herb butter, half the Parmesan and 1/4 cup of the reserved pasta water to the pan. Season generously with salt and pepper. Toss everything together until well combined and coated in the sauce. Add more pasta water if needed to loosen the sauce.
6. Divide the pasta among bowls. Sprinkle with the remaining Parmesan and a drizzle of olive oil. Garnish with additional sliced chili if desired.

Recipe Tips

FAQ

Can I use frozen shrimp?

Yes, just thaw them completely and pat dry before cooking.

What can I substitute for garlic herb butter?

Mix 2 tablespoons softened butter with 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder and 1 teaspoon dried herbs like parsley or basil.

How do I make this dish less spicy?

Remove the seeds and ribs from the chili or use only half of it. You can also omit the chili entirely.