Spicy Shrimp Pasta with Zucchini and Garlic

This shrimp spaghetti brings the heat with slices of chili pepper, balanced by tender zucchini and savory garlic. It’s a fast, flavor-packed dinner that comes together in about 20 minutes.

Butter, Parmesan and al dente pasta tie everything into a satisfying, spicy pile of perfection. Adjust the chili to your tolerance-this dish is as feisty as you want it to be.

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Ingredients

0.25 cup Parmesan CheeseView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 unit ZucchiniView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

10 ounce ShrimpView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

2 clove GarlicView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

6 ounce SpaghettiView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 unit Chili PepperView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

Instructions

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook spaghetti according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, then drain.
2. While pasta cooks, slice zucchini into half-moons, mince garlic and thinly slice chili pepper (remove seeds for less heat).
3. Pat shrimp dry and season with salt and pepper.
4. In a large skillet, heat a drizzle of oil over medium-high. Add shrimp and cook 2-3 minutes per side until pink and opaque. Transfer to a plate.
5. In the same skillet, add a bit more oil if needed. Sauté zucchini and chili pepper for 3-4 minutes until zucchini is tender.
6. Add garlic and cook 30 seconds until fragrant.
7. Return shrimp to skillet, add cooked spaghetti and toss. Add a splash of reserved pasta water to create a light sauce.
8. Remove from heat, stir in Parmesan cheese until melted. Serve immediately.

Recipe Tips

FAQ

Can I use a different type of pasta?

Yes, any long pasta like linguine or fettuccine works well.

How can I make this dish less spicy?

Remove the seeds and inner ribs from the chili pepper or use only half.

Can I substitute the shrimp with chicken?

Yes, diced chicken breast can be used; adjust cooking time accordingly.