Spicy Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta with Zucchini

Get ready for a pasta dish that packs a punch! Tender shrimp, al dente spaghetti and fresh zucchini are tossed in a luscious garlic herb butter sauce with a spicy kick from fresh chili. It’s a quick and satisfying meal that comes together in just 20 minutes.

Perfect for spice lovers, this recipe is easily adjustable-use less chili for a milder version or add extra for more heat. The combination of savory Parmesan, buttery garlic and a hint of heat makes every bite irresistible.

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

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, 3-4 minutes.
5. Add spaghetti, garlic herb butter, half the Parmesan and ¼ cup reserved pasta water. Season with salt and pepper. Toss until coated. Add more pasta water if needed.
6. Divide pasta between 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, linguine, fettuccine or any long pasta works well. Adjust cooking time according to package directions.

How do I make this dish less spicy?

Use only half the chili pepper and remove the seeds and membranes. You can also omit the chili entirely for a non-spicy version.

Can I substitute the garlic herb butter?

If you don’t have garlic herb butter, mix 2 tablespoons softened butter with 1 minced garlic clove and 1 teaspoon dried herbs (like parsley or basil).