Spicy Garlic Shrimp Spaghetti with Zucchini and Parmesan

This spicy shrimp spaghetti is packed with bold flavors and comes together in just 20 minutes. Tender shrimp and zucchini are tossed with al dente pasta, garlic herb butter and a kick of chili for a satisfying meal that’s sure to please heat lovers.

Adjust the chili to your preferred spice level and finish with a generous sprinkle of Parmesan and a drizzle of olive oil. It’s a perfect quick dinner that feels indulgent without the fuss.

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Ingredients

6 SpaghettiView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 ZucchiniView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 Chili PepperView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

10 ShrimpView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

2 Garlic Herb ButterView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

0.25 Parmesan CheeseView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

5 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, trim and halve zucchini lengthwise, then cut crosswise into 1/4-inch half-moons. Thinly slice chili pepper. Rinse shrimp under cold water and pat dry.
3. Heat a drizzle of olive oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Add zucchini and as much sliced chili as you like. Cook, stirring occasionally, until zucchini is lightly browned, 2-3 minutes.
4. Push zucchini mixture to one side of pan. Add another drizzle of olive oil to empty side. Add shrimp and cook, stirring occasionally, until opaque and cooked through, 3-4 minutes.
5. Add drained spaghetti, garlic herb butter, half the Parmesan and 1/4 cup reserved pasta water to the pan. Season with salt and pepper. Toss until well combined. Add more pasta water if needed to coat.
6. Divide pasta between bowls. Top with remaining Parmesan and a drizzle of olive oil. Garnish with extra sliced chili if desired.

Recipe Tips

FAQ

Can I use a different pasta shape?

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

How do I make this dish milder?

Use only a small amount of chili or omit it entirely. You can also remove the seeds and membranes.

Can I substitute garlic herb butter?

Regular butter plus a pinch of garlic powder and dried herbs can be used in a pinch.