Spicy Shrimp Chili Cream Pasta
How to Make Shrimp Chili Cream Pasta at Home
Today, we’re making a delicious cream pasta with shrimp that’s not too rich, thanks to a hint of spice! Shrimp Chili Cream Pasta is a dish with a delightful kick that adults will thoroughly enjoy. It’s incredibly simple to make, so why not create your own home restaurant experience today with this amazing Shrimp Chili Cream Pasta?
Pasta Ingredients- Conchiglie pasta 150g (shell-shaped short pasta)
- 1/4 onion (finely chopped)
- 3 cloves garlic (finely chopped)
- 2 tsp olive oil
- 150ml water (for sauce consistency)
- 10g butter
- 1/2 tbsp parsley flakes (for garnish)
Cream Pasta Sauce- 200ml heavy cream
- 15g grated Parmesan cheese
Shrimp Marinade- 12 large shrimp (peeled and deveined)
- 10 red chili flakes (minced)
- 1/2 tsp dried basil
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano
- Pinch of black pepper
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 200ml heavy cream
- 15g grated Parmesan cheese
Shrimp Marinade- 12 large shrimp (peeled and deveined)
- 10 red chili flakes (minced)
- 1/2 tsp dried basil
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano
- Pinch of black pepper
- 1/4 tsp salt
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
If using frozen shrimp for your Shrimp Chili Cream Pasta, start by thawing them at room temperature. Once thawed, peel and devein the shrimp, leaving the tails on if you prefer for presentation, or remove them for easier eating. Preparing the shrimp this way will enhance the pasta’s flavor.
Step 2
To add a spicy kick to your shrimp marinade, finely mince 10 red chili flakes. Place the minced chilies into a small bowl that you’ll use for marinating. The aromatic spice is already making its way to your senses!
Step 3
Add 1/2 teaspoon of dried basil to the bowl with the minced red chilies. The subtle herbal notes of basil will wonderfully complement the shrimp’s natural sweetness.
Step 4
Next, add 1/2 teaspoon of dried oregano. Oregano brings a delightful Mediterranean flair, making your pasta dish even more complex and flavorful. The combination of basil and oregano is truly exciting!
Step 5
Add 1/4 teaspoon of salt to enhance the shrimp’s savory notes. Be sure to measure carefully to avoid over-salting.
Step 6
Finally, freshly grind about 5 twists of black pepper over the mixture. The mild heat of the pepper will help cut through any gaminess of the shrimp and balance the overall flavors.
Step 7
Now, thoroughly mix all the marinade ingredients together in the bowl. Use a fork or a small spoon to combine everything evenly, creating your delicious shrimp seasoning.
Step 8
It’s important to pat the thawed shrimp dry. Use paper towels to gently blot away any excess moisture from the shrimp. Removing excess water helps the marinade adhere better and prevents excessive splattering when cooking.
Step 9
Place the dried shrimp into a clean zip-top bag. Now, pour all of the prepared shrimp marinade over the shrimp in the bag.
Step 10
Seal the bag securely and give it a gentle shake. Rock the bag back and forth, and side to side, ensuring that the seasoning coats every single shrimp evenly. This thorough coating will infuse each piece of shrimp with maximum flavor.
Step 11
For today’s recipe, we’re using conchiglie, a delightful short pasta with a shell shape! These pasta pieces are perfect for catching and holding onto delicious sauce. (Feel free to substitute with your favorite pasta shape!)
Step 12
Fill a large pot with 1 liter of water and add 10g of salt (approximately 0.8 Tbsp). Bring the water to a boil over medium heat. Salting the pasta water is crucial for seasoning the pasta itself from the inside out.
Step 13
Once the water is at a rolling boil, add the 150g of conchiglie pasta. Give it a gentle stir to prevent sticking, then reduce the heat to medium and cook for about 9 minutes. Always check the pasta package for recommended cooking times, but feel free to adjust by a minute or two based on your preference for al dente.
Step 14
While the pasta is cooking, prepare the onion for the sauce. Finely chop 1/4 of an onion. The smaller the dice, the more seamlessly it will blend into the sauce.
Step 15
Similarly, mince 3 cloves of garlic very finely. The garlic will add a wonderful depth of flavor to your pasta.
Step 16
Now, let’s start building the pasta sauce. Place a skillet over medium heat and add 2 teaspoons of olive oil. Allow the pan to heat up gently; you don’t want it smoking hot.
Step 17
Once the pan is adequately heated, add the marinated shrimp. Cook over medium heat, not high, to ensure the shrimp cook evenly through without burning.
Step 18
Sauté the shrimp for approximately 4 minutes, flipping them occasionally to ensure even browning on both sides. They should turn a beautiful pink color and become fragrant.
Step 19
After 4 minutes, remove the cooked shrimp from the pan and set them aside. Notice how perfectly they are cooked – slightly tender and juicy. This ensures they remain succulent when added back to the sauce later.
Step 20
Don’t clean the skillet! We’ll use the flavorful bits left from cooking the shrimp to enrich our sauce. Reduce the heat to low and add 10g of butter, letting it melt completely.
Step 21
Once the butter has melted, add the minced garlic and onion to the pan. Sauté them gently, swirling the pan or stirring, until the onions become translucent and a fragrant garlic aroma is released, about 2-3 minutes. Keep the heat on low to prevent burning.
Step 22
When the onions are softened and the garlic is fragrant, pour in 150ml of water. Stir well, scraping up any flavorful browned bits from the bottom of the pan into the water. Bring this mixture to a simmer over medium heat.
Step 23
As the mixture begins to bubble, slowly pour in 200ml of heavy cream to create that luscious, creamy sauce. Pouring gradually while stirring helps achieve a smooth, well-emulsified sauce.
Step 24
Stir the garlic, onion, water, and cream together until well combined. Once the sauce is simmering gently again, add the cooked pasta directly from the boiling water. Toss everything together for about 1 minute, allowing the pasta to absorb some of the sauce.
Step 25
After 1 minute, return the cooked shrimp to the pan. Gently toss the pasta and shrimp with the sauce, ensuring they are well coated. This step allows the shrimp and pasta to meld beautifully with the creamy, spicy sauce.
Step 26
Prepare 15g of grated Parmesan cheese. This will be added towards the end to enrich the sauce with a savory, cheesy depth.
Step 27
Finally, plate your beautiful Shrimp Chili Cream Pasta. Garnish with a sprinkle of parsley flakes for a touch of color and freshness. You can add a final grating of Parmesan cheese on top if desired. Your restaurant-quality Shrimp Chili Cream Pasta is now ready to be enjoyed at home! Bon appétit!