This recipe is sponsored by DeLallo. I know that all palates are different and that some people are more sensitive to spice than others. After six years of living in Wisconsin, however, I’ve decided that on a scale of 1 to 10, this state starts panting and sweating at anything above a 2. It doesn’t mean the food here is bland. It does mean that when a menu describes a dish as “spicy,” you need to have a heart-to-heart with your server to decipher what “spicy” actually means: really, actually spicy or Wisconsin spicy. Note: Wisconsin spicy is not spicy. This recipe for spicy shrimp spaghetti is! It won’t light your tongue on fire or send you running for an emergency glass of milk, but it does have a nice kick to it (just like this delicious Bang Bang Shrimp). If you love your food with a bit of an edge every now and then (like Seafood Pasta), you’ll go just as crazy for this healthy shrimp pasta recipe as Ben and I did. Not only does this spicy shrimp pasta have stellar flavor, but it’s loaded with good-for-you ingredients. Whole grains, fresh veggies, and lean protein represent, and it’s ready start to finish in 30 minutes, 25 if you hustle. My top goal for the recipes I share on this site (and will be publishing in my upcoming cookbook!!) is to make healthy recipes faster and more approachable, without sacrificing taste. At no other point in my personal life has that approach felt as relevant as it does now. In addition to my book, which is officially the best and hardest thing I’ve ever taken on, Ben and I move into our new home in downtown Milwaukee in t-minus 3 days. (Please send all the boxes and wine!)
About This Spicy Shrimp Pasta Recipe
Recipes like this spicy shrimp pasta (and its cousins, Garlic Shrimp Pasta and Healthy Shrimp Scampi) have been a true blessing in this hectic season of life. This shrimp spaghetti’s combination of fresh ingredients mixed with pantry staples has kept healthy eating attainable for us, even amidst the mad chaos. If your weeknights are busy (and I suspect that they often are), then this healthy shrimp pasta will be a true help to you too. My secrets to ensuring that this recipe is quick to prep and healthy without skimping on flavor or texture are DeLallo Pomodoro Fresco Spicy Arrabbiata Sauce and DeLallo Whole Wheat Spaghetti. Store-bought pasta sauce and whole wheat pasta noodles are two of my top pantry items, and I am picky about both. In a spicy shrimp pasta with red sauce like this one, the top source of flavor is the sauce itself. This tomato sauce has so much bang to it already, I didn’t need to doctor it up with additional ingredients. It tastes yummy and fresh right out of the jar, and as we’ve discussed, it delivers on its spicy promise. Whole wheat pasta is another area where I am demanding. One of the fastest, easiest ways you can boost your diet without adding a moment to your prep time is to use whole wheat pasta noodles in place of white. Unfortunately there are a lot of bad ones out there, to the extent that whole wheat pasta has gotten a bad reputation it doesn’t (always) deserve. I’ve been so happy with the flavor and texture of DeLallo whole wheat noodles. They cook up perfectly al dente and taste fantastic. I promise no one in your household will suspect that the pasta they are eating is actually 100% whole grain.
Recipe Adaptations
For this recipe, I opted for classic shrimp spaghetti, but you could also try these adaptations.
Spicy Shrimp Linguine. Try linguine noodles or fettuccini noodles, if you like your noodles a bit thicker.Spicy Shrimp Penne. A short pasta such as penne would work nicely too, though personally I love twirling the long noodles around each juicy piece of shrimp.
What to Serve with Spicy Shrimp Pasta
Salad. A simple, fresh salad like this Anytime Arugula Salad will pair nicely.Vegetables. Try serving a healthy side dish like Roasted Brussels Sprouts or Roasted Zucchini.Cocktail. Cool things off with this refreshing Italian Margarita.
Recommended Tools for Making Spicy Shrimp Pasta
Cutting board. It has tons of space! This no-slip cutting board would also be great.Sharp Chef’s Knife. Makes chopping a breeze.
In addition to celebrating the beauty of fast, healthy recipes, I’m also sharing this spicy shrimp pasta in honor of Italian Heritage Month, which takes place in October. It’s an occasion to honor the achievements of Italian-Americans…and I’m taking it as a tasty excuse to eat more Italian food too! I am sharing this post in partnership with DeLallo. As always, all opinions are my own. Thanks for supporting the brands and companies that make it possible for me to continue to create quality content for you!
