Shrimp Pasta Recipes: An Elegant Version of Pasta

Shrimp and pasta are both versatile ingredients and go great with each other. So today we are introducing this collection of shrimp pasta recipes for you to try.

In this article, we will talk about all things shrimp pasta, side dish suggestions, and some tips on preserving and reheating leftovers.

Can You Use Cooked Shrimp in Pasta?

Yes, you can. Cooked shrimp save you some preparation and cleaning time and they are just as delicious. However, there are two things to pay attention to for cooked shrimp to turn out perfectly.

Firstly, don’t cook them in the oven. The oven uses dry heat to cook food and this makes the cooked shrimp dry and rubbery. We recommend sauteeing the shrimp with pasta and the sauce to keep their moisture intact.

Secondly, add the shrimp at the last minute. Shrimp has delicate flesh, so if you sautee them throughout the cooking time of the sauce and pasta, precooked shrimp can become rubbery.

Best Shrimp Pasta Recipes

Have a look at this list and treat yourself to a delicious shrimp pasta recipes.

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Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta Recipe

The heart of this recipe lies in tossing shrimp in a buttery, herb-infused sauce for a glossy finish. Meanwhile, the al dente pasta is the perfect vehicle to help soak up these flavors.

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Pesto Shrimp Pasta Recipe

This herbaceous, tomato-tangy platter will be a delightful treat in the unforgiving summer heat. There’s something about crisp seafood flavors in a savory sauce that’s truly refreshing.

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Shrimp Pasta Salad Recipe

This dish gives you a bit of everything — crunch, substance, and refreshment in one bite. It consists of a light shrimp, cucumber, and celery mix with a small dose of carbs. Isn’t it the perfect side treat?

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Instant Pot Shrimp Scampi Recipe

This one-pot meal is only 25 minutes away. Add the spaghetti, garlic seasoning, and shrimp one after another into the instant pot and leave it to do the rest.

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Shrimp Fra Diavolo Recipe

This Fra Diavolo, which translates to “Brother Devil,” depicts the fiery red sauce in this recipe. For subtle heat, a garlic, tomato, and paprika relish with a touch of red pepper.

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Instant Pot Shrimp Scampi Recipe

This one-pot meal is only 25 minutes away. Add the spaghetti, garlic seasoning, and shrimp one after another into the instant pot and leave it to do the rest.

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Shrimp Piccata Recipe

Piccata centers around a creamy butter, lemon juice, and capers sauce, giving the shrimp a tremendous flavor boost. There’s nothing like a zesty dressing to complement pasta.

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Shrimp Primavera Recipe

Looking for a spring dish? Primavera is your best bet. With crunchy asparagus and green peas in season, this dish will carry fresh, succulent flavors that are hard to replicate at any other time of the year.

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Instant Pot Shrimp Pasta Recipe

Long having held a place at the dinner table, this Instant Pot Shrimp reimagines classic garlic and butter flavors for a family-friendly version. The dish takes 25 minutes to prepare but rewards tenfolds in taste.

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A close-up shot of fettuccine, shrimp, and shaved parmesan on top, with a salad in the background

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Shrimp Scampi Recipe

Fettuccine pasta and parmesan cheese find their perfect pair in this healthy shrimp scampi dish. A true comfort feast that hails from Italian cuisine.

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Shrimp Alfredo Recipe

This dish will do wonders if you’re feeling the blues and need a comforting meal. Spaghetti and plump shrimp are served in a creamy white sauce that’s robust with garlic and onion flavors to satiate.

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What Sauces to Add to Shrimp Pasta

The sauce is one of the most appealing components of a pasta plate. You may already have a few in mind, but we have some recommendations.

Alfredo sauce

This simple white cream sauce has solidified its status as one of the best creations of Italian cuisine. It is made from butter, heavy cream, and parmesan cheese so it is as rich and cheesy as it gets.

Alfredo sauce complements the shrimp nicely with its thick consistency and creamy flavors.

Pesto sauce

This gorgeous-looking green sauce is another Italian representative. Pesto is made from herbs, olive oil, nuts, and cheese, bringing a lot of flavors to this beautiful sauce.

Pesto is perfect for pasta in terms of both taste and appearance. Furthermore, the herby notes go perfectly with shrimp.

Garlic butter sauce

Italian cuisine often makes use of garlic and butter. This combination is timeless because these two ingredients are popular and mix harmoniously. You can also add some parsley and lemon juice to make the flavor profile more layered.

Garlic butter sauce will elevate the shrimp flavor to a whole new level.

Which Side Dishes Go Well With?

You can’t go wrong with vegetables like asparagus, potatoes, broccoli, eggplants, zucchini, etc. Whether boiled, baked, roasted, or steamed, these vegetables will add freshness to the pasta and diversify your meal.

Salads also offer incredible options. You can use the vegetables mentioned above or any others you prefer. The choice is yours and the sky’s the limit.

Lastly, bread sides like bruschetta or breadsticks will bring some Italian vibes to your dining table.

How to Store and Reheat

Shrimp pasta can last for up to 3 days if refrigerated in airtight containers. Or, by placing it in the freezer, you can extend the shelf life of the dish to 2-3 months.

There are multiple ways to reheat pasta. We recommend the following methods:

Skillet

Reheating on the skillet is fast and you can monitor the process.

Place a pan on medium-high heat and add a bit of oil.
Add the shrimp pasta, sauce, and some liquid (water or broth) to prevent it from drying.
Sautee your shrimp pasta for 2-5 minutes.

Oven

Using the oven is more convenient because the heat circulation will ensure the pasta is heated up evenly.

Transfer the pasta to a baking dish.
Cover with aluminum foil to avoid drying.
Cook at 350°F for 20 minutes.

Microwave

The microwave is not the most ideal choice, but it is certainly the most convenient one if you plan to bring your leftovers to work or school.

Make sure that your pasta is in a microwave-safe container.
Add a bit of water to prevent drying
Cook then stir the pasta every minute to distribute the heat evenly.

How to Reheat Pasta Without Making It Greasy

For pasta with creamy sauces like alfredo, high heat can break the sauce (separating the fat from it). Hence, you may find the pasta greasy after reheating.

Controlling the heat is your best bet to make sure this does not happen. But before reheating, you can add extra cream to the sauce to revive the dish.