Description

Bang Bang Shrimp Pasta is a vibrant and creamy dish featuring tender, pan-seared shrimp tossed in a spicy and tangy Bang Bang sauce. Combined with a luscious Parmesan cream sauce and perfectly cooked pasta, this 30-minute recipe offers a flavorful fusion with a balance of heat, sweetness, and richness, garnished with fresh herbs and optional lemon wedges for brightness.

Ingredients

Shrimp Seasoning

1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon paprika
Salt and pepper, to taste

Bang Bang Sauce

1/4 cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons sweet chili sauce
1 tablespoon sriracha (adjust to spice preference)
1 teaspoon honey
1 teaspoon rice vinegar (or regular vinegar)

Pasta and Cream Sauce

8 oz pasta (linguine, spaghetti, or your preferred type)
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Garnish

Fresh parsley or green onions for garnish
Lemon wedges (optional, for serving)

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Instructions

Prepare the Shrimp: In a medium bowl, toss the shrimp with olive oil, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper to season evenly.
Cook the Shrimp: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned shrimp and cook for 2-3 minutes per side until they turn pink and are cooked through. Remove the shrimp from the skillet and set aside.
Make the Bang Bang Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, sriracha, honey, and rice vinegar until smooth. Adjust spice level to taste.
Cook the Pasta: Prepare the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta, reserving 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water, and set aside.
Sauté Garlic: Using the same skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn.
Make the Cream Sauce: Add heavy cream and grated Parmesan cheese to the skillet. Stir and let it simmer for 2-3 minutes to thicken. If the sauce is too thick, stir in reserved pasta water gradually to reach desired consistency.
Toss Pasta in Sauce: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss to coat thoroughly with the creamy Parmesan sauce.
Add the Shrimp and Bang Bang Sauce: Gently toss the cooked shrimp into the pasta. Drizzle the prepared Bang Bang sauce over the mixture and toss everything together until well coated.
Serve and Garnish: Plate the pasta and garnish with fresh parsley or green onions. Offer lemon wedges on the side for optional squeezing to add brightness to the dish.

Notes

You can adjust the level of spiciness by varying the amount of sriracha in the Bang Bang sauce.
Reserve some pasta water to adjust sauce consistency as needed.
Use linguine, spaghetti, or any long pasta you prefer for this recipe.
For a lighter version, substitute mayonnaise with Greek yogurt, though it will change the flavor slightly.
Ensure shrimp is cooked just until pink to avoid toughness.
Serve immediately for the best texture and flavor.