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Garlicky Calabrian Chili Pasta with Shrimp Recipe

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3.8 from 227 reviews

A flavorful and spicy Garlicky Calabrian Chili Pasta with succulent shrimp, tossed in a rich whipped chili butter sauce, finished with fresh lemon and parmesan. This 30-minute dish combines the heat of Calabrian pepper paste with the creamy texture of butter and the brightness of lemon for a perfect weeknight seafood pasta.

  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 5 servings

Ingredients

Chili Butter

  • 6 tablespoons salted butter (softened)
  • 4-5 cloves garlic
  • 2 teaspoons tomato paste
  • 1-3 tablespoons Calabrian pepper paste
  • 2 tablespoons parsley
  • Zest of 1 lemon
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon hot paprika

Main Ingredients

  • 1 pound shrimp (peeled and deveined)
  • 10 ounces linguine or fettuccine pasta
  • Shaved parmesan (for serving)

Instructions

  1. Prepare Chili Butter: Add softened salted butter, garlic, tomato paste, Calabrian pepper paste, parsley, lemon zest, lemon juice, black pepper, and hot paprika to a food processor and pulse until fully combined and whipped into a smooth butter. Transfer to a bowl and set aside. You can refrigerate if not using immediately.
  2. Cook Shrimp: Heat a large, deep skillet over medium-high heat. Add 2 tablespoons of the prepared chili butter and let it melt. Add shrimp and cook, stirring occasionally, until shrimp curl into a ‘C’ shape and are opaque, about 3-4 minutes. Remove shrimp to a plate and keep warm. Do not clean the skillet.
  3. Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of water to a boil, generously salt it, and cook linguine or fettuccine according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta cooking water before draining.
  4. Toss Pasta with Sauce: Reduce heat to medium-low and return the skillet used for shrimp to the stovetop. Add the drained pasta, 3 tablespoons of prepared chili butter, and a small splash of reserved pasta water. Toss to combine and heat through, adding more pasta water as necessary to create a silky sauce.
  5. Combine and Serve: Add the cooked shrimp back into the pasta and toss gently. Adjust seasoning with more butter or pasta water if needed. Serve immediately topped with shaved parmesan cheese while warm.

Notes

  • Adjust the amount of Calabrian pepper paste according to your preferred spice level (1 tablespoon for mild, up to 3 for very spicy).
  • Do not rinse the skillet after cooking shrimp; this retains flavor for the pasta sauce.
  • Reserve pasta water to help emulsify and create sauce consistency.
  • Use fresh peeled and deveined shrimp for the best texture.
  • Can be refrigerated and reheated gently, adding pasta water to loosen the sauce.
  • Author: ELLA
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: Italian

Find it online: https://ellarecipe.com/garlicky-calabrian-chili-pasta-with-shrimp-recipe/