10+ Italian Shrimp Pasta Recipes for Delicious Weeknight Dinners

Italian shrimp pasta recipes are a wonderful way to enjoy a delicious meal that is both quick and satisfying. These dishes combine the rich flavors of Italy with the fresh taste of shrimp, making them perfect for any occasion. Whether you’re looking for something simple for a weeknight dinner or a recipe to impress guests, there’s an Italian shrimp pasta dish for you.

With a variety of ingredients, you can create pasta meals that are full of flavor and easy to prepare. You can mix and match with different types of pasta and sauces to make each dish unique.

Get ready to dive into some tasty recipes that will bring the spirit of Italian cooking right to your kitchen.

Shrimp Scampi with Linguine

Shrimp scampi with linguine is a delicious and quick meal you can make at home. This dish combines fresh shrimp with garlic, butter, and pasta for a tasty dinner.

Start by boiling a large pot of salted water. You will cook the linguine in this water until it’s al dente, which takes about 11 minutes.

While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add shrimp and cook until they turn pink, which usually takes just a few minutes.

Once the shrimp is ready, toss in garlic and cook until fragrant. Then, mix in the cooked linguine along with some reserved pasta water to create a light sauce.

Add parsley and season with salt and pepper to taste.

Serve your shrimp scampi hot, drizzled with a bit more olive oil if you like.

Ingredients:

• 16 ounces linguine
• 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 4 tablespoons olive oil
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• Fresh parsley, chopped
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions:

1. Boil salted water and cook linguine until al dente (about 11 minutes).
2. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.
3. Add shrimp and cook until pink (about 3–4 minutes).
4. Stir in garlic and cook until fragrant (about 1 minute).
5. Mix in cooked linguine and reserved pasta water.
6. Add parsley and season with salt and pepper. Serve hot.

2) Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta

Garlic butter shrimp pasta is a simple and delicious dish you can make any night of the week. Fresh ingredients really enhance the flavors.

Start by cooking your favorite long pasta, like spaghetti or fettuccine, until it’s al dente.

In a separate pan, melt some butter and add minced garlic. This will create a fragrant base for your shrimp.

Use medium or large shrimp for the best texture. Cook them until they’re pink and opaque. Mix in some lemon juice for a bright flavor.

Finally, combine the pasta with the shrimp and sauce. Toss everything together until well coated. You can add parsley for a pop of color and freshness.

Ingredients

• 1 pound (450g) shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 8 ounces (225g) pasta
• 4 tablespoons (60g) butter
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• Juice of 1 lemon
• Fresh parsley, chopped
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook pasta according to package instructions.
2. In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat.
3. Add garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes.
4. Add shrimp and cook until pink, about 3-4 minutes.
5. Stir in lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
6. Toss the cooked pasta with the shrimp and sauce.
7. Garnish with parsley and serve warm.

3) Lemon Shrimp Spaghetti

Lemon shrimp spaghetti is a bright and fresh dish that’s perfect for any meal. You’ll enjoy the combination of juicy shrimp and zesty lemon sauce over tender pasta.

To make this dish, start by cooking your spaghetti in salted water. Once it’s al dente, reserve some cooking water before draining.

In a separate pan, sauté the shrimp with garlic and olive oil. Add lemon zest and juice for that refreshing flavor.

Toss in the cooked spaghetti and add some of the reserved water to create a light sauce.

Finally, season with salt, pepper, and fresh herbs like basil or parsley. Serve it warm for a delightful dinner.

Ingredients

• 1 pound (450 g) spaghetti
• 1 pound (450 g) large shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 lemons, zested and juiced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh basil or parsley for garnish

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook spaghetti in salted water until al dente.
2. Reserve 1/4 cup of cooking water and drain pasta.
3. In a pan, heat olive oil and sauté garlic.
4. Add shrimp and cook until pink.
5. Mix in lemon zest and juice.
6. Toss in spaghetti and reserved water.
7. Season with salt, pepper, and herbs. Serve hot.

4) Creamy Shrimp Alfredo

Creamy Shrimp Alfredo is a delicious dish that brings together tender shrimp and pasta in a rich, buttery sauce. It’s perfect for a cozy dinner at home or impressing guests.

To start, cook your fettuccini noodles in salted water.

While the pasta cooks, season the shrimp with salt, pepper, and a bit of paprika. Sauté the shrimp in a hot skillet with oil until they turn pink.

Next, prepare the creamy sauce. Melt butter in the skillet, then add garlic and chopped onions. Stir until fragrant and softened.

Slowly mix in heavy cream and grated Parmesan cheese until smooth.

Combine the cooked fettuccini, shrimp, and sauce. Toss everything together to coat the pasta and shrimp nicely. Serve warm for a satisfying meal.

Ingredients

• 3/4 lb (340 g) fettuccini noodles
• 1 lb (450 g) shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 1 Tbsp oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 Tbsp paprika
• 2 Tbsp butter
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 cup (120 ml) heavy cream
• 1/2 cup (50 g) grated Parmesan cheese

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook fettuccini in salted water. Drain and do not rinse.
2. Season shrimp with salt, pepper, and paprika.
3. Sauté shrimp in oil until pink.
4. In the same skillet, melt butter, then add garlic and onions. Cook until soft.
5. Stir in heavy cream and Parmesan until smooth.
6. Add shrimp and fettuccini to the sauce. Toss to coat. Serve warm.

5) Shrimp Fra Diavolo

Shrimp Fra Diavolo is a classic Italian dish that brings a spicy kick to your pasta night. You’ll enjoy juicy shrimp cooked in a rich tomato sauce with garlic, white wine, and a hint of heat.

This dish is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner, taking only about 20 minutes to prepare. The combination of freshness from herbs and the warmth from red pepper flakes makes it a favorite.

Serve it over your choice of pasta, and don’t forget some crusty bread to soak up that delicious sauce.

Ingredients

• 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes
• 1 cup dry white wine
• 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Fresh parsley, chopped

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
2. Add the garlic and sauté for 1 minute.
3. Add the shrimp and red pepper flakes. Cook until shrimp are pink.
4. Stir in the crushed tomatoes and white wine.
5. Simmer for 10 minutes, then season with salt and pepper.
6. Serve over pasta and sprinkle with parsley.

6) Pesto Shrimp Pasta

Pesto shrimp pasta is a delicious and quick dish that brings vibrant flavors to your table. The combination of shrimp and pesto creates a rich and satisfying meal. You can use spaghetti or linguine, depending on your preference.

Start by cooking your pasta in boiling water until it is al dente.

While that’s happening, prepare your pesto sauce. You can make it from fresh basil, garlic, olive oil, and lemon juice.

Once your pasta is ready, toss it with the pesto sauce and cooked shrimp. Add a splash of reserved pasta water to help the sauce cling to the pasta.

This dish is perfect for a weeknight dinner or a special gathering.

Ingredients

• Spaghetti or linguine
• Large shrimp
• Fresh basil
• Garlic
• Olive oil
• Lemon juice
• Salt

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook pasta according to package instructions in salted, boiling water.
2. In a blender, combine basil, garlic, olive oil, and lemon juice. Blend until smooth.
3. Drain the pasta and combine it with the pesto and shrimp.
4. Toss well, adding reserved pasta water if needed. Serve warm.

7) Tuscan Garlic Shrimp Pasta

Tuscan Garlic Shrimp Pasta is a delicious dish that blends shrimp with creamy garlic sauce and pasta. It’s simple to prepare, making it great for a weeknight dinner.

To start, you’ll want to use large shrimp for the best flavor. Make sure they are peeled and deveined for convenience. Cooking the pasta to al dente is crucial for the right texture.

The sauce comes together with garlic, heavy cream, and Parmesan cheese. Sun-dried tomatoes add a nice touch of sweetness. Combining these ingredients creates a rich, satisfying meal.

You can serve this dish with a sprinkle of fresh basil or extra cheese on top. It pairs wonderfully with a side salad or some crusty bread.

Ingredients

• 8 oz pasta (fettuccine, linguine, or spaghetti)
• 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
• 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh basil for garnish

Cooking Instructions

1. Boil a large pot of salted water. Cook the pasta until al dente, following package directions.
2. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water, then drain the pasta.
3. In a large skillet, sauté minced garlic in olive oil over medium heat.
4. Add shrimp and cook until they turn pink, about 3-4 minutes.
5. Stir in cream and sun-dried tomatoes. Simmer for 2 minutes.
6. Mix in pasta and reserved water. Stir until combined.
7. Add Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper. Serve warm with basil on top.

8) Shrimp Carbonara

Shrimp Carbonara is a delicious twist on the classic Italian dish. It combines tender shrimp with a creamy sauce, pasta, and crispy bacon. This meal is quick to prepare, taking only about 25 minutes.

You start by cooking your pasta until it’s al dente. In a separate pan, cook bacon until it’s nice and crispy. Then, add your shrimp and sauté until they are pink and cooked through.

The magic happens when you mix eggs and cheese with the pasta water to create a creamy sauce. Combine everything together for a rich and satisfying dinner.

Ingredients

• 8 oz spaghetti
• 6 oz shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 4 slices bacon, chopped
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Boil a large pot of salted water and cook spaghetti for about 12 minutes.
2. In a skillet, cook the chopped bacon until crispy.
3. Add shrimp and cook until pink.
4. In a bowl, whisk together eggs and cheese.
5. Drain pasta, reserving some water.
6. Combine pasta with bacon and shrimp.
7. Add egg mixture, stirring quickly to create a creamy sauce.
8. Add pasta water as needed to adjust the sauce’s texture.
9. Serve warm and enjoy!

9) Spicy Shrimp Arrabbiata

Spicy Shrimp Arrabbiata is a delicious pasta dish that brings a kick to your meal. The combination of shrimp and a spicy tomato sauce makes it a favorite for seafood lovers.

You can use fresh or frozen shrimp for this recipe. Just remember to thaw frozen shrimp completely before cooking. This dish pairs well with penne pasta, but you can use any pasta you like.

To start, sauté garlic in olive oil. Then, add red pepper flakes to taste for spice. Cook the shrimp until they turn pink and opaque. Finally, mix in your cooked pasta with the flavorful arrabbiata sauce.

Ingredients

• 8 ounces penne pasta
• 1 pound shrimp (peeled and deveined)
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 4 cloves garlic (minced)
• 1 can (14 ounces) crushed tomatoes
• 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• Salt to taste
• Fresh parsley (for garnish)

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook penne pasta according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
2. Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat (375°F / 190°C).
3. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute.
4. Stir in red pepper flakes and cook for another minute.
5. Add shrimp to the skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes until pink.
6. Pour in crushed tomatoes, and season with salt. Simmer for 5 minutes.
7. Toss cooked penne pasta in the shrimp and sauce mixture.
8. Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley.

10) Shrimp Primavera

Shrimp Primavera is a colorful and tasty dish that combines shrimp, fresh vegetables, and pasta. It’s a great way to enjoy a light and satisfying meal.

You start by cooking your favorite pasta according to the package directions. As the pasta cooks, heat some oil in a skillet. Add shrimp and veggies like asparagus and bell peppers. Sauté them until the shrimp turn pink and the vegetables are tender.

Once everything is cooked, mix in the drained pasta. You can enhance the flavor with grated Parmesan cheese and a squeeze of lemon juice for a refreshing twist.

Ingredients

• 8 ounces pasta
• 1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 1 cup asparagus, chopped
• 1 cup bell peppers, sliced
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Juice of 1 lemon
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook pasta according to package directions.

2. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.

3. Add shrimp and vegetables. Cook until the shrimp turn pink.

4. Mix in the drained pasta.

5. Stir in Parmesan cheese and lemon juice.

6. Season with salt and pepper before serving.