This delicious shrimp spaghetti has pasta covered with a creamy, spicy sauce that’s big on flavor! Perfect for an easy dinner or date night.
My husband loves to visit a local Chinese buffet when we go out shopping. One of my favorite dishes on the buffet is a seafood pasta recipe they call ‘Shrimp Spaghetti’. So for this Mitten Movie Night, I decided this would be a great recipe to try and recreate at home.
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The problem was though I couldn’t quite pin down what type of sauce is used in this dish. It’s not alfredo sauce. The taste is sweet and creamy. After some research, the closest one I found was Bang Bang sauce.
While the pasta was spicier than what I get at the buffet it was still as good, if not better!
What movie pairs well with seafood and craft beer?
The big movie right now is Bird Box on Netflix.
Luckily, I read the book before watching this movie. While it was good, the book is SO much better. It is also written by a Michigan author.
What beer pairs well with this shrimp and pasta recipe?
The beer: No, Yeah Golden Ale from Bell’s.
This is a new offering from Bell’s Brewing. The thing is, this is only available in the Midwest. To find out more about this beer that’s only available in the Midwest, check out their No, Yeah page.
Ingredients
This creamy shrimp spaghetti recipe has-
- Shrimp. I like to use pre-cooked, frozen cocktail shrimp that has been thawed. I like the smaller shrimp so that there is shrimp in every bite of the pasta.
- Spaghetti pasta. Regular spaghetti works best.
- Green onions. I LOVE green onions and use them in a lot of different recipes. Dice the white parts to sautee with the seafood, and add the diced green stems to the pasta right before serving.
- A simple sauce made with mayonnaise, Thai chili sauce, and paprika. The creaminess from the mayonnaise combines perfectly with the sweet heat from the chili sauce.
How to make shrimp spaghetti step-by-step
Cook the spaghetti according to the package directions. Drain and set aside.
Thaw the shrimp then remove and discard the tails.
In a pan add the butter, shrimp, garlic, and half of the chopped green onions.
Sauté the shrimp over medium heat until cooked through.
Next, mix the ingredients for the sauce. It’s so simple – mayonnaise, sweet Thai chili sauce,
To the pan the shrimp is in, add the cooked spaghetti and the sauce. Stir to combine. The spaghetti will warm the sauce so no need to cook further.
Top with the reserved green onions.
Tips & Variations
- Want a less spicy dish? Swap out the sweet Thai chili sauce for
sweet & sour sauce. - I use pre-cooked shrimp to save time. If using uncooked shrimp prepare and cook according to package directions.
- Make your own Thai Chili Sauce with this recipe from The Spruce Eats
Storage
Add leftovers to a covered container and refrigerate. To reheat make 1/4-1/2 cup more of the sauce and add it to the remaining pasta and reheat in a saute pan.
It is not recommended to freeze this recipe. Frozen shrimp can be kept in the freezer for up to 6 months. All the other ingredients are mostly on hand.
More shrimp recipes
And here you are…….
From our home in the Bottom Left of the Mitten to yours ~ Enjoy!
Shrimp Spaghetti
Equipment
- large sautee pan
- medium stockpot
Ingredients
- 8 ounces spaghetti pasta
- 8 ounces shrimp I used pre-cooked shrimp but use whatever you like best
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 2 green onion stalks chopped
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup sweet Thai chili sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon Spanish paprika
Instructions
- Cook the spaghetti according to package directions. Drain and set aside.8 ounces spaghetti pasta
- Thaw the shrimp, then remove and discard the tails.8 ounces shrimp
- In a pan, add the butter, shrimp, garlic, and half of the chopped green onions.1 tablespoon butter, 2 garlic cloves, 2 green onion stalks
- Sauté the shrimp until cooked through.
- Mix the ingredients for the sauce. It's so simple - mayonnaise, sweet Thai chili sauce, and paprika.1/2 cup mayonnaise, 1/4 cup sweet Thai chili sauce, 1/2 teaspoon Spanish paprika
- To the pan the shrimp is in, add the cooked spaghetti and the sauce. Stir to combine.
- Top with reserved green onions. Serve and enjoy!
Video
Notes
Tips for making this recipe:
- Want a less spicy dish? Swap out the sweet Thai chili sauce for sweet & sour sauce.
- I use pre-cooked shrimp to save time. If using uncooked shrimp prepare and cook according to package directions.
- To store: Add to a covered container and eat within 3 days. To reheat 1/2 the sauce and add it to the leftovers in a saute pan, heat through and serve.
Recipe adapted from Spicy Southern Kitchen
Originally published in December of 2018. Updated post in April of 2022, same great recipe.
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Last Updated on March 16, 2023 by [email protected]
Such an easy yet unexpected recipe! Bang bang sauce works perfectly with pasta!
Thank you, Brianna! It is a great combination.
This shrimp spaghetti is so delicious and tasty! Can’t wait to make this again! My daughter and I love love loved it!
I am so happy you enjoyed it, Beth!
My kids gobble this down every time!
My kids love it too! It’s a great kid-friendly meal.
This recipe was so simple but was full of flavor! We will definitely be making it again soon!
Thank you Anjali, I am so happy you enjoyed it and will be making it again.
Lovely recipe & great pictures. I would add a dash of smoky tabasco to balance out the sweetness of the Sweet Thai Chilli sauce.
Thanks so much! The added tabasco would be a great addition for a little more heat.