This Bang Bang shrimp pasta features juicy shrimp and angel hair pasta tossed in a sweet, spicy, and creamy sauce. It’s absolutely divine and ready in under 30 minutes!
Craving something crispy? Swap the shrimp in this recipe for our fried Bang Bang shrimp!
Bang Bang Shrimp Pasta Video
How To Make Bang Bang Shrimp Pasta
Can you believe this delicious meal comes together so quickly? Make the sauce, cook the pasta and shrimp, and give it all a toss!
- Make the Bang Bang sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the mayo, sweet chili sauce, lime juice, and red pepper flakes until smooth.
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook until al dente.
- Season and sauté the shrimp: Season the shrimp with salt and paprika. Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat, then add the garlic and cook until fragrant. Add the shrimp and cook for 6-8 minutes, or until they are fully cooked.
- Toss everything together: Add the drained pasta and sauce to the skillet with the shrimp. Toss everything together and serve warm!
Hot tip: To quickly defrost frozen shrimp, place the bag in a large bowl and run cold water over it for 10-15 minutes. Rotate the bag periodically to ensure even thawing. Once thawed, pat the shrimp dry with a paper towel before seasoning and cooking.
Tips From The Kitchen
If you’re looking for an ultra-comforting dish that delivers big on flavor, you’re in the right place! Listen up to these tips for the most bangin’ shrimp pasta.
- Use your favorite pasta. We love angel hair for its lightness and ability to soak up all the delicious sauce. However, thin spaghetti noodles, linguine, fettuccine, or homemade pasta can also be used.
- Avoid overcooking the shrimp. For perfectly plump, juicy shrimp, sauté them only until they are opaque all the way through. Any longer, and you run the risk of tough and rubbery shrimp.
- Make it creamy. Mayo is key to creating a thick and creamy sauce — don’t skip it! If you’re out of mayo, swap it with heavy whipping cream.
- Top with fresh herbs. This is a rich dish, so what better way to balance it than with a sprinkle of herbs? Top your pasta with fresh chopped parsley, cilantro, or chives for a pop of green and refreshing flavor.
Ways To Serve
Bang Bang shrimp pasta is the perfect main dish for a family dinner or date night in. Serve it with a spread of warm sides like garlic bread, sautéed mixed veggies, and roasted okra. Looking for something cooler? Dish up a plate of Asian cucumber salad, corn tomato avocado salad, or bell pepper canapés.
Storage & Reheating
Lucky with leftovers? Follow these tips to get the most bang for your buck with your shrimp pasta!
- Storage: Refrigerate the leftover shrimp pasta in an airtight container for 1-2 days. We don’t recommend freezing this dish, as the sauce may separate.
- Reheating: Reheat the shrimp pasta on the stove or in the microwave until warmed through. Add a splash of milk if needed to reconstitute the sauce.
More Pasta Dishes
- Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta — Bursting with sundried tomatoes and sweet cherry tomatoes
- Pasta Primavera — Refreshing, light and full of vegetables
- Salmon Alfredo — If you love the decadence of Alfredo pasta, just wait until you add salmon to it!
- Creamy Veggie Pasta — A colorful variety of veggies
- Creamy Spinach Tomato Tortellini — Loaded with ground beef, tortellini, and tasty sauce
- Chicken Mushroom Fettuccine Alfredo — Tossed with luscious homemade Alfredo sauce
Recipe
Ingredients
- 8 oz Angel hair pasta
- 1 lb medium shrimp peeled and deveined
- 1 tsp salt adjust to preference
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tbsp unsalted butter
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 1/2 cup mayonaisse
- 1/2 cup sweet chili sauce
- 1 tbsp lime juice
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
Instructions
- In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the mayo, sweet chili sauce, lime juice, and red pepper flakes until smooth.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta al dente according to package instructions.
- Meanwhile, toss together the shrimp, salt, and paprika in a separate bowl until evenly coated. Set aside.
- Place a large skillet over medium-high heat. Melt the butter and add the minced garlic. Cook just until fragrant.
- Add the shrimp and sauté for 6-8 minutes, or until the shrimp is opaque and cooked through.
- Add the drained pasta and sauce mixture to the skillet. Toss everything together until well incorporated. Top the pasta with your favorite herbs (like cilantro) and serve warm!
Would this be good if I used chicken instead?
That would totally work! Just adjust the cooking time, since chicken may take longer depending on the thickness. Enjoy, and please report back if you try it!