Description
This Mouthwatering Creamy Chilli Garlic Prawn Pasta is a deliciously spicy and creamy seafood dish featuring succulent prawns sautéed with garlic and red pepper flakes, tossed in a rich Parmesan cream sauce with a hint of lemon. Perfect for a comforting weeknight dinner, this Italian-inspired recipe combines bold flavors with simple ingredients to create a satisfying main course.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 8 oz (225g) linguine or spaghetti
Seafood and Seasonings
- 1 pound (450g) large prawns or shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- ½–1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (adjust to heat preference)
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Sauce
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- juice of ½ lemon
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest (optional)
Garnish
- 2 tablespoons chopped parsley
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Cook the linguine or spaghetti according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta and reserve ¼ cup of the pasta cooking water for later use.
- Sauté Garlic and Spices: In a large skillet over medium heat, heat the olive oil and butter together. Add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes, cooking for about 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
- Cook Prawns: Add the prawns to the skillet along with smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Sauté for 2 to 3 minutes on each side, or until the prawns turn pink and are just cooked through. Remove the prawns from the skillet and set them aside temporarily.
- Prepare Cream Sauce: Lower the heat to medium-low and pour the heavy cream into the same skillet. Allow it to simmer gently for 1 to 2 minutes. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until it melts completely and the sauce becomes smooth.
- Add Lemon and Combine: Stir in the lemon juice and optional lemon zest for a bright, fresh flavor. Return the cooked prawns to the skillet and toss to coat them in the creamy sauce.
- Mix Pasta with Sauce: Add the drained pasta to the skillet with the prawns and sauce. Toss everything together to ensure the pasta is evenly coated. If the sauce feels too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water to loosen it as desired.
- Serve: Serve the pasta hot, garnished with freshly chopped parsley and additional grated Parmesan cheese if you like.
Notes
- Add a handful of baby spinach or sun-dried tomatoes for extra flavor and color.
- Use half-and-half instead of heavy cream for a lighter sauce option.
- For a dairy-free version, substitute heavy cream with coconut cream and omit the Parmesan cheese or use a vegan alternative.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-Inspired
