Craving a restaurant-quality meal that’s ready in under 30 minutes? This Chilli Garlic Prawn Pasta is your answer. It’s a beautifully simple dish that packs a powerful punch of flavor, combining succulent prawns, fiery chilli, and aromatic garlic with perfectly cooked pasta. Forget complicated recipes; this is the ultimate go-to for a quick, impressive, and utterly delicious weeknight dinner that will have everyone asking for seconds.
We’re focusing on simple, fresh ingredients to create a light yet satisfying sauce that clings to every strand of pasta. The magic lies in the balance of heat from the chilli flakes, the savory depth of garlic, and a bright, zesty finish from fresh lemon. It’s a classic combination that never fails to impress.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Incredibly Fast: From pantry to plate in less than 30 minutes, it’s perfect for busy evenings.
- Packed with Flavor: A vibrant combination of spicy, garlicky, and zesty notes makes every bite exciting.
- Simple Ingredients: You only need a handful of common ingredients to create this spectacular dish.
- Versatile: Easily adjust the spice level or add vegetables to make it your own. For a different take on seafood, you might also enjoy this easy coconut shrimp recipe.
The Key Ingredients for Chilli Garlic Prawn Pasta
The beauty of this spicy prawn pasta lies in its simplicity. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Prawns (Shrimp): Use large, raw prawns for the best flavor and texture. Fresh or frozen both work perfectly.
- Pasta: Long pasta like linguine, spaghetti, or fettuccine is ideal for this recipe as it catches the light sauce beautifully.
- Garlic: Fresh garlic is non-negotiable. It creates the aromatic base of our sauce.
- Chilli Flakes: These provide the signature heat. Adjust the amount to your personal preference.
- Olive Oil: A good quality extra virgin olive oil is essential for creating a rich, flavorful sauce.
- Dry White Wine: A splash of something like a Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc deglazes the pan and adds incredible depth. You can substitute with pasta water or chicken broth if you prefer.
- Lemon: We use both the juice and zest to add a bright, fresh finish that cuts through the richness.
- Parsley: Freshly chopped parsley adds a touch of color and freshness at the end.
How to Make The Perfect Chilli Garlic Prawn Pasta
Follow these simple steps for a flawless garlic shrimp linguine every time. The key is to have your ingredients prepped and ready to go, as the cooking process is very quick!
Step 1: Cook the Pasta
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add your pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Just before draining, reserve about 1 cup of the starchy pasta water. This is liquid gold and will help our sauce come together.
Step 2: Sauté the Aromatics
While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a large skillet or pan over medium heat. Add the sliced garlic and chilli flakes. Cook for about 1-2 minutes, stirring frequently, until the garlic is fragrant and lightly golden. Be careful not to burn the garlic, as it will become bitter.
Step 3: Cook the Prawns
Increase the heat to medium-high, add the prawns to the skillet, and season with salt and pepper. Cook for 1-2 minutes per side, until they are pink and just opaque. The goal is to cook them perfectly so they remain tender and juicy. Overcooked prawns become tough and rubbery.
Step 4: Create the Sauce
Pour in the white wine to deglaze the pan, scraping up any delicious browned bits from the bottom. Let it bubble and reduce by about half. Add the lemon juice and half of the chopped parsley. If you love a rich garlic butter sauce, consider exploring this creamy garlic butter chicken pasta (coming soon) for another time.
Step 5: Combine and Serve
Add the drained pasta directly to the skillet with the prawns. Toss everything together, adding a splash of the reserved pasta water to help the sauce emulsify and coat the pasta. Add the butter and lemon zest, and toss again until the butter is melted and the sauce is glossy. Serve immediately, garnished with the remaining fresh parsley and an extra sprinkle of chilli flakes if you dare!
Tips for Success
- Don’t Overcook the Prawns: Prawns cook in just a few minutes. Remove them from the heat as soon as they turn pink and opaque to ensure they stay tender.
- Use Reserved Pasta Water: The starchy water is key to creating a silky sauce that coats the pasta perfectly. Don’t skip this step!
- Fresh is Best: Using fresh garlic, lemon, and parsley will make a world of difference in the final flavor of your dish.
- Control the Heat: Start with a smaller amount of chilli flakes and add more at the end if you want extra spice. This recipe is fantastic, but if you’re looking for something with a different flavor profile, this Cajun Steak Pasta is a must-try.
Variations and Substitutions
This recipe is a fantastic base for customization. Here are a few ideas:
- Add Veggies: Sauté some cherry tomatoes, spinach, or asparagus with the garlic for added nutrition and flavor.
- Make it Creamy: For a richer sauce, stir in a splash of heavy cream at the end with the butter.
- Different Herbs: Not a fan of parsley? Fresh basil or oregano would also be delicious.
Absolutely! Just make sure to thaw them completely before cooking. Pat them dry with a paper towel to remove excess moisture, which will help them sear nicely instead of steaming in the pan.
The easiest way is to adjust the amount of red chilli flakes. For a milder dish, use 1/2 teaspoon. For extra heat, use 1.5 teaspoons or more. You can also add a finely chopped fresh red chilli along with the garlic for a different kind of heat.
Prawns cook very quickly, usually in just 2-3 minutes. Cook them for about 1-2 minutes per side until they turn pink and curl into a ‘C’ shape. They will continue to cook slightly from the residual heat, so it’s best to err on the side of undercooking them slightly.
If you prefer not to use wine, you can substitute it with an equal amount of chicken broth, vegetable broth, or even the starchy pasta water. This will still help deglaze the pan and add flavor to the sauce.
This dish is fantastic on its own, but it also pairs beautifully with a simple green salad with a vinaigrette dressing, some crusty bread for soaking up the sauce, or steamed asparagus.
Absolutely! Just make sure to thaw them completely before cooking. Pat them dry with a paper towel to remove excess moisture, which will help them sear nicely instead of steaming in the pan.
The easiest way is to adjust the amount of red chilli flakes. For a milder dish, use 1/2 teaspoon. For extra heat, use 1.5 teaspoons or more. You can also add a finely chopped fresh red chilli along with the garlic for a different kind of heat.
Prawns cook very quickly, usually in just 2-3 minutes. Cook them for about 1-2 minutes per side until they turn pink and curl into a ‘C’ shape. They will continue to cook slightly from the residual heat, so it’s best to err on the side of undercooking them slightly.
If you prefer not to use wine, you can substitute it with an equal amount of chicken broth, vegetable broth, or even the starchy pasta water. This will still help deglaze the pan and add flavor to the sauce.
This dish is fantastic on its own, but it also pairs beautifully with a simple green salad with a vinaigrette dressing, some crusty bread for soaking up the sauce, or steamed asparagus.
Your New Favorite Pasta Dish
This Chilli Garlic Prawn Pasta is a true culinary hero—quick, easy, and bursting with flavor. It’s destined to become a staple in your dinner rotation. Give it a try and let me know what you think in the comments below. For more recipe inspiration, be sure to follow us on Pinterest!
Chilli Garlic Prawn Pasta: A Simple Weeknight Delight
This Chilli Garlic Prawn Pasta is a restaurant-quality meal ready in under 30 minutes. It combines succulent prawns, fiery chilli, and aromatic garlic for a quick, impressive, and delicious weeknight dinner that packs a powerful punch of flavor.
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
- While pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add sliced garlic and chilli flakes, cooking for 1-2 minutes until fragrant. Do not let the garlic burn.
- Increase heat to medium-high. Add prawns, season with salt and pepper, and cook for 1-2 minutes per side until pink and opaque.
- Pour in the white wine to deglaze the pan, scraping the bottom. Allow it to reduce by half. Stir in the lemon juice and half the chopped parsley.
- Add the drained pasta to the skillet with the prawns. Toss well, adding splashes of reserved pasta water to create a silky sauce. Stir in the butter and lemon zest until the butter melts.
- Serve immediately, garnished with the remaining fresh parsley and extra chilli flakes if desired.
Notes
Don't Overcook Prawns: Watch them closely as they cook in just a few minutes. They should be pink and just opaque.
Use Pasta Water: This starchy water is essential for creating a smooth, glossy sauce that clings to the pasta.
Adjust Spice: You can easily control the heat by adding more or less red chilli flakes to suit your taste.
Chilli Garlic Prawn Pasta: A Simple Weeknight Delight
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
- While pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add sliced garlic and chilli flakes, cooking for 1-2 minutes until fragrant. Do not let the garlic burn.
- Increase heat to medium-high. Add prawns, season with salt and pepper, and cook for 1-2 minutes per side until pink and opaque.
- Pour in the white wine to deglaze the pan, scraping the bottom. Allow it to reduce by half. Stir in the lemon juice and half the chopped parsley.
- Add the drained pasta to the skillet with the prawns. Toss well, adding splashes of reserved pasta water to create a silky sauce. Stir in the butter and lemon zest until the butter melts.
- Serve immediately, garnished with the remaining fresh parsley and extra chilli flakes if desired.
Notes
Use Pasta Water: This starchy water is essential for creating a smooth, glossy sauce that clings to the pasta.
Adjust Spice: You can easily control the heat by adding more or less red chilli flakes to suit your taste.
