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Bang Bang Shrimp Pasta dish with creamy sauce and tender shrimp over spaghetti.

Bang Bang Shrimp Pasta

A quick and delicious pasta dish featuring juicy shrimp and a creamy, spicy bang bang sauce that feels fancy but is easy enough for a weeknight dinner.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Asian
Calories: 450
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the pasta and shrimp
  • 8 to 10 ounces pasta (spaghetti, linguine, or penne)
  • 1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined Frozen shrimp can be used, thawed properly.
  • 1 to 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • Salt and pepper To taste
For the bang bang sauce
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise Can substitute with Greek yogurt.
  • 1/3 cup sweet chili sauce
  • 1 to 2 tablespoons sriracha Adjust to taste.
  • 1 teaspoon honey or sugar Optional for sweetness.
  • 1 to 2 teaspoons lime juice or rice vinegar For tang.
Easy extras
  • Sliced green onions
  • Chopped cilantro If desired.
  • Sesame seeds
  • A handful of shredded cabbage or coleslaw mix For added crunch.

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Boil pasta in salted water until just tender, then save a little pasta water before draining.
  2. Season shrimp and cook in a hot pan with olive oil until pink and curled, then remove to prevent overcooking.
  3. Whisk together the bang bang sauce and warm it gently in the same pan.
  4. Toss the drained pasta in the sauce, loosening it with a splash of reserved pasta water if needed.
  5. Fold the cooked shrimp back into the pasta and sauce.
  6. Top with sliced green onions, an extra drizzle of sauce, and a pinch of chili flakes if you like heat.

Notes

Do not crank the heat when adding the sauce to prevent separation. For a milder version, reduce the sriracha and adjust based on your spice preference. Leftovers are best reheated gently with a splash of water.