Description
Spicy bang bang shrimp pasta delivers a flavor explosion that dances across taste buds. Crispy shrimp and creamy sauce create an irresistible combination you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 lb (454 g) shrimp, peeled & deveined
Pasta and Sauce Components:
- 8 oz (226 g) linguine or spaghetti
- ½ cup (120 ml) mayonnaise
- ¼ cup (60 ml) sweet chili sauce
- ½ cup (120 ml) heavy cream (optional, for extra creaminess)
- 2 tablespoons (30 ml) butter
- ¼ cup (60 ml) reserved pasta water (if needed to thin sauce)
Seasonings and Garnish:
- 1 tablespoon Sriracha (adjust to taste)
- 1 tablespoon honey (optional, for balance)
- 1 teaspoon lime juice
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ¼ cup (30 g) cornstarch (for crispiness)
- 2 tablespoons (30 ml) vegetable oil (for frying)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- ¼ cup (15 g) green onions, chopped (for garnish)
- Red pepper flakes (optional, for extra heat)
Instructions
- Prepare a generously salted water bath in a large pot, bringing it to a rolling boil. Submerge linguine or spaghetti and cook until perfectly tender yet firm. Drain the pasta, preserving a modest amount of starchy liquid, then set aside.
- Craft the vibrant Bang Bang sauce by harmonizing mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, Sriracha, honey, fresh lime juice, and garlic powder in a mixing vessel. Allow the sauce to rest momentarily.
- Meticulously pat shrimp dry using absorbent towels, then season with salt, pepper, and paprika. Delicately coat each shrimp in a light cornstarch dusting.
- Ignite a skillet with vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Carefully introduce the seasoned shrimp, searing each side until a golden, crisp exterior develops. Transfer the succulent morsels to a separate plate.
- Utilize the same skillet to melt butter, introducing minced garlic and allowing it to become fragrant. Incorporate heavy cream and half of the prepared Bang Bang sauce, letting the mixture simmer briefly.
- Gently fold the cooked pasta into the creamy sauce, introducing reserved pasta water if needed to achieve desired consistency.
- Reunite the crispy shrimp with the pasta, drizzling the remaining Bang Bang sauce over the dish. Embellish with freshly chopped green onions and a sprinkle of red pepper flakes.
- Serve the dish immediately, presenting a tantalizing fusion of textures and flavors.
Notes
- Perfectly crisp shrimp requires completely dry seafood before coating with cornstarch, ensuring a golden, crunchy exterior that locks in flavor.
- Customize heat levels by adjusting Sriracha and red pepper flakes for personal spice preferences, making the dish adaptable for mild to fiery palates.
- Create a gluten-free version by using alternative pasta like zucchini noodles or certified gluten-free pasta, and swap cornstarch for rice flour when coating shrimp.
- Elevate the dish’s nutrition by adding extra vegetables like sautéed bell peppers or spinach, increasing fiber and providing additional texture and color contrast.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 600
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 900 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 70 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 150 mg