8 Easy Minimal Ingredient Shrimp Pasta Recipes

These easy minimal ingredient shrimp pasta recipes turn a bag of shrimp and a box of pasta into dinner in about twenty minutes.

From garlic butter shrimp pasta to a spicy cajun version, a creamy alfredo, and a fiery fra diavolo, each one keeps the ingredient list short and the flavor big.

Here are the eight shrimp pastas I make when I want something quick and a little special!

Shrimp cooks in just a couple of minutes, so the pasta water is really the longest part of the whole dinner.

Each of these builds a sauce right in the pan while the shrimp cooks, which keeps everything to one skillet and one pot.

1. Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta

Shrimp cooked in garlic butter and tossed with pasta for a simple, buttery dinner.

Butter, garlic, and a little parsley are almost the whole recipe.

The shrimp cook in the same pan you build the sauce in.

Grated parmesan and a little lemon brighten the finish.

2. Cajun Shrimp Pasta

Shrimp coated in Cajun spice tossed with pasta in a creamy, gently spicy sauce.

A good sprinkle of Cajun seasoning does most of the flavoring.

The cream tames the heat into something rich and cozy.

Serve with a little extra parmesan on top.

3. Shrimp Alfredo

Tender shrimp in a creamy parmesan alfredo sauce over fettuccine.

The sauce comes together from butter, cream, and cheese.

Add the shrimp at the end so they stay plump and tender.

A restaurant-style pasta made right at home.

4. Lemon Shrimp Pasta

Shrimp and pasta in a bright, creamy lemon sauce that tastes like spring.

Fresh lemon juice and zest keep it light and fresh.

It’s ready in the time it takes the pasta to boil.

A little spinach stirred in adds color and greens.

5. Shrimp Fra Diavolo

Shrimp simmered in a spicy tomato sauce and tossed with pasta for a fiery Italian dinner.

Red pepper flakes bring the signature heat.

A can of crushed tomatoes makes the quick sauce.

Serve over linguine with fresh basil on top.

6. Creamy Tuscan Shrimp Pasta

Shrimp in a creamy sauce with sun-dried tomatoes and spinach over pasta.

The sun-dried tomatoes add a rich, tangy depth to the sauce.

Cream and parmesan pull it all together.

It looks fancy but comes together in one pan.

7. Shrimp Pesto Pasta

Shrimp tossed with pasta and a bright basil pesto for a fresh, herby dinner.

Store-bought pesto means barely any measuring at all.

The shrimp sear in the pan while the pasta cooks.

Top with cherry tomatoes and a little parmesan.

8. Bang Bang Shrimp Pasta

Crispy shrimp tossed with pasta in a creamy, sweet-and-spicy bang bang sauce.

Whisk mayo with sweet chili sauce and a touch of sriracha for the glaze.

It’s a fun twist on the popular appetizer.

Sprinkle green onions over the top to serve.

Notes on Shrimp Pasta

Thaw frozen shrimp quickly under cool running water, then pat them dry so they sear in a hot pan and pick up color.

Cook the shrimp just until they turn pink and curl, since a minute too long makes them rubbery.

Save a cup of starchy pasta water before draining and use a splash to loosen any of these sauces.

Buy peeled and deveined shrimp to skip the prep and get dinner on the table even faster.

With pesto, canned tomatoes, and cream in the pantry, most of these come together from the shelf plus a bag of shrimp.

A bag of frozen shrimp and a box of pasta really is the whole starting point for every recipe here.