This website may contain affiliate links and advertising so that we can provide recipes to you. Read my disclosure policy.
Bang bang shrimp pasta is what weeknight dinner dreams are made of! Juicy shrimp, tender pasta, and that irresistible sweet-and-spicy bang bang sauce come together in just 20 minutes. It’s creamy, bold, and guaranteed to be a hit.
Why This Recipe Is About to Be a Family Favorite
- Creamy with a Kick: That bang bang sauce brings the perfect combo of sweet heat and creamy goodness. Just like my Bang Bang Salmon and Bang Bang Chicken!
- Weeknight Wow Factor: It feels like something you’d order at your favorite restaurant, but it’s surprisingly simple to throw together at home.
- Shrimp + Pasta = Instant Win: Juicy shrimp tossed with saucy noodles? It’s comforting, satisfying, and just different enough to keep dinner exciting.
Ingredients for Bang Bang Shrimp Pasta
- Spaghetti Noodles: Any pasta will work! Thin spaghetti, angel hair, or bowtie are great substitutes.
- Shrimp: I used large shrimp for this recipe because shrimp shrinks quite a bit as it cooks.
- Heavy Cream: I love the addition of cream in the sauce! It thins the sauce just enough to help coat the noodles and shrimp perfectly.
- Sriracha Sauce: Use more or less depending on your preference.
How to Make Bang Bang Shrimp Pasta
If you love bold flavors without a ton of fuss, this pasta is calling your name! This shrimp recipe has saucy noodles and a creamy kick that come together in minutes, and trust me, everyone will be asking for seconds.
- Make the Sauce: In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, heavy cream, Thai sweet chili sauce, honey, Sriracha, and salt until combined. Set aside.
- Cook Pasta: Boil the spaghetti in a large pot according to the package directions, drain, then set aside.
- Season the Shrimp: Place shrimp in a large bowl, then season with paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Cook the Shrimp: Heat the butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat, then add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Add the seasoned shrimp to the skillet and cook for 6-8 minutes, until pink. Don’t overcook the shrimp, or they will be chewy. Remove the shrimp from the pan, then set aside.
- Heat the Sauce: Return to the same skillet and reduce the heat to medium-low. Add the sauce and heat for 1 minute, whisking continuously.
- Combine: Add the cooked shrimp and pasta, then toss to coat in the sauce.
Alyssa’s Pro Tip
Don’t Overcook the Shrimp! Shrimp cook in about 2 minutes per side. Once they’re pink, opaque, and curled into a loose C, they’re done. A tight O means they’re overcooked and rubbery.
Pin this now to find it later
Pin It
Prevent your screen from going dark
Sauce
In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together ⅓ cup mayonnaise, ¼ cup heavy cream, ⅓ cup sweet chili sauce, 1 tablespoon honey, 1 tablespoon Sriracha sauce, and ¼ teaspoon salt until combined. Set aside.
Shrimp and Pasta
Cook 8 ounces dry spaghetti according to the package directions. Drain and set aside.
In a large bowl, season 1 pound large shrimp with 1 teaspoon paprika, ½ teaspoon salt, and ½ teaspoon pepper.
Heat 2 tablespoons unsalted butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 clove minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Add the seasoned shrimp to the skillet and cook until it turns pink, about 4-6 minutes. Don’t overcook the shrimp, or they will be chewy. Remove the shrimp from the pan and set aside.
Return to the same skillet and reduce the heat to medium-low. Add the sauce and heat for 1 minute, whisking continuously.
Add the cooked shrimp and pasta and toss to coat in the sauce.
- Fridge: Store cooled leftovers in an airtight container for 1-3 days.
- Reheating: Reheat leftovers in the microwave or over the stove until warmed through. I like to add a splash of cream to help add moisture to the pasta as it heats.
- Freezer: Not recommended.
- Make ahead: Best served fresh.
Calories: 582kcalCarbohydrates: 59gProtein: 24gFat: 27gSaturated Fat: 10gPolyunsaturated Fat: 9gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 0.3gCholesterol: 183mgSodium: 1504mgPotassium: 299mgFiber: 2gSugar: 17gVitamin A: 863IUVitamin C: 3mgCalcium: 91mgIron: 1mg
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
