Description
Spicy Garlic Prawn Pasta is a quick, flavorful dish featuring succulent prawns tossed in a buttery garlic and chili sauce with spaghetti. Ready in under 20 minutes, it’s perfect for both relaxed weekend meals and quick weekday dinners.
Ingredients
- 150 g spaghetti (about 5.3 oz)
- 200 g prawns (about 7 oz; king prawns, tiger prawns, or shrimp), peeled and deveined
- 3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
- 1 tsp chili flakes (adjust to taste)
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2–3 tbsp parsley, finely chopped
- 1 tbsp lemon juice, freshly squeezed
- 1 tsp salt (or to taste)
- 1/2 tsp black pepper (or to taste)
- 1 cup reserved pasta water
- 3–4 tbsp Parmesan or other hard cheese, finely grated (for serving)
Instructions
- Boil the spaghetti in salted water according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water, then drain and set aside.
- While pasta cooks, heat 1 tbsp of butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the prawns, season with salt and pepper, and sauté until pink and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
- In the same pan, melt the remaining butter over low-medium heat. Add chopped garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. Stir in chili flakes.
- Add cooked spaghetti and about 1/2 cup of the reserved pasta water to the pan. Toss to coat evenly. Season with salt and pepper.
- Return the prawns to the pan. Add lemon juice, olive oil, and chopped parsley. Toss everything together until well combined and heated through. Add more pasta water if needed to loosen the sauce.
- Serve hot, topped with grated Parmesan and extra parsley if desired.
Notes
- Adjust chili flakes to control the spice level.
- Use fresh lemon juice for brightness and balance.
- Do not overcook the prawns—remove them as soon as they turn pink.
- You can substitute prawns with shrimp or scallops.
- Leftovers can be stored in the fridge and reheated gently with a splash of water or butter.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 510
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 720mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 52g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 160mg
