Okay, so let me just say—if you’ve never had Bang Bang Shrimp Pasta before, you’re seriously missing out. Like, what rock have you been living under? (Kidding… kinda.)
This dish is creamy, spicy, a little sweet, and packed with juicy shrimp that feel like a party in your mouth. It’s basically comfort food with a kick. And the best part? You don’t need to be some fancy chef to pull it off. If you can boil water and toss things in a skillet, you’re golden.
Let me walk you through it—and trust me, once you try this, it’s going straight into your weekly dinner rotation. My cousin legit asked me to make it for her birthday dinner… twice. Enough said.
What Is Bang Bang Shrimp Pasta Anyway?
So here’s the rundown: this pasta dish takes the crispy-spicy shrimp vibes from the popular Bang Bang Shrimp appetizer (you know, the one from Bonefish Grill) and tosses it all into a bowl of pasta. Think creamy sauce with a little heat, loads of flavor, and that tender shrimp that just melts in your mouth.
It’s kinda like Cajun Alfredo and spicy Asian fusion had a delicious baby.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Here’s what you’re working with. Nothing fancy—just regular grocery store stuff:
- 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 8 oz linguine or spaghetti
- 1/2 cup mayo (Duke’s or Hellmann’s works best, honestly)
- 1/4 cup sweet chili sauce
- 2 tbsp Sriracha (less if you’re not into heat, but… c’mon)
- 1 tbsp honey
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and pepper
- Green onions and red pepper flakes for topping (optional, but don’t skip)
I like to keep frozen shrimp on hand, so that’s usually what I use. Just thaw ’em first—no one likes soggy, icy seafood.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Alright, roll up your sleeves. Here’s how I make my Bang Bang Shrimp Pasta on a random Wednesday night when I want to feel like I’ve got my life together.
1. Cook That Pasta
Boil water, salt it like the ocean (don’t be shy), and cook your noodles according to the package. I go for a good al dente texture. Drain it and set it aside. Maybe toss a little olive oil on there so it doesn’t get clumpy.
2. Whip Up the Sauce
In a bowl, mix together the mayo, sweet chili sauce, Sriracha, honey, and a pinch of salt and pepper. That’s your magic sauce right there. You could seriously slather this on cardboard and it’d be tasty. Set it aside—you’ll want to lick the spoon, but try to wait.
3. Cook the Shrimp
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Toss in your shrimp, season with salt and pepper, and cook for about 1-2 minutes per side. Shrimp cook fast—like, blink and they’re done. You’ll know they’re ready when they turn pink and curl up a bit.
Once they’re cooked, toss in the minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds. Just enough to get your kitchen smelling like absolute heaven.
4. Combine Everything
Lower the heat, add the sauce into the skillet, and stir to coat all those beautiful shrimp. Let it heat through for a minute or two, then toss in your cooked pasta. Mix everything up so that pasta gets fully coated in that spicy, creamy goodness.
If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of pasta water or milk to thin it out. I do this a lot—makes it extra silky.
Tips To Make It Faster (Because We’re All Tired)
Honestly, this recipe is already pretty quick—like, 25 minutes max if you’re not distracted by a TikTok rabbit hole. But here are some time-saving tips:
- Use pre-cooked shrimp. Just heat ’em up and go.
- Make the sauce the night before. It tastes even better after chilling.
- Boil pasta while you cook the shrimp. Multitasking = done faster.
- Double the sauce. Keep it in the fridge for the next day—it’s great on tacos, rice bowls, or honestly… with a spoon.
What to Serve With It
If you’re going all out, make some garlic bread and a little side salad (baby spinach, ranch, done). Or just eat it straight outta the bowl while standing over the stove. No judgment here.
A cold drink pairs great too—maybe a crisp white wine or a citrusy soda. I mean, you made a spicy shrimp pasta, you deserve a treat.
Why You’ll Crave This Again (and Again)
Let’s be real. This Bang Bang Shrimp Pasta hits all the buttons:
- Creamy? Yep.
- Spicy? You bet.
- Quick and easy? Absolutely.
- Instagram-worthy? Oh, for sure.
It’s the kinda dish that feels fancy but totally doable, even on a weeknight when your brain’s running on fumes. It’s also super easy to tweak—less spicy, more garlic, gluten-free pasta, whatever floats your boat.
Final Thoughts
Next time you’re wondering what to make for dinner, and your fridge looks kinda sad—remember this recipe. It’s quick, it’s crazy flavorful, and it turns a basic pasta night into something that feels special.
Honestly, this is the one recipe I keep in my back pocket for when guests are over and I want them to think I’m a wizard in the kitchen. Works every time.
So go ahead—grab some shrimp, boil that pasta, and make yourself a big ol’ bowl of Bang Bang Shrimp Pasta. You’re welcome in advance.
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