Spicy Shrimp Spinach Pasta – an easy 30-minute weeknight spinach spaghetti dinner that delivers a huge punch of flavor with no cream and just a handful of ingredients. Spicy, creamy, loaded pasta dinner that everyone would love!
While some of you are already busy planning out for the holidays, let me share with you today one of my favorite quick dinners that always saves me time without compromising the taste.
If you find spaghetti fettuccine with the creamy sauce too heavy for your liking, then this is a great alternative. It’s elegant, great for a weeknight meal, and good enough for a celebratory meal with family and friends.
Sometimes, I’m amazed at the amount of pasta I have in the pantry – when they go on sale I stock up.
Silly me, I’m afraid I’m going to run out, or don’t want to have to make a last-minute run to the store when there is a spontaneous decision to cook with it. I wasn’t too crazy about spaghetti until my mini-chef was born. Seriously, I have yet to come across a kid that does not like spaghetti and meatballs.
This one right here is not his cup of tea – he doesn’t like shrimp. He loads up on this spicy spinach spaghetti and pushes the shrimp aside. Not complaining at all because that means more shrimp for moi.
What’s in a Shrimp Spinach Pasta Recipe?
This meal can be made in 30 minutes, start with the spaghetti first and while it’s cooking, cut up onions, bell pepper and tomatoes. I don’t go crazy with the ingredients for this recipe. Just a handful of pantry staple ingredients for this seafood pasta and you’re good to go.
Here’s what you need to prepare for this mighty fine shrimp pasta meal:
- Spaghetti
- Shrimp
- Creole Seasoning
- Olive or Canola Oil
- Butter
- Tomatoes, Bell pepper, and Garlic
- Thyme
- Smoked Paprika
- Red Pepper Flakes
- Lemon Juice
- Chicken Broth
- Salt and Pepper
How to Wilt Spinach
Overcooking spinach will result in unpleasant slimy leaves with a more prominent bitter flavor. The spinach doesn’t really cook – per se, it just gets wilted from the heat of the warm spaghetti. It’s the last one to be added to the skillet. All you have to do is give it a quick stir after adding it to fully combine all the ingredients and then turn off the heat. No need to expose the spinach longer in the heat as it cooks quickly.
How to Store Leftover Spinach Pasta?
Store leftover cooled spinach spaghetti in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. And since we have seafood in this spinach pasta recipe, I recommend that you store it in the coldest part of your refrigerator so the shrimp will keep longer. Then just reheat them for a couple of minutes on a stovetop while making sure not to overcook the shrimp.
I don’t recommend freezing because this recipe is best at the time you make it with fresh ingredients!
Love Spinach? Try These Other Spinach Recipes
More Pasta Recipes
If you love pasta as I do, check out our other scrumptious pasta recipes below. You won’t regret trying them all!
How To Make Shrimp Spinach Pasta
Start by boiling spaghetti in a large pot, according to box instructions. Drain and set aside. While the spaghetti is boiling chop onions, tomato and bell pepper, if using whole garlic then mince. Lightly season the shrimp with creole spice. Heat oil over medium heat in a heavy bottomed Dutch/ or skillet. Add, about 1-2 Tablespoons of oil, followed by shrimp, sauté for about 3-5 minutes or until the shrimp is bright red and begins to curl. Remove shrimp from skillet and transfer to a plate. Add about 1-2 Tablespoons of butter to the pan. Followed by onions, garlic, tomatoes, thyme, bell pepper, smoked paprika and pepper flakes. Let it simmer for about for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent any burns.
Pour in chicken stock, and lemon juice. Stir until combined. Cook for about a minute, and then season with salt and pepper. Add drained spaghetti and shrimp.
Followed by spinach to the skillet, mix to fully combine all ingredients. Adjust seasoning to taste with salt and pepper. Turn off heat and let it soak up some of the sauce. Serve warm and garnish with lemon wedge.
Watch How To Make It
[adthrive-in-post-video-player video-id=”eXA2bmSU” upload-date=”2019-09-07T22:26:22.000Z” name=”Shrimp Spinach Pasta” description=”Spicy shrimp tomato spinach pasta- An Easy 30 minute weeknight spaghetti dinner that delivers a huge punch of flavor with no cream and just a handful of ingredients.”]
This recipe was first published on June 2015 and has been updated with a video and added tips.
Erren @Erren's Kitchen says
Wow, This looks SO GOOD! Great post!
Anne @ Inhabited Kitchen says
Somehow I seem to be looking at shrimp a lot in the last week or so… Maybe because it cooks quickly in the heat?
Question, though – your directions call for “creole spice” – is that the smoked paprika? Or a blend?
ImmaculateBites says
It’s a blend. Or you can replace it with salt.
Tina Marie says
Looks really good! I love any kind of red sauce.
ImmaculateBites says
Thanks Tina!
Heather@Fit Fare Meal Prep says
This looks absolutely delicious! Trying this soon!
Derek @ Dad With A Pan says
Wow this looks really good! I have to try this!
Ciao Florentina says
Drool worthy shrimp pasta that will make you break your diet ! Wowza !
Byron Thomas says
Oh, looks sooooo good!
Rachel @ Simple Seasonal says
I love 30 minute meals that this kids will eat too! My little one loves shrimp, so we’ll have to give this one a try.
olivia giovanni says
You had me at 30-minute recipe! I always love pasta with shrimp!!
Shashi at runninsrilankan says
It’s lunch time and I only have yogurt – and then I saw this!!! Oh dear I wish I could climb through the screen as your spicy shrimp looks so darn good!
Christine says
I love this. All that shrimp and spice and love the mere wilting of the spinach! Definitely on my “to make” list.
Angie@Angie's Recipes says
Those shrimp look so succulent and delicious!
Brian Jones says
I love the sound of this, I can only get frozen shrimp and usually go Indian or South East Asian with them so thanks for the reminder that there is also great shrimp dishes closer to home 🙂
Charlene @ That Girl Cooks Healthy says
Going to try this tomorrow with a ton of shrimp I have in the freezer but will make zucchini spaghetti instead.
Sandra says
Looks scrumptious.