Description
This Mouthwatering Creamy Chilli Garlic Prawn Pasta is a rich and flavorful Italian-inspired dish combining perfectly cooked prawns with a luscious creamy sauce infused with garlic and chili flakes. Tossed with al dente spaghetti or fettuccine and finished with fresh parsley and Parmesan, it offers a spicy yet creamy seafood pasta experience perfect for a satisfying main course.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 oz spaghetti or fettuccine pasta
Prawns
- 1 pound raw prawns, peeled and deveined
Sauce and Seasoning
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon red chili flakes (adjust to taste)
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ¼ cup reserved pasta water
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add spaghetti or fettuccine and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve ¼ cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta and set aside.
- Cook Prawns: Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Season the prawns with salt, black pepper, and paprika. Add the prawns to the skillet and cook for 2 to 3 minutes per side until they turn pink and opaque. Remove the prawns from the skillet and set aside.
- Sauté Garlic and Chili Flakes: In the same skillet, add the minced garlic and red chili flakes. Sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
- Prepare Creamy Sauce: Reduce heat to low. Stir in the heavy cream and grated Parmesan cheese, mixing continuously until the sauce becomes smooth and well combined.
- Simmer Sauce: Add the reserved pasta water and lemon juice to the sauce. Gently simmer for 2 to 3 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
- Toss Pasta with Sauce and Prawns: Return the cooked prawns to the skillet along with the drained pasta. Toss everything together gently until the pasta and prawns are evenly coated with the creamy sauce.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from heat. Sprinkle with fresh parsley and serve immediately while warm for the best flavor and texture.
Notes
- You can substitute half-and-half instead of heavy cream for a lighter sauce.
- Add sautéed spinach or mushrooms to the dish for extra flavor and nutrition.
- Adjust the amount of red chili flakes to control the spiciness to your preference.
