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I call this a back-pocket recipe, a foolproof recipe that I can pull out when I’m short on time. This quick and easy Shrimp Spaghetti Dinner uses just a handful of ingredients and takes only 30-minutes to make. It’s quick, flavorful, and packed with everything you want in a weeknight meal: juicy shrimp, sweet blistered tomatoes, creamy cannellini beans, and tender spaghetti all tossed in a silky, garlicky sauce. And the best part? It all comes together in just half an hour.
This dish feels elevated and restaurant-worthy, but it’s made with pantry staples and just a few fresh ingredients. The shrimp gets chopped into bite-sized pieces so you get a little bit in every forkful. The tomatoes burst into a natural sauce, the beans bring creaminess and extra protein, and the Calabrian chili gives it just the right kick! It’s cozy, fresh, and simple — everything dinner should be.
❤️ Why You’ll Love This Shrimp Spaghetti Dinner
- Quick and easy — A full meal on the table in just 30 minutes!
- Big flavor, minimal fuss — Simple ingredients build into something rich, savory, and craveable.
- Protein-packed — Shrimp and cannellini beans make this dish extra satisfying.
- Perfect for weeknights — No complicated steps, no fancy tools — just one pan, one pot, an dinner is done.
Ingredients
The ingredients in this shrimp spaghetti dinner are simple and fresh. Because there are so few ingredients, as always, try to source the best quality.
🍤 Shrimp — Tender and quick-cooking, shrimp adds a lean source of protein and works perfectly with the light tomato sauce.
🧄 Garlic — Golden, fragrant, and essential to every good pasta dish.
🍅 Grape tomatoes — These burst into a fresh, juicy sauce that feels bright and flavorful.
Cannellini beans — Creamy, protein-rich, and a great source of fiber — they help thicken the sauce and add heartiness.
Calabrian chili flakes — Optional, but a game changer if you like a little heat!
🌿Fresh basil — Adds a pop of herby freshness to finish things off.
🍝 Spaghetti — The classic choice!
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Pin ItHow to Make This Shrimp Spaghetti Dinner
Prepare the shrimp -To make this shrimp spaghetti dinner, start by cutting your shrimp into small, bite-sized pieces using kitchen scissors. This way, you get a little bit in every bite. Season with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper.
Make the simple sauce – Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic and sauté until golden and fragrant. Toss in the grape tomatoes and cook until they start to soften, then use a potato masher to gently burst them into a sauce.
🪄Recipe Tip
Use kitchen scissors for the shrimp! It’s faster and makes bite-sized pieces easy to toss into the sauce.
Cook the pasta al dente! While that cooks, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the spaghetti until al dente, about 8 to 10 minutes.
Thicken the sauce – Back to the skillet, stir in the cannellini beans, the rest of the salt and pepper, and Calabrian chili flakes (if using). Let everything simmer for about 5 minutes. Scoop out about a cup of the mixture and blend until smooth, then set aside.
Add the shrimp – Add the fresh basil and shrimp to the skillet and cook just until the shrimp are pink and cooked through, about 3 to 5 minutes. Pour the blended veggie mixture back into the skillet and stir to create a creamy, flavorful sauce.
Put it all together! Once the spaghetti is al dente, drag it directly from the pot into the skillet — don’t drain it! The starchy pasta water helps thicken the sauce and coat the noodles.
Toss the pasta in the sauce until well combined and serve the shrimp spaghetti warm.
🪄Recipe Tip
Thicken the sauce with pasta water-Dragging the pasta straight into the sauce brings some of that starchy magic and helps everything cling beautifully.
Adjust the spice by starting with a pinch of chili flakes and adding more if you life it hotter.
Don’t skimp on the garlic — This dish thrives on bold, garlicky flavor.
Substitutions
- No basil? Use parsley or a touch of lemon zest for brightness.
- Swap the shrimp for scallops, cooked chicken, or even tofu for a vegetarian twist.
- Don’t have cannellini beans? Navy beans or butter beans would also be great.
Best Served With
I like serving pasta entrees with light salads or appetizers like these.
How to Store Leftovers
If there happens to be any leftover shrimp spaghetti, let it cool, then store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave with a splash of water to loosen the sauce.
🤔 Common Questions
Can I make this ahead of time?
You can prep the sauce and store it separately from the pasta. Cook the shrimp fresh and toss with pasta just before serving for the best texture.
Is this dish spicy?
Only if you want it to be! Calabrian chili flakes are optional — feel free to leave them out or swap in red pepper flakes to control the heat.
What kind of shrimp should I use?
Look for large, deveined shrimp (tail off if possible). Frozen shrimp works too — just thaw and pat dry before cooking.
What should I serve with this?
This is a full meal on its own, but a side salad or some crusty bread makes it even better!
Shrimp & Spaghetti Dinner
Ingredients
- 1.5 pounds shrimp, deveined & shelled
- 1.5 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
- 30 ounces grape tomatoes
- 2 cans cannellini beans, draine
- 1/2 tsp Calabrian chili flakes
- 1/2 cup fresh basil
- 3/4 pound spaghetti
Instructions
- Use scissors to cut the shrimp into small pieces. Season with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp pepper.
- Heat 1/4 cup olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and saute until golden brown, then add tomatoes. As soon as the tomatoes start to soften, use a potato masher to burst them.
- Bring a large pot of water to boil. Add the spaghetti and cook al dente.
- Add the cannellini beans, remaining salt and pepper, and the Calabrian chili flakes. let cook for 5 minutes, then remove one cup of the veggies and set aside.
- Add basil and shrimp and cook until shrimp turns pink and is cooked through.
- While the shrimp cooks, blend the reserved veggies until creamy. Add back to the pan with the shrimp and remove from the heat.
- Once the spaghetti is cooked al dente, about 8 to 10 minutes, drag the pasta from the pot into the pot with the shrimp. By dragging the pasta you bring some of the starchy water over which will help thicken the sauce.
- Mix pasta into the sauce and serve warm.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
