Published Apr 29, 2020 Updated Nov 03, 2024 This authentic Italian shrimp spaghetti is just like how it’s served in restaurants in Italy. I spoke to chefs, home cooks, and restaurateurs while traveling in Italy. I learned so much about cooking pasta and how to make easy shrimp pasta, just like the Italians! The recipe is 100% authentic, homemade, and takes less than 20 minutes. The taste is spot on, and this is the BEST pasta I have ever made in my life! For more easy shrimp recipes, check out my sauteed shrimp and Shrimp and Spinach Pasta recipes!
Cook the spaghetti al dente. Al dente in Italy is completely different from al dente in America. You want to under cook the spaghetti pasta slightly so every strand of has a firm bite. For the best results, use big shrimp or jumbo prawn. Shrimp imparts a sweet and briny taste to the sauce, making this recipe absolutely delicious. Do not use frozen shrimp in a bag. They are mostly tasteless and had been treated with chemicals. Buy fresh shrimp with shells and heads, if you can. I used frozen shrimp in a paper box from Asian stores, imported from Central America. I shelled and deveined the shrimp and butterflied them. They are sweet and briny, very close to the amazing sweet and fresh shrimp found in Italy. You may cut the shrimp into big pieces or butterfly the shrimp. I chose to butterfly them as they look pretty. Use Campari tomatoes for the best flavors as they are high in sugar level and low acidity.
Your main course begins with Primi, which includes various kinds and shapes of pasta, risotto, polenta and gnocchi. The course of meal continues to Secondi, which is a meat or seafood option. The rest of the meals include Contorni (Side Dishes), Insalata (Salad), Formaggi (Cheese), Dolce (Dessert), Caffe (Coffee) and Digestivo (Alcohol Drinks). Eating is a serious business in Italy and I absolutely love that. That’s why Italy is my #1 European country. I absolutely love Italy! I hope you enjoy this post as much as I do. If you try my recipe, please leave a comment and consider giving it a 5-star rating. For more easy and delicious recipes, explore my Recipe Index, and stay updated by subscribing to my newsletter and following me on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram for new updates.
